Mumbai’s first Hard Rock Cafe in Worli, sister-brand Shiro shut down

Hard Rock Cafe and Shiro – two of the most popular hangout spots in Mumbai’s Worli area – shut down earlier this month.

Both establishments, run by JSM Corporation and housed at Bombay Dyeing Compound at Worli, downed their shutters after a successful run spanning more than a decade.

Hard Rock Cafe in Worli started back in 2006 and was the first outlet of the iconic brand in Mumbai. Adorning its walls were memorabilia from the who’s who of the music industry.

Over the years, it gained the reputation of the go-to place for music lovers in the city. From bringing international talent to promoting local bands, Hard Rock Cafe became the mecca for rock fans in the city.

Even Shiro, JSM’s in-house brand, made a mark for itself, emerging as one of the most popular and successful Asian gastro-bars in Mumbai.

After operating out of the same premises since inception, both brands vacated the premises earlier this month, allegedly over rent issues.

“Hard Rock Cafe and Shiro were tenants of Bombay Dyeing compound for over 15 years and we had valued our relationship with them. The rentals had remained constant for over five years. But following rent defaults, we were left with no option but to terminate their contract. Both restaurants have vacated the said premises,” a spokesperson for Bombay Dyeing told Mumbai Mirror.

The allegations, however, were denied by JSM Corporation.

“The contract was not terminated because of a default at our end. The reasons for termination are purely commercial in nature,” their spokesperson told the daily.

Fortunately for patrons, the closure isn’t permanent and the company is already looking for alternate locations. JSM Corporation co-founder Sanjay Mahtani expects the cafe to re-open by mid-2019.

In the interim, Hard Rock International’s franchise in Andheri will continue to cater to rock lovers in Mumbai.