Newcastle’s Hard Rock Café is officially open! We meet one of the maestros behind the magic, Tanya Hugo

Founded in London almost 50 years ago (its their birthday in June), Hard Rock boasts a legendary chain of cafés, hotels, casinos and resorts across the globe – all of which famously make classic music memorabilia and live performances centre-stage. As Director of Operations Europe & Africa, Tanya is in charge of more than 50 of them, across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South-East Asia.

‘It’s quite unusual being a woman in an executive role, right?’ she says. ‘I’m the only woman on the operations team. But my colleagues have always respected me and my bosses really believe in me. They’ve allowed me the freedom to do what I think is right, within brand guidelines, and to innovate constantly and always think of better ways to do business. Even more so now, with COVID. Everyone has been forced to reinvent themselves to a certain extent and look at different ways of maintaining the hospitality industry. But with new challenges come new opportunities.’

And while it’s undoubtedly a role that has its pressures, as we look about in awe around the transformed Guildhall building, Tanya can’t help but gush about her employer and the work she gets to do day in, day out.

‘It’s a brand with the most incredible personality,’ she tells us. ‘If I look at other casual dining restaurants, I don’t think there’s another brand out there that has the character and the culture that we have. You can talk with people anywhere in the world and you’ll always find someone who loves Hard Rock.

Secured by local healthcare entrepreneurs David and Penny Tilly, Newcastle’s Hard Rock Café promises to be a huge coup for tourism in the region and has oodles of Geordie charm – whether that be from the local artists who have donated memorabilia for its walls, or the local delicacies which have inspired its menu (we’re looking at you, Whey Aye Burger). But having seen her fair share of Hard Rock openings in plenty of exotic locations around the world, how does the North East’s outpost compare with the likes of Paris, Barcelona and Johannesburg?

And while these pieces from our local legends really did make this little slice of the Hard Rock pie feel like home, we were also really impressed to see memorabilia displayed by huge international artists in the café – think dresses worn by Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift and Aretha Franklin, a guitar signed by all of AC/DC and another played by Slash (of Guns N’ Roses fame), and even a love letter written by the late, great Amy Winehouse.

And there are plenty of bangin’ bevs to wash everything down with, too. Along with a selection of bottled beers and wines, you can enjoy a range of boozy milkshakes and signature cocktails here, including the Hurricane – a 1940s New Orleans classic, comprised of Bacardi Superior Rum, a blend of orange, mango, pineapple juice and grenadine, and finished with a float of Captain Morgan Dark Rum and Amaretto. Which, funnily enough, is what Tanya orders next.

Make that two, please.

To find out more about Newcastle’s brand new Hard Rock Café or to book your visit, visit their website, Facebook page or Instagram

Or check it out for yourself: Hard Rock Café Newcastle, The Guildhall, Sandhill, Quayside, Newcastle NE1 3AF