Hard Rock Café Moving to Bourbon in Early 2013

Hard Rock Café is moving to the first block of Bourbon Street sometime in early 2013, the Times-Pic reported last night. The Chateau Bourbon Hotel, currently in that spot, will be rebranded as a Hyatt property by early May, while Hard Rock will continue operating on North Peters Street until moving to Bourbon Street early next year. From the Times-Pic:

"We envision that this will be a major upgrade to the first block of Bourbon Street," [HRI Properties VP Steve] Nance said, noting that the site has lacked stability since it debuted as a high-end jazz club that later became a honky-tonk featuring a mechanical bull.

It currently houses Howl at the Moon. Hard Rock is inheriting a "10,000-square-foot location, which will include a performance area along with its trademark walls festooned with rock 'n' roll memorabilia."

The hotel, which actually fronts onto Canal Street, will also include a gourmet popcorn store and a frozen yogurt shop with the hideous name FroYo. No word yet on what might take over Hard Rock's current space, next door to the French Connection on North Peters.

· Hard Rock Cafe Will Move from Decatur to Canal Street [TP]