Friction energy dissipative devices have been increasingly implemented as structural seismic damage protecting systems due to their excellent seismic energy dissipating capacity and high stiffness. This study develops rotational friction energy dissipative devices and verifies experimentally their cyclic response. Based on the understanding of the differences between the traditional linear-motion friction behavior and the rotational friction behavior, the configuration of the frictional surface was determined by investigating the characteristics of the micro-friction behavior. The friction surface suggested in this paper consists of brake-lining pads and stainless steel sheets and is normally stressed by high-strength bolts. Based upon these frictional characteristics of the selected interface, the rotational friction energy dissipative devices were developed. Bolt torque-bearing force tests, rotational friction tests of the suggested friction interfaces were carried out to identify their frictional behavior. Test results show that the bearing force is almost linearly proportional to the applied bolt torque and presents stable cyclic response regardless of the experimental parameters selected this testing program. Finally, cyclic tests of the rotational friction energy dissipative devices were performed to find out their structural characteristics and to confirm their stable cyclic response. The developed friction energy dissipative devices present very stable cyclic response and meet the requirements for displacement-dependent energy dissipative devices prescribed in ASCE/SEI 7-10.