Hard Rock Hotel London review and 3rd Half sports bar UK

Hard Rock Hotel London and Hard Rock Cafe

(Image credit: Hard Rock)

published 8 February 2023

As a hospitality brand Hard Rock has come a long way since its first cafe was opened in London in 1971. Combining music and memorabilia with food and entertainment, the company’s portfolio has grown in 52 years to now include live music venues, shops, casinos, hotels and resorts.

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On arrival and walking into the hotel’s entrance, you are welcomed by a huge open-plan space which is “peak-Hard Rock”. There’s the reception area and lobby, Hard Rock Cafe and live music stage, the Rock Shop, GMT Bar, 3rd Half sports bar and the 24-hour Constant Grind coffee outlet, as well as countless items of legendary musical memorabilia. Other amenities at the hotel include the Rock Royalty lounge and Body Rock gym.

It’s fashionable to write about no- and low-alcohol drinks and food which is more on the lighter and healthier side, but sometimes a beer, cocktail, burger and wings is just what’s required. Sporting-themed food items on the menu at 3rd Half include the Messi burger (created by Señor Lionel himself), hat trick wings, break point hot dog, and the grand slam combo. There’s also a range of pizza, sharing plates, burgers, big dogs and “home run” desserts.

Drinks-wise, the bar had some decent ales on tap as well as lager, cider, wine and a huge number of spirits. There’s also the signature range of cocktails, including the “Big Kablue-Na”, which has Malibu coconut rum, Blue Curaçao, piña colada mix and lime juice. One-nil to the bar staff I’d say. As someone who likes a pint of Guinness, especially during international rugby time, not having the black stuff on draught may be a little bit of an own goal. Saying that, there are plenty of tipples to enjoy here while watching the big match on the screens.

The term “destination hotel” has been bandied about quite a bit in recent years, but the Hard Rock has nailed it in London. The fact that you can watch a match and enjoy a drink at the 3rd Half, walk a few steps to the cafe for dinner, have a sing-along with the band, and then finish the night off with a cocktail at GMT – that’s all before retiring to your room – proves the point. With so many good options to eat, drink and ultimately, sleep, the biggest decision you may have to make is whether to leave the hotel at all.

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Mike Starling is the former digital features editor at The Week. He started his career in 2001 in Gloucestershire as a sports reporter and sub-editor and has held various roles as a writer and editor at news, travel and B2B publications. He has spoken at a number of sports business conferences and also worked as a consultant creating sports travel content for tourism boards. International experience includes spells living and working in Dubai, UAE; Brisbane, Australia; and Beirut, Lebanon.