Universal CityWalk is the name shared by the entertainment and retail districts located adjacent to the theme parks of Universal Destinations & Experiences. CityWalk began as an expansion of Universal's first park, Universal Studios Hollywood, and serves as an entrance plaza from the parking lots to the theme parks. The CityWalk chain can also be found at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, United States; Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, Japan; and Universal Beijing Resort in Beijing, China.
CityWalk Hollywood and CityWalk Orlando have some common tenants, but their respective architectural styles are quite different. Where CityWalk Hollywood incorporates a classic modern blend of Hollywood, CityWalk Orlando is almost entirely modern in appearance.
Universal CityWalk Hollywood
CityWalk is separate from Universal Studios Hollywood although it does serve as an entrance from the parking lot to Universal Studios. Inspiration came from the Horton Plaza according to Jon Jerde, the architecture of CityWalk Hollywood tries to capture the architecture found all over Los Angeles. Universal CityWalk Hollywood is a three-block entertainment, dining, shopping promenade. It has more than 30 eateries, a 19-screen movie theater featuring IMAX, 7 night spots, indoor skydiving and more than 30 stores.
History Designed by Jon Jerde, CityWalk opened in May 1993 adjacent to the Cineplex Odeon cinema (operated by AMC Theatres since 2006). A $1 billion, expansion opened in 2000, with planning also executed by Jerde Associates. Street performers (magicians and musicians) are a common sight.
CityWalk's central plaza is topped by a 170-foot radial trellis designed and built by Pearce Structures (who also constructed Biosphere 2). The courtyard features a leaping fountain, created by WET. A huge television monitor brought in by Panasonic, is located above the multiplex, showing upcoming Universal movie releases, music videos, and NBCUniversal promotions stands next to the giant guitar towering over the Hard Rock Cafe.
In January 2010, the music video for Justin Bieber's song "Baby" was recorded here.
5 Towers "5 Towers" is an interactive outdoor concert venue on Universal CityWalk, featuring a technologically advanced staging system. The stage is equipped with thousands of LED fixtures, motion capture sensors, five soaring 42-foot light tower sculptures, a massive video monitor, and a state-of-the-art audio system.
The new staging system serves as the structural artistic centerpiece for CityWalk. It features live music.
Dining
Casual Dining Quick Service Eateries Snack & RefreshmentsAntojito's Cocina Mexicana Firehouse Subs Ben and Jerry's Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Jamba Cinnabon Buca di Beppo KFC Express / Pizza Hut Express Citywalk Pop Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Panda Express Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe Mr. BBQ Pink's Famous Hot Dogs Insomnia Cookies NBC Sports Grill & Brew Raising Cane's Menchie's Frozen Yogurt Slice House Taco Bell Starbucks The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium The Habit Burger Grill The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen Vivo Italian Kitchen Uncle Sharkii Poke Voodoo Doughnut Wasabi at Citywalk Wetzel's Pretzels
Shopping
Apparel & Accessories Collectibles, Games & Novelties Food Specialities, Home, Health & Beauty Lids Cartooniversal IT'SUGAR Lids Locker Room Celebrity Authentics Karma and Luck Line Friends Square Dodgers Clubhouse Store Nectar Bath Treats Shoe Palace Hot Topic Sephora Sunsastions NBA Store Take 2 Production Central The Los Angeles Sock Market Super Nintendo World Store Tillys Sanrio Smile Shop Universal Bazar Things From Another World Universal Studios Store
Entertainment Night Spots Experiences Cinemas Game Show Taping Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Escapology Universal Cinema Family Feud (2010–2011) Buca di Beppo iFly Hollywood (2006–2025) Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
Universal CityWalk Orlando
The Universal CityWalk in Orlando opened in February 1999 as one component of the expansion that transformed Universal Studios Florida into Universal Orlando Resort. It was built over the former Universal Studios parking lot and entrance. Guests arriving at the resort park in one of two parking garages then travel via covered moving walkways over Universal Boulevard into CityWalk. From there, guests can proceed into either of the original two theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure.
In 2026, Universal Orlando Resort announced several changes coming to CityWalk, including the return of Universal Legacy Store and closure of Burger King Whopper Bar and more.
