Hard Rock Cafe Chicago
63 W Ontario St., Chicago, IL, 60654
A popular outpost of the worldwide restaurant chain, Hard Rock Café Chicago has served Windy City locals and visitors since 1986. Hard Rock Café is popular among diners of all stripes, thanks to offerings that include but aren’t limited to: burgers, steaks, and hearty mains; drinks and happy-hour deals; its live music; and a collection of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia.
The basics
The Hard Rock Café’s dates back to 1971, when its first location opened in London. Shortly after, musicians such as Eric Clapton and The Who’s Pete Townshend began donating their instruments to the venue—and the rest is history. Today, the Hard Rock Café is home to the world’s largest collection of rock collectibles, and the Chicago location features objects once owned by Billy Joel, Jimi Hendrix, and Prince.
Conveniently located in Downtown Chicago—and unmissable with its enormous, illuminated guitar out front—the Hard Rock Café Chicago serves a range of hot food and drinks. Book in advance to guarantee your spot, or purchase a voucher online for an even more seamless experience.
Things to know before you go
Looking for a souvenir? Head to the on-site Rock Shop, where you can buy Hard Rock Café Chicago T-shirts and other gift items.
For dinner and a show, swing by the Hard Rock Café Chicago on Fridays and Saturdays, when it hosts live music performances.
Want to take to the stage yourself? Every Thursday, the Hard Rock Café Chicago hosts DJ-soundtracked karaoke sessions.
How to get there
The Hard Rock Café Chicago is located at 63 W Ontario Street, in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, just a few blocks west of Michigan Avenue. The nearest L station is Grand Street on the Red Line, and the area is also served by several bus lines and the Chicago Water Taxi (which stops at the Michigan Avenue ferry terminal).
When to get there
Hard Rock Café Chicago is open daily, from lunchtime until late in the evening—time your visit for late afternoon for happy hour specials. The Hard Rock Café is particularly crowded during the summer high season and on weekends, while Chicago Restaurant Week (held every January) is a good time to take advantage of set-menu deals.
Memorabilia to look out for
Every Hard Rock Café location displays objects and instruments once owned by famous musicians, and Chicago’s is no exception. Some of its particular highlights include a purple shirt worn by Prince, a music box formerly owned by Elvis, a signed guitar from Stevie Ray Vaughn, and an outfit that belonged to Madonna. See if you can spot them all during your visit.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!