Las Vegas NowInside the High-Tech Hard Rock Cafe

Inside the High-Tech Hard Rock Cafe

LAS VEGAS, Nv -- With fewer tourists visiting Las Vegas and locals trying to save cash, restaurants are feeling the pinch. But despite the tough economic times, the Hard Rock Cafe opened its second location in Las Vegas this month.

The restaurant-chain says they're going high-tech and hopes combining computers and cuisine will draw people in.

SLIDESHOW: Inside the Hard Rock Cafe

At the new Hard Rock, you can play games, watch videos, and listen to music with your touch-screen tabletop. Because times are tough, the company says it wants to add value to their cafe and help you experience more for less.

Not only is it David Ortiz's first time to Las Vegas, it's also his first time playing the piano at the Hard Rock Cafe. "I thought it was really neat. I was just messing with it. I didn't know what it was at first," he said.

Ortiz and other customers almost looked a little confused when they walked into the new restaurant. That's because the first thing you see is an interactive touch-screen wall that works like an iPhone. You can see memorabilia from Hard Rock Cafes all over the world.

Then when you head to the bar, you can watch music videos or play games with everyone at your table. As you eat dinner at your table, you can vote on the next song that plays in the entire restaurant or shop in the Hard Rock store.

Sandra Andrews works for Microsoft and helped create the technology. "I like to call it the magnet. You talk to the general manager and he says this is really a revenue generator. They are able to keep people here longer, ordering drinks because it's social," she said.

And General Manager Greg Thomas hopes that becomes a trend. In tough economic times, he believes combining the digital world with your dining experience will add value and draw customers. "We are a value driven society today. People's value for their dollar has to go a very long way. That being said, the technology just adds to the package," he said.