For the second time since its opening in October 2013, the Hard Rock Café hosted its Superbowl night. The matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks brought together over 130 people, beyond the management’s expectations. A grand evening atmosphere, living up to the event. An account of an evening and the start of a night like no other.
It’s the date of the year for Americans and for all US Football lovers around the world. The night from Sunday to Monday of the Superbowl is sacred. “I’ve taken my Monday off like I have for years,” said a guest an hour before kickoff, proving the importance of the event.
For the occasion, the Nice Dolphins team, which plays in the First Division, gathered at the Hard Rock Café in Nice. On the first floor of the bar-restaurant, seats were snatched up. “We are beyond our projections. We’ve added tables and chairs to reach 130 seats,” explains Anthony Matteuzzi, marketing manager of the Nice restaurant. A Superbowl is experienced, even on the other side of the Atlantic, nearly 10,000 kilometers from Glendale (Arizona) where the 49th final in history was held.
“We were looking for a place to meet and not miss this event. The Hard Rock Café is a big name, they stuck to their commitments. Last year, everything went very well. For 2015, we involved the whole club, posted messages on social media…” explains Yannick Fattorini, coach of the Senior Dolphins team. On the schedule, an exceptional setup with guest reception from 10:30 PM, that is, 2 hours before kickoff, buffet + drinks (Pepsi or Budweiser, American beer brand) at will, not to mention the event partners’ gifts with t-shirts, caps, sports bags… All until the end of the game, around 5 AM. “2014 was a success, only 4 months after our opening. Word of mouth worked this year, it’s a real success,” continues Anthony Matteuzzi.
Waiters and waitresses dressed in US colors or with a Dolphins jersey. Everything for a great sports night. In the room prepared for the occasion, numerous screens, including a giant one equipped with a video projector. The atmosphere builds up minute by minute until 12:15 AM when the American national anthem is sung. On the first floor, a good dozen Patriots jerseys dominate, even though a few Seattle fans are scattered here and there.
It’s exactly 12:30 AM when the kickoff is given by the Seattle Seahawks. “We hope for a tighter match than the last edition (Seattle’s 43-8 victory without any suspense). My favorite team isn’t here, so I hope for a great game,” assures the Dolphins’ coach from Nice. The audience, 95% male, cheers for their team with every action. The first roar comes in the middle of the first quarter (four in total of 15 minutes each) when Tom Brady, quarterback (playmaker) of the Patriots, is intercepted. Jokes fly across the room. Despite a 0-0 score at the end of the first 15 minutes, NFL (American Championship name) fans don’t get discouraged, they have another brownie and a glass of Pepsi. They hope for one thing: to see touchdowns, the major action in American football that allows scoring 6 points.
“We’re having a great evening. All the guys seem happy. The great atmosphere in the club is reflected in this evening. We lent the equipment to the waiters and waitresses. It’s a great organization,” admits Alain Dauchy, head of the Senior team.
The room roars when Brandon LaFell scores the first touchdown of the game. The Superbowl is well underway! But six minutes later, Seattle fans also erupt after a touchdown by Marshawn Lynch, 7-7, everything has to be redone. The match heats up with another touchdown on each side. At halftime, the score is 14-14. There’s banter from both sides, but there were still two times 15 minutes to decide the outcome of the game.
“I’m very happy with the organization. We’re getting our money’s worth. On the field, a bit disappointed with my Seahawks at the moment, but you’ll see, they’ll end up winning,” smiles Hakim, running back for the Dolphins.
The traditional Half Time Show is attentively followed. After Bruno Mars for the 2014 edition, Katy Perry was chosen for 15 electrifying minutes.
The Superbowl ended around 4:30 AM with the victory, in the last two minutes, of the New England Patriots with a score of 28-24 thanks to their playmaker, Tom Brady. The 2015 edition will be remembered as a vintage both on the field and at the Hard Rock Café, which is already giving a rendezvous for 2016!
