PHOTOS: Kiefer Sutherland helps celebrate Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls' grand reopening

Actor & singer headlined party celebrating new ownership, new era under LIVE! Incorporated

Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls celebrated its grand reopening on Tuesday, marking the official beginning of a new chapter for one of downtown Niagara Falls’ most recognizable dining and entertainment destinations.

The celebration took place at the restaurant, memorabilia hub, and home to the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, at 333 Prospect St., bringing together community leaders, tourism partners, invited guests and media to celebrate the cafe’s next era.

Special guest Kiefer Sutherland performed a half-dozen songs and participated in a brief ceremony with world-renowned artist Philip Burke, who painted the actor/musician and his 1956 Gibson 336 guitar in 2024.

Kiefer Sutherland on stage at the Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls.

Sutherland thanked Burke for including that particular instrument.

He shared, “I went into a guitar store on Denmark Street,” in London. “I was trying a bunch of guitars. If I find a guitar that's specifically warm, I don't want a heavy sound. I don't want a brittle, clean sound. I just want something that's going to be a pad under the vocal – not easily achieved. This guitar, I was playing it, and it was one of those fantastic moments where I'm like (makes hedging noises), and I flipped on the amp, and (makes hedging noises), ‘Oh wow, OK.’ And then, turn up the volume, and then just played power chords all the way up the neck. I'm like, ‘Oh no. Oh no.’ Because a 1956 anything is expensive, and I'm like, ‘Oh $hit! I'm gonna buy this!’

“And so, I ended up doing two tours with it, and then I put it away because I loved it so much that I didn't want something to happen. So, I'm so thrilled that you used this guitar.”

Burke said he painted the guitar in a particular manner to capture Sutherland’s soul. The instrument’s bend is “how the guitar is responding to you. You get a little nudging.”

“Yeah, that's great,” Sutherland said. “And the truth is, I play like that. There's some guys that play right, like, in the pocket like that; and I play much more on a kind of classical out like that. So, that's a great observation.”

Burke later added, “When asked to paint Kiefer Sutherland, I started watching videos of him on YouTube and became aware of his talent as a musician.

“I have always thought that he would be a wonderful subject to paint, because of how he shares his warm heart. He was truly a joy to paint! Little did I know at that time that the guitar I chose to paint him with dated back to the year I was born and that it is one of his prized possessions. It became a wonderful symbol of that warmth of spirit he exudes.”

Artist Philip Burke poses and chats with Kiefer Sutherland at the Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls. Burke painted a portrait of Sutherland with the actor/singer’s 1956 guitar.

Sutherland, who starred in TV’s “24” and “Designated Survivor,” and on the big screen in “The Lost Boys,” “Flatliners” and “A Few Good Men,” recently released his fourth album, titled “Grey.”

Speaking of the new material, “The songs were written and recorded over a two-year period from 2024 to 2026,” he said on his website. “In many ways these songs mark a growth for me personally, as I wrote less about observations and more about personal feelings that I have been navigating in my own life.”

Sutherland also shared samples of his Red Bank Whisky line at the Hard Rock.

LIVE! Incorporated President Michael DiCienzo with City of Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino.

Michael DiCienzo & LIVE! Incorporated

Effective Sept. 1, LIVE! Incorporated, led by president and owner Michael DiCienzo, assumed operations of Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls as part of a new, 20-year franchise agreement.

The partnership brings together Hard Rock's globally recognized legacy of music, entertainment and hospitality with LIVE! Incorporated's long-standing investment in the Niagara Falls tourism and hospitality market.

"We are incredibly honored that Hard Rock has entrusted us with this historic opportunity," DiCienzo said. "Hard Rock Cafe has been a part of Niagara Falls for nearly three decades, and our goal is to preserve everything guests and employees love while continuing to invest in its future. We look forward to growing the business, supporting our team members and creating new experiences that will continue attracting visitors from around the world."

Among those in attendance were City of Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino and Assemblyman Angelo Morinello.

LIVE! Incorporated Vice President Doug Birrell served as emcee. He said, “This is an exciting time for the city and for our company.”

He said, “This Hard Rock Cafe opened its doors in July of 1996 and, for three decades, it's proudly lived up to its motto,” of “Love All-Serve All” and “Save The Planet.”

Birrell noted, “Hard Rock has never franchised in the United States, and has entrusted Michael and LIVE! Incorporated to become the first franchise partner in all the U.S. He is finalizing discussions on becoming the master U.S. franchise partner and acquire up to 18 Hard Rock Cafes throughout the U.S. in the next three years. This includes Times Square; San Francisco at PIER 39; Las Vegas; Foxwoods Casino; New Orleans; and Hollywood, California, at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, just to mention a few.”

He added, “Michael and his family are consummate hotel and hospitality developers, owners, and operators, with a very diverse portfolio, which includes hotels, resorts, restaurants, attractions, casinos, live music, and event production, operating on both sides of the border. …

“Michael has a deep belief in Niagara Falls, New York, and has demonstrated this with his investments and developments over the last decade.

As part of a “spirit of energy” and “innovation” coming to the iconic cafe, Birrell pointed out a rendering of the planned “Aerobar” addition at Hard Rock.

“It's an extraordinary experience where guests are able to enjoy a drink 130 feet in the air while taking in breathtaking views of Niagara Falls,” he said.

The DiCienzo family has helped shape Niagara Falls' hospitality landscape since 1996, building a strong record of investment, development and guest-focused operations in the market.

LIVE! Incorporated owns and operates a portfolio of hospitality, dining and attraction destinations throughout Niagara Falls, including the LIVE! On Air Fallsview Balloon Ride, Sheraton Niagara Falls, Wyndham Garden at Niagara Falls, Rainforest Cafe, Steelbound Brewery & Distillery, Chill 443 and Starbucks locations.

The company has also announced plans to redevelop the former Howard Johnson hotel into The Freddy, a Tribute by Marriott property featuring new dining, entertainment and rooftop experiences.

A look inside the Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls.

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‘Outstanding steward’ for Hard Rock

Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls has been part of downtown Niagara Falls since opening in 1996. The music-inspired venue features seating for approximately 250 guests, a live entertainment stage and private event space capable of accommodating receptions of up to approximately 350 people.

The reopening celebration offered guests a first look at that next chapter, with LIVE! Incorporated planning to build upon the cafe's established identity while creating new opportunities for live entertainment, special events, community partnerships and memorable guest experiences in downtown Niagara Falls.

The unveiling of Burke's portrait of Sutherland reflects the connection between music, art and entertainment that has long been at the heart of the Hard Rock experience.

"LIVE! Incorporated is exactly the type of partner we look for," said Eric Martino, president of Hard Rock Cafes. "Their long-standing commitment to Niagara Falls, proven operational success, and passion for creating memorable guest experiences make them an outstanding steward for this location. Hard Rock's energy and LIVE! Incorporated's vision are a natural fit, and we are excited about what the future holds."

GM/Managing Editor Joshua Maloni contributed to this report and took the photos.

A look inside the Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls.