Times Square Hard Rock Hotel is a slap in the face to NYC

Just off of Times Square, on the block of 48th Avenue concerning Sixth and Seventh avenues, once stood Tunes Row.

From the 1930s to 2018, the place was house to eclectic shops like Sam Ash that marketed devices and other musical accouterments to the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones and The Beatles. Heard of ‘em?

There was very little else like it in New York Town or any place else in the entire world, for that subject.

At present, even so, I refer to that unhappy extend of asphalt and inexplicable mould odor as Chipotle Way or Scaffolding Avenue, relying on which side I enter from.

But 1 opportunistic, infamously tacky conglomerate would have you believe that that the iconic Tunes Row is back and flourishing. That greedy developing entrepreneurs did not boot out some of the very last vestiges of unique neighborhood character in Midtown in favor of bong shops and espresso bars. That Ringo Starr may roll up to obtain new drumsticks any working day now.

That would be the new Tricky Rock Hotel, the hottest outpost of the memorabilia and kitsch brand that remarkably however exists. It joins Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Resort, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and David and Buster’s as corporations that make me think, “Perhaps Mayor Adams must check out bringing back the XXX movie theaters and crack sellers!”

However by some means the Tricky Rock is the greatest slap in the face of all of those people schlock factories due to the fact it so flagrantly steals from the rubble it is standing atop. Just one of the a few theaters it properties is even referred to as “The Venue at Music Row.” Oh, be sure to.

Musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Ringo Starr made use of to shop on Music Row at retailers this kind of as Sam Ash.

Lorenzo Ciniglio for NY Write-up

Within, the Hard Rock is considerably far more sophisticated than its global brethren of lodgings and chicken-finger-loaded cafes. I searched and searched for a person of ZZ Top’s beards stapled to a wall, but did not even location stubble.

Then I squeamishly encountered the floor-floor Rock Shop, the place you simply cannot buy guitars from learn craftsmen who’ve honed their artwork for many years, but you can acquire property a Tricky Rock-branded sequined bomber jacket for $150. And for those people of you who definitely embrace the sex, medication and rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, decide on up a croissant in the nicely-lit attached bakery. 

Why not go even tougher, male? Up in your room you can do “RockOm” yoga, or have a Fender guitar sent for you to improperly engage in when filming Instagram movies — with headphones. Social gathering on, losers!

The next ground of the new resort has the usual music memorabilia all above its walls.

J. Messerschmidt for NY Article

Generating my way upstairs to the bar and restaurant, I started out to see the standard trinkets, but they designed me additional nauseous than in Florida or Las Vegas. New York, compared with Orlando, presently is a museum of new music history with out getting to resort to this kind of corporate gimmickry.

Powering a single glass pane was a adore letter sent by Frank Sinatra to his then-spouse Mia Farrow. Wonderful. But why not as a substitute go to a person of the Chairman of the Board’s beloved New York hangouts just a several blocks absent? The Russian Samovar on 52nd Road was after known as Jilly’s Canteen exactly where Sinatra would expend numerous a night time. The bar upstairs has been held as is — not knocked down and commodified by a 446-area lodge. 

Then there ended up Lady Gaga’s silver boots she wore to the 2018 Grammy Awards. The Minimal Monsters are surely plotting to steal them even now. As an alternative of receiving arrested, head down to the Bitter Conclusion in the West Village, where by Gaga carried out when she was nonetheless termed Stefani Germanotta.

The handwritten lyrics to John Lennon’s “New York City” are on screen, but you can encounter John Lennon’s New York Metropolis by viewing the Dakota.

J. Messerschmidt Getty Visuals

John Lennon’s 1971 handwritten lyrics to “New York City” are a sweet obtain. Much more relocating, and chilling to this day, nevertheless, is standing outside the Dakota, the place the Beatle lived and was murdered by Mark David Chapman.

Each and every block in this city has a tale like that. I just learned that I wander by Bob Dylan’s to start with NYC apartment every single one working day (161 West 4th Road) and had no clue. But, oh, the Hard Rock has a person of his guitars, so why trouble venturing outside of the neon lights of Midtown, with its comforting Krispy Kreme and brutally scorched meats on a bun?

Occasions Square is quick turning into Epcot with criminal offense, or Las Vegas devoid of a miniaturized St. Mark’s Sq.. It’s a travesty.

Here’s the cold, Difficult Rock truth: The Crossroads of the Globe really should maintain on to extra things that are proudly, unmistakably and unapologetically New York. And screw the relaxation.

Times Square Hard Rock Hotel is a slap in the face to NYC