Dining
Restaurant Opened Notes Hard Rock Cafe Orlando 1999 This is the second Hard Rock Café built on Universal property. The first café was built near the Psycho house, Bates Motel, E.T. Adventure, and Fievel's Playland. Although the first café was considered to be one of the largest in the chain, the company closed down the restaurant to reopen in an even bigger facility and alongside Hard Rock Live in the CityWalk section. The old Hard Rock Café building was demolished in October 2011.Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville 1999 Lone Palm Airport 1999 A quick service bar across from MargaritavilleAntojito's Authentic Mexican Food 2014 Starbucks Bubba Gump Shrimp Company 2006 Inspired by the 1994 film Forrest Gump Cinnabon Pat O'Brien's Bar 1999 A franchise of the original bar/restaurant in New Orleans. Panda Express Moe's Southwest Grill Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom 1999 Fat Tuesday 2010 A walk up bar Red Oven Pizza Bakery 2014 Cold Stone Creamery 2014 Menchie's Frozen Yogurt 2014 Vivo Italian Kitchen 2014 Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches 2014 The Cowfish Sushi and Burger Bar 2014 NBC Sports Grill & Brew 2015 The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen 2016 Voodoo Doughnut 2018 Bigfire American Fare 2019 Bend the Bao 2021 Fat One's Hot Dogs & Italian Ice 2026
Former Dining Big Kahuna Pizza Decades Cafe Emeril's Restaurant Orlando Fusion Bistro Sushi & Sake Bar Galaxy Bar Latin Quarter Motown Cafe NBA City NASCAR Café Pastamore Italian Restaurant BK Whopper Bar Hot Dog Hall of Fame
Entertainment
Universal Cinemark at CityWalk, previously operated by Loews Theatres until January 26, 2006, when AMC Theatres merged the Loews Theatres chain, and previously operated by AMC until 2018. Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom CityWalk's Rising Star – A karaoke club featuring a live band and backup Singers. Hard Rock Live – A separate performance venue adjacent to the Hard Rock Cafe, with a capacity of nearly 3,000. Red Coconut Club Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville – Live bands take to the restaurant's stage to perform every evening. Hollywood Drive-In Mini Golf – A miniature golf course harkening back to 1950s era drive-in movies. The facility has two different and intricately themed courses: "The Haunting of Ghostly Greens" and "Invaders from Planet Putt-Putt". Opened in March 2012. Universal's Great Movie Escape – An Escape room experience with rooms themed to both Back to the Future and Jurassic World.
Former Entertainment Blue Man Group Theatre CityJazz The Groove Family Feud Live Steve Harvey Live Deal or No Deal Live Emeril Live
Shopping Candy Smith (at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium) CityWalk Hub Store Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company The Smuggler's Hold (at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville) Universal Studios Store
Former Shopping BMG Gear Cartooniversal Cigarz at Citywalk Element Skateboards The Endangered Species Store Fresh Produce Fossil, Inc. Island Clothing Co. Katie's Candy Company P!Q Quiet Flight Surf Shop TCBY Tommy Bahama Universal Legacy Store (now replaced by Universal Epic Universe Preview Center as a new exhibition until it was permanently closed on April 22, 2026)
Exhibition Former exhibition Universal Epic Universe Preview Center
Incident On April 22, 2011, a 33-year-old man from Winter Haven, Florida, was found unconscious in front of the Universal Cineplex 20 theater after being tased by an off-duty police officer due to disorderly conduct. The man was taken to Dr. P. Phillips Hospital and later died.
Universal CityWalk Osaka
The Universal CityWalk Osaka opened to public on March 31, 2001 as part of the Universal Studios Japan.
Dining Red Lobster Nolboo Ganko Shinobuan Inaba Wako Shabu Sai Yakiniku Karubin Champ Fugetsu USA Gottie's Beef Pommenoki Fujin Raijin RA-MEN Kamakura Pasta Kobe Motomachi Doria Moana Kitchen Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Hard Rock Cafe Kushiro Monogatari Bistro 309 TGI Fridays Aen Table Kyoto Katsugyu Daikisuisan Kaitensushi Mos Burger Funfun Popcorn Papa Moomin Stand Momi & Toy's 551 Horai Pizza Napoletano Kineya Mugimaru Romaken St-Marc Cafe Seiryumon
Shopping Edion Nostalgia Museum Rock Shop Little Osaka LAWSON - convenience store chain Matsumoto Kiyoshi - drug store chain Jump Shop - Weekly Shōnen Jump official shop with character goods Claire's Maimo Gap Factory Store Boushiya Flava
Other
Takoyaki museum (Takoyaki Dining) The Original Takoyaki Tamade, Osaka Aiduya Takoya Dotonbori Kukuru Osaka Amerikamura Kougaryu Abeno Takoyaki Yamachan Juhachiban Naniwa's Specialty Ichibirian
Universal CityWalk Beijing
The Universal CityWalk Beijing opened to public on September 2, 2021 as part of the Universal Beijing Resort's first phase with no entrance fee.
Dining
BMW JOYCUBE Bubba Gump Shrimp Company CityWalk Red Oven Pizza Bakery CityWalk WUBEI CRAFT FOOD AND BEER Cutie Cones Donglaishun Jumbo Seafood KPRO Neon Street Hawkers Peet's Coffee Phoenix House Superior Shop Quanjude The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar TIME TRAVEL GRANDMA'S HOME FLAGSHIP STORE Universal CityWalk - The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen
Shopping
Adidas Harmay Kakao Friends POP MART Swarovski The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Candy Store Universal Studios Store
Entertainment Universal CityWalk Cinema
References
External links
Universal CityWalk Hollywood official Web site CityWalk Orlando official Web site Universal CityWalk Restaurants