THEME RESTAURANTS

Most modern "concept" restaurants specialize in either music, movies, sports or videogame themes. In the early 1990s, theme restaurant chains sprung up all over the globe. Investors got rich quick by following in the footsteps of Hard Rock Cafes and sports bars. But the fad appears to have reached a peak. The public became jaded with these mini-Disney Adventurelands and Tomorrowlands, and profits sunk. In most cases, the places had stimulating atmosphere but only mediocre food. In the late 1990s, many theme restaurants went under and many chains cut back on locations. Quite a few ambitious projects never got past the drawing board because of the substantial initial capital needed for the start-up of a "bells and whistles" flagship. See this article for more about the trend. Unlike the creative and unique theme restaurants of the past (e.g., Clifton’s Pacific Seas, The Brookdale Lodge and Bernstein's Fish Grotto), these modern variations have risen from blatant franchising ambitions. Therefore, rather than focusing on creating a better and more exciting dining experience, management is consumed with creating an efficient, reproducible model. Here are some examples of survivors and casualties: American Wilderness Experience (wilderness theme, now closed?) The Big Apple (NYC theme concept, not yet open) Burp Castle (monastery theme bar) Cafe Odyssey (various "environments", closed) Crash Cafe (crash and disaster themes, closed) Dive! (submarine theme, closed) Jekyll and Hyde Club (Jekyll and Hyde theme, open) Jungle Jim's (jungle theme, open) Mars 2112: 1, 2 (trip to Mars theme, open) Medieval Times: 1, 2 (medieval theme, open) Medieval Manor (medieval theme, open) Morgan's Forest (forest theme, open) Pirate's Dinner Adventure (pirate theme, open) Rainforest Cafe (rainforest theme, open) Tantra Restaurant and Lounge (sensuality theme, open)

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