About Us
Welcome to the world of Hard Rock Cafe shot glass collecting. This is our hobby and this site is an attempt to catalog every shot glass that has been released over the years by each location.
For the most part, many of us have been collecting for a number of years now. We all have a story of how we started collecting them: as a souvenir from a trip, as a token of our conquest over tequila or because a friend or family member went on an expensive trip without us and all we got was the "stupid" shot glass. Regardless, we've come to enjoy the collection and challenge of chasing the last one down (figuratively and literally!). For some of us, the hobby is a bit of obsession while others are only out to collect a select group of the collection.
Due to the hobby we've come to know each other, whether through the Yahoo group (link below), meeting up at cafes or from buying or selling on eBay. We're a fairly diverse group with members in different parts of the world, occupations and social structure (we're not the comic book geek living in mom and pop's basement...not that there's anything wrong with that).
This hobby certainly rocks but one of the best things has been the community and friendship we've found with fellow collectors. We're open to new memberships (free discussion group on Yahoo - link below) so if this website is useful and interesting, consider joining us! Ask questions, buy or trade shots with fellow collectors.
We are also on Facebook! Come trade on-line! Many of us also collect other Hard Rock Cafe merchandise and we all like to hang out at the Cafes (why drink alone?). If you're visiting a HR Cafe, make a post on one of our FB sites or Yahoo group and maybe someone will be in the area to meet up to talk shots or just have a drink!
Tidbits
We have done a fair bit of things as a group. Like visiting different cafes (road trip!), held private parties and met up for dinner or drinks. We conduct random collector polls, trade shots, develop friendships, travel and check out as many HR Cafes as we can! There are annual events at which we also like to support a local charity. There is far more to this group than drinking, despite all the silly comments spread around like "lies" on this site. *Snicker* (or was that a hiccup?)
A poll held in 2013 for Top Ten most sought after shots put Bristol Bar in the #1 slot. Crazy hard to get! Read More
On-Line Island Guitar shot 2009 came in at #8. Due to quality issues most purchases were cancelled.
Before spellcheck this beauty made it onto Rock Shop shelves... but was quickly pulled from sale. Most wanted #4.
The first official shot event was held in 2002 in Toronto, Canada and was a 2 part event - a visit to the now closed Skydome Cafe (we watched a baseball game from the Hard Rock Cafe) and at the Toronto Cafe.
Many events followed and most included a road trip to hit up additional cafes (going to hit them all someday!). We're not without culture either as we like to get to know the city we are visiting. We like to go to baseball games, hockey games, War Memorials, museums and even a Hard Rock Cafe that isn't the official version (but they had the name first in the US!). We've hit Bourbon Street, picked out cigars, taken a wine tour in Nappa Valley, hit the casinos in Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas and Biloxi and stood on a bar or two at a Hard Rock Cafe. Hey, we've even been to the White House!
Now one can't forget we collect shot glasses that serve an original purpose. What is a shot glass collecting group supposed to do with all that alcohol at the bar? Why name a King and Queen of Shots of course! We have had some wild contests - who can drink the most (it got bad!) and who can drink the fastest... with surprise concoctions (some yummy and some not so good). I still hold "Pitbull on Crack" as the worst drink E-V-E-R but others might comment Rumple Minze peppermint liqueur packs a mean punch! One thing always remains true though, one man and one woman will bear the title of King and Queen for a year!
In all seriousness, many of us have made some great friendships through collecting. Even those people who have scaled back or left the hobby are still in contact. The comradery has been great, which leaves only another reason to throw back a nice shot of something something followed by a pineapple wedge bite. Take it from the experts, give it a try - you'll never go back to lime! Cheers!
Giving back
We do our best to support a local charity when we're together as a group for a shot or pin event. These are some of the charities we've raised money for in the past! After Florida, events have been held with other collectors and the Cafes have conducted the charities.
Hollywood and Ft. Lauderdale, FL Cafe, 2010
(Not disclosed) In memory of shot collector Andy Juhl
Pittsburgh Cafe 2009
$1,317 Make A Wish Foundation
New Orleans Cafe 2008
(Not disclosed) Habitat for Humanity Mucicians Village
Denver 2007
$2,500 American Cancer Society
Louisville Cafe
$1,800 Kentucky School for the Blind
Indianaplis Cafe
$1,562 Riley Hospital for Children
Baltimore Cafe
$1,693 Habitat for Humanity
Austin and San Antonio Cafes
$3,841 American Heart Association
In Memory of shot collector Richard Chavez Jr.
Toronto and Skydome Cafes 2002
$1,000 Canadian Cancer Society