I can't help but having to think that the table cloths look really Bavarian... and thus kind-of un-Hard-Rock-ish.

(http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayern)

Actually, whenever table clothes are used at the Hard Rock, they are either blue or red striped gingham checks... just like those used here. So, since this is the "Hard Rock Style," this means they are actually VERY Hard-Rock-ish!!

:-)

Collecting HRC's is an interesting travel hobby.

I find myself collecting Starbuck's. Not out of any particular devotion to the coffee behemoth, but rather that they tend to be conveniently located and inevitable.

My most useful travel Starbuck's was the one next to the Hackescher Markt in Berlin. It had free WiFi when I was there, thus making the €1.80 drip coffee a relative bargain and establishing it as my base of operations.

My most exotic Starbucks was the one in the Forbidden City. If you start by the big gates with the portraits of Mao, and move inwards through the palaces, you'll see it in the middle of the complex on the right. Yes, Starbucks inside the Forbidden City. I saved the register receipt - it read "Forbidden Starbucks".

it is nice knowing Hard Rock Cafe and Starbucks can always bring you "home". BTW...was there another Starbucks across the street from the first you mentioned? i heard that is a thing they love to do.

There are Starbucks e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e, just like McDonalds.

This kind of depresses me, because just when you start to get the feel for being someplace foreign, you walk around a corner and BAM! There's a piece of Americana for you. :-(

Usually, there are Starbucks next to Starbucks because they don't want to have any competition. They worry that if there is a different coffee company across the street, lazy Americans won't want to walk the extra distance and buy from a competitor. Sadly, they are probably right. In Seattle, you can stand at certain points and see four or five Starbucks, all within view!

It's been ages since I visited a number of Hard Rock Cafés, so they might have changed decorations since. But I never noticed the Bavarian theme... perhaps I've been to places with the red pattern – which is exactly what I would have expected.

Hi, Dave.
I visited Beijing this August, too.

I'm collecting Hard Rock Cafe visits too, (and a shot glass from each). I've just read through most of your hard rock entries and I'm so way behind. My last visit however was to the (forever opening soon!) Oslo cafe, and nearly all was great, friendly, food good and great memorabelia! We went to the shop to get my shot glass and was devastated to find out that they were sold out! phrrrt! I wonder how I can wangle another trip to Norway...... x

Passed there so many times in a taxi but never been in. Think I'll check it out next time.
Why so empty looking? Early doors?

Yep, I like arriving early so I can look around without distraction.