By Zaki Salleh
IPOH — Rumours of the closure of the international entertainment franchise, Hard Rock Cafe (HRC) Ipoh, have been circulating since early this week.
The speculation followed a Facebook post by Scott’s Hard Rock, a well-known figure among rock music enthusiasts and Hard Rock fans, claiming that HRC Ipoh will cease operations on December 1, 2025, just a little over a year since its opening.
The reported closure is due to a lack of visitors, which has made it difficult for the business to cover its operational costs.
Although HRC Ipoh’s management has yet to issue an official statement, signs of a possible shutdown have become more apparent after the outlet recently announced a clearance sale of official Hard Rock merchandise.
If the rumours are true, the news will likely impact Ipoh’s identity as a city of arts, particularly within the tourism sector.
For many locals, however, the news is hardly surprising.
“Lack of promotion, few events, and most people don’t even know there’s a Hard Rock in Ipoh,” said a social media user in a post shared with Ipoh Echo/Peraktastic.
Some locals believe that HRC’s concept and atmosphere, typically associated with nightlife and international tourists, do not quite align with Ipoh’s more laid-back, family-oriented lifestyle.
Many Ipoh residents were also unaware of HRC’s presence due to its hidden location, compounded by the absence of clear signage leading to the venue, except for the name Palo 101.
“Palo 101? What is that supposed to mean? There should’ve been proper signage or billboards indicating Hard Rock Cafe Ipoh at the city’s main entry and exit points.
“Instead, old posters are still hanging around. If HRC Ipoh is indeed closing, it’s a loss for Perak’s tourism industry,” said local tourism activist Syed Shabudin Syed Mokhtar.
Others expressed disappointment, lamenting the loss of yet another global icon that could have enlivened Ipoh’s entertainment scene.
“Ipoh is growing as a tourism destination. The presence of an international brand like Hard Rock should have been given more time to flourish,” said a local music fan.
HRC Ipoh began operations on June 16, 2023, with the opening of The Rock Shop, which sold official Hard Rock merchandise, followed by the café’s launch in December of the same year.
At its debut, the café was expected to become a new tourism attraction and stimulate the local economy, particularly in conjunction with the Visit Perak Year 2024 celebration.
With Ipoh’s reputation as a hipster city, HRC was believed to possess its own unique appeal.
However, insufficient marketing and a less visible location reportedly contributed to the lack of visitors, including tourists.
If the closure does materialise, the sound of guitars and neon lights of Hard Rock Cafe Ipoh may soon be nothing more than a memory.
At the very least, it was a bold attempt to bring the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll into the heart of an historic city, albeit at the wrong time and place.
