Tasty tunes: Kiss frontman Gene Simmons. Picture: Reuters
Perth's fast-expanding restaurant scene could soon include a string of global music-themed chains, including a franchise backed by Kiss frontman Gene Simmons.
Simmons' Rock and Brews, Hard Rock Cafe and Cafe del Mar have all expressed an interest in expanding into WA.
Hard Rock Cafe and Cafe del Mar have a presence on the east coast but a Perth-based Rock and Brews restaurant would be the franchise's first foray into Australia.
The West Australian understands the groups' interest was prompted by Tourism WA's "destination Perth" strategy, launched in March.
All three groups have lodged expressions of interest in the past two months but it is unclear how advanced their ambitions are.
Cafe del Mar Australia chief executive John Zappia wrote in a letter to Inspire WA director Eric Pearson that the group was extremely excited by the success of its Sydney restaurant and wanted to expand.
Our partners in Spain not only loved our concept and launch but are very happy with our progress to date and are eagerly awaiting our next moves, he said.
We are due to start our expansion stage and have already targeted a number of cities along the east coast, he said.
WA is very much part of this expansion and we see an operation on the west coast as crucial to our footprint, he said.
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Music-themed cafes eye WA
Vienna illuminated during the opening of the Vienna cultural Festival this week. Photo: Reuters
Even before Conchita Wurst's Eurovision triumph helped burnish Austria's tolerant image, Vienna was already popular with gay tourists, attracted by the mix of high-brow culture and history - and also fun.
"You won't see bare bottoms or smutty word plays like you do for other cities. Vienna is sticking to its brand - classical and elegant," the city's tourism chief Norbert Kettner said.
"If you just want to party 24 hours a day, there are better cities. But if you are interested in quality cuisine and culture - and also partying - then you should come to Vienna."
The Rosa-Lila Villa is a meeting point of the gay community. Photo: AFP
Vienna's baroque imperial splendour, UNESCO-protected cafe culture, world-class classical music and over 100 museums have long made it a hit with tourists -- straight or gay.
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In the last decade the number of overnight stays by visitors sampling Schoenbrunn palace, Sachertorte cake or Klimt's "The Kiss" has rocketed 60 per cent to almost 13 million in 2013.
The tourist board has made a point of trying to attract gay tourists, with a special guide and a Facebook page called "Gayfriendly Vienna" - currently fronted with a photo of Conchita Wurst.
Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst. Photo: Reuters
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Vienna: Europe's favourite gay city even before Conchita Wurst's Eurovision win
Erik Kabik / Retna / ErikKabik.com
Sean Christie is flanked by Macklemore, right, and Ryan Lewis during Surrenders third-anniversary celebration Thursday, June 6, 2013, atEncore.
By Robin Leach (contact)
Thursday, May 15, 2014 | 2:01 a.m.
Aaron Garcia
Skylar Grey, Andrea Wynn and Sean Christie attend Andreas first-anniversary celebration Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014, in Encore.
Danny Mahoney/XS
DJ Calvin Harris, center, celebrates his two 2012 MTV Video Music Awards wins at XS in the Encore with Jesse Waits and Sean Christie.
With Memorial Day Weekend just nine days away, Encore Beach Club and Surrender Nightclub get ready to celebrate their fourth successful anniversary and head into a fifth season.
Despite new clubs and venues popping up and planned for the Strip, EBC still breaks year-to-year records as the dominant luxury dayclub and added 25 percent more staff this season and 10 percent more seating. Surrender placed fourth on the Top 100 revenue rankings of Nightclub and Bars 2014 list.
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Q+A: Surrender, EBC exec Sean Christie: People all over the world know Las Vegas is the best
Ann Coulter #39;s Mocking #BringBackOurGirls Tweet Hijacked by Other Users
Ann Coulter #39;s Mocking #BringBackOurGirls Tweet Hijacked by Other Users SUBSCRIBE to NewsBreaker #39;s YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/YgsSEg Ann Coulter tweets a controversial photo mocking the...
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Ann Coulter's Mocking #BringBackOurGirls Tweet Hijacked by Other Users - Video
Bobby and Drew Are Terrible People - Ep.5
Bobby and Drew talk about Mother #39;s Day, Casey Kasem, Jay Z Getting His Ass Beat, Ann Coulter Being A Dumb Bitch, Dana Lash Being A Dumb Cunt, Drunk Wrestlers and Falling Down At Age 71.
By: Larry TheIceCube
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Bobby and Drew Are Terrible People - Ep.5 - Video