Hard Rock Cafe marks 50th anniversary by turning back clock to 1971

Diners were served a classic menu of burgers, ribs and cola floats at 1971 prices as London’s Hard Rock Cafe marked its 50th birthday.

Some of the original waitresses returned for the special occasion while blue-checked tablecloths and a jukebox restored the restaurant’s original look.

The special menu boasted a burger for 50p, roadhouse ribs for 80p and a hot fudge sundae for 40p.

The ‘Hard Rock Harley’, the original motorcycle which was behind the bar when it first opened, will also be in the restaurant’s Rock Shop for the next month.

Katrina Clarke, who has worked at the Hard Rock for 36 years, said: “It’s really amazing to see the decor restored, and the menu with its 1970s prices is just great. We’ve had an hour-and-a-half-long queue all day.

“Back when I started in 1985 this place was really a home from home for Americans visiting the UK, now we are one of the top tourist destinations but it’s still a friendly, welcoming place and people feel at home here.”

The 60-year-old veteran waitress, who continues to work there four days a week, added: “People come here for the food but also to have a picture with Eric Clapton’s guitar or go into the vaults and see their favourite rock memorabilia.

“It really is a special place which is why many of us have worked here for so long.”