This October, get ready to pivot from your regular coffee routine. A real-life coffeehouse based on the FRIENDS sitcom is opening in Boston's Back Bay. Nestled in a Newbury Street brownstone, Central Perk Coffee Co. is opening a coffeehouse as an homage to the TV show's beloved brew spot that saw endless laughter, tears, fights, deep conversation, and Gunther’s undying and unrequited love.
"Channeling the unforgettable camaraderie of Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross, the inaugural Central Perk Coffeehouse transcends nostalgia, emerging as a fully functioning coffeehouse and contemporary haven," a news release said.
Central Perk Coffeehouse will boast an eclectic FRIENDS-themed menu, with menu items named for characters and storylines, including specialty blends created just for the café, How You Doin'? medium roast, a Pivot Blend medium dark roast, a We Were on a 'Coffee' Break dark roast, a Gunther! espresso; an Oh.My.Gawd! cold brew, and a Moo Point decaf blend.
And could you be ordering any more snacks? The menu is guided by celebrity chef and James Beard Foundation award winner Tom Colicchio (within the Warner Bros. partner group, New York-based CenPer Holdings, LLC) and includes Joey’s Meatball Sandwich, Moistmaker sandwich, Rachel’s Side Salad, and Grandma’s Chicken Salad.
"With a menu that boasts a wide variety of tasty coffee and food options, in a setting that is modern yet reminiscent of the familiar coffeehouse from the beloved TV show, the soul of Central Perk remains intact, promising an unparalleled dining and coffee experience for locals and visitors alike," the news release said.
But before you get excited to take a seat on the couch, there’s one thing to note – this isn’t the exact replica you might have seen in other instances, such as when the recreation of the set visited Emerson College and the in-person immersive experience set in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, both in 2019. The coffeehouse’s design instead will be an updated version of what the show’s coffee shop would potentially look like today (don’t worry – there's still the iconic Orange Sofa room). It will also have two outdoor patios.
“Central Perk is more than just a coffeehouse. It was a home away from home for our six favorite FRIENDS,” said Peter van Roden, SVP, Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment. “Working closely with the CenPer Holdings team in creating this fresh, yet familiar environment, we’re looking forward to giving fans a Central Perk of their own — a coffeehouse that captures the heart of the show.”
In the meantime check out our list of the best coffee shops in town!