Get ready to add to your T-shirt collection. The iconic Rock-memorabilia-infused tourist favorite Hard Rock Cafe is now open in Cincinnati’s freshly rebranded Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati (formerly JACK Casino). And, yes, that means you can get your official Hard Rock Cafe Cincinnati shirt. The cafe — which exclusively welcomes those 21 and older, opened to the public on July 15.

The first Hard Rock Cafe premiered in London in 1971, and the brand now has more than 185 locations in over 74 countries.

Along with collectibles, the cafe offers lunch and dinner with a focus on fresh-ground burgers and cocktails. A release says the Cincinnati location will “continually” update its menu with limited-time offerings.

“Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati is excited to share Hard Rock Cafe with Greater Cincinnati. It’s a concept that is unique to Greater Cincinnati and an experience that is legendary,” says the release.

Detroit-based JACK Entertainment LLC sold the 100,000 square-foot JACK Casino Cincinnati to Hard Rock International and VICI Properties Inc. in a deal that was first announced back in April 2019.

VICI will own the property and lease it for $43 million a year to Hard Rock, which will operate the casino’s 1,800 slot and other gaming machines and 100 tables as well as its 33,000 square feet of conference space, six restaurants and two bars. That lease will be for 35 years, with an initial 15-year lease and four five-year extensions.

Photos by Hailey Bollinger
Exterior of the casino with signature guitar Hailey Bollinger
Inside Hard Rock Cafe Hailey Bollinger
Dining space around the bar Hailey Bollinger
Another space for drinks Hailey Bollinger
Overlooking dining room and stage, featuring a performance by Cincinnati-based band Soul Pocket Hailey Bollinger
Soul Pocket performing on the new cafe stage Hailey Bollinger
Soul Pocket Hailey Bollinger
Soul Pocket Hailey Bollinger
Dining space looking towards the bar Hailey Bollinger
The performance space Hailey Bollinger
Memorabilia line the walls Hailey Bollinger
The bar Hailey Bollinger
Giant guitar on ceiling of cafe Hailey Bollinger
Grand reveal of the cafe Hailey Bollinger
More memorabilia at entrance of cafe Hailey Bollinger
Hard Rock’s memorabilia Hailey Bollinger
Patio bar and seating Hailey Bollinger
Have a seat Hailey Bollinger
The “Burger Room” Hailey Bollinger
Making Hard Rock’s famous burgers Hailey Bollinger
Folks lining up to dine in the new cafe Hailey Bollinger
One of the first customers posing with Hard Rock Cafe gals Hailey Bollinger
Exterior of the casino Hailey Bollinger