My Tour of Hard Rock Cafe Nashville: More than Great Food; Surprising Wedding Space, Service & View

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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

i met Courtney Gleaves, Sales and Marketing Manager for Hard Rock Cafe Nashville, over lunch where she gave me a tour of the restaurant and its event spaces. I haven't been to a Hard Rock Cafe since I visited the Washington DC location in 1997. Before she contacted me, I had no idea that it was even rentable for weddings and events.

Courtney was a great host, showing me all around, treating me to lunch and giving me an overview of the company's history and mission. She was especially proud the the company's commitment to stellar service and charity, donating millions to end hunger. I asked what steps the company takes to cultivate customer service focused employees and she shared with me their unique training program that requires all levels of management to walk in the shoes of other employees - including wait staff, cooks, etc.

I liked that concept and philanthropic nature but was curious as to whether their mission was theory or was actually being embodied by the staff. It sounded all rainbows and fairy dust. Although I was happy with my interactions throughout the day - from the valet guy to my server - I was curious as to how well the team lived up to their mission when a "bridal blogger" wasn't around:). Anyone can treat one person well, when they think that person matters. But what's most important to me is that my brides, their families and guests are treated well. That's a tall order!

hard rock wedding nashville

On New Year's Eve, I decided to attend a party at Hard Rock with my then beau. (We've since broken up but luckily for Hard Rock, it had nothing to do with their NYE party. I don't think!:))

The party was fantastic! The service was top notch. Every Hard Rock employee that we encountered that night was happy, which makes a difference. It was like Disney for adults. They weren't just pleasant but were helpful. As you can imagine, the bar was super busy but the bartenders were attentive and courteous and even made recommendations. The were unflappable, even with the hectic nature of the night. They served entrees all night long and the food was inventive and well presented.

We had a blast and even bumped into other wedding pros like Scoobie and Lisa of Scoobie Photographic Images and Sarah of Music City Events.

And the view - awesome! We were able to enjoy all of the activities taking place on Broadway via their oversized balcony but were also able to retreat inside to the private space that was equipped with a private entrance, stage, and full bar.

What does my experience on NYE have to do with your wedding? If you are seeking a perfectly placed downtown location that is all about food and service that just happens to have a great view and great spaces, you definitely want to add Hard Rock to your short list of venues to consider. The spaces are more than you would expect and the team at Hard Rock is dedicated to ensuring you have a wonderful event - from rehearsal dinners, bachelor parties to wedding receptions. Plus, Hard Rock is all about music and love and which are great themes for a Nashville destination weddings.