If you still refuse to throw away your childhood dolls (cough, guilty) or you haven't quite recovered from the Barbie film fever that struck the world in 2023, you're not alone. That special connection to Barbie is hard to shake, even though the long, joyous days of prancing and play-acting her around our bedrooms may be over. In fact, some folks are so obsessed with the lore and look of the world's most popular doll, they've been collecting versions of her since she first sprung into the world in the '70s.
But wherever you may sit on the Barbie devotion spectrum – and how much pink you have in your wardrobe will give you a good indication of that – there's no denying it: this Malibu Barbie-themed café coming to Melbourne soon is a girly girl's 'grammable dream come true.
After a spate of hugely successful pop-ups across various cities in the US, we're lucky to get Mattel's very first international run of the concept right here at Chadstone Shopping Centre. The two-storey family-friendly destination is set to open its doors on Friday, June 27, and will feature the ultimate Barbie dining experience and cocktail bar, plus a dreamy roller skating rink, exclusive merchandise (life-sized Barbie doll box, anyone?), a visual installation showcasing the Barbie brand's evolution throughout the decades and fun photo opps galore. Just look at that adorbs Barbie boat of desserts!
Want to know some fun facts about Malibu Barbie? Number one: she was the very first Barbie with a tan, to reflect the easy-breezy California beach lifestyle. Number two: she came with a hot pink beach house to live in (what an iconic babe). And number three: she also had heaps of friends, like Malibu Ken, to complement her social butterfly personality. In other words, she was pretty much the coolest. Which is why, of course, she's got a world-famous café concept named after her – and why you'll want to bring along your gal pals, kiddos and whoever else you know has a penchant for our plastic-fantastic queen.
While the downstairs café will feature all-day eats like the Beach Burger, West Coast Wave Salad and Groovy Garlic Butter Linguini with grilled prawns, the upstairs Ken Kabana bar is where mums and dads can pop in for a creative cocktail, each crafted to evoke the golden summer days and carefree spirit of '70s Malibu. We're talking Malibu Margaritas, Beach Mojitos and Roller Rink Royales topped with fairy floss. Awesome!
The second level will also feature the skating rink, where guests can lace up, glide around to upbeat music and enjoy the palm trees and vibrant murals.
The Malibu Barbie Café’s Australian debut will take up residency in Chadstone's Social Quarter from June through Summer 2026. Reservations are available now, so don't delay – visit the website now to book your spot and stay up to date by following the official Instagram account for all the latest.
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