Hard Rock Cafe Orlando is inside the Universal Orlando Resort City Walk dining, shopping, and entertainment complex. It opened in 1990 and includes the namesake restaurant and a 3,000-person live music venue. Local bands, global acts, and other live events fill the venue’s calendar. The restaurant is open all year for patrons.
The coolest part about Hard Rock Cafe Orlando is that it’s within Universal City Walk, which means you can enhance your visit with stops at other restaurants, bars, and shops. You can make a reservation at the multistory restaurant, but it’s not necessary. When live events happen, the merchandise stand is opposite the bar. It’s best to shop preshow as the postshow queues can add an hour or so of waiting to check out.
This location has more music memorabilia than any other Hard Rock Cafe.
There’s a secret off-menu drink list for late-night happy hour; look online for the monthly passwords.
The concert hall gets rented out for private events throughout the year; call ahead to schedule a tour.
Hard Rock Cafe Orlando is inside Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida. The resort is accessible by private car from Interstate 4 by taking the Kirkman Road exit toward FL-435/S Kirkman Rd. You can also take a taxi or rideshare to the resort entrance, walk from a nearby hotel, or take the official shuttle from a Universal Orlando resort hotel.
The official parking garage for Universal Studios Resort will frequently allow free parking in the evenings, helping you save money when coming to Hard Rock for a nighttime event. If you’re visiting for a meal, prepare to wait the longest for a table on weekends and evenings. The best time to come to Hard Rock Cafe is in the afternoon on a weekday.
It's easy to miss little details in the huge Universal CityWalk dining and entertainment complex. One of its coolest features is a piece of the Berlin Wall subtly placed behind the restaurant. When facing Hard Rock Cafe Orlando, go around the right side as if you’re walking towards the Blue Man Group theater. Follow the path to find a section of the Berlin Wall.
