Malibu Barbie pop-up is a ‘groovy’ beach escape in downtown New York City
In case the hype around the upcoming Barbie movie wasn’t enough to get you excited, maybe the new Barbie-themed pop-up restaurant will.
It’s called The Malibu Barbie Cafe, and it’s set to open in two separate locations this summer — with the New York City spot opening on May 17.
The cafe experience is being launched by a media brand known as Bucket Listers, which previously made headlines for another nostalgic experience it created: The Golden Girls Kitchen, according to a press release obtained by In The Know. The project is also spearheaded by Bucket Listers VP of experiences, Derek Berry, who’s been behind other nostalgic pop-ups before, including Saved by the Max, Good Burger and The Peach Pit.
This time, the family-friendly pop-up is said to be inspired by “the groovy beachside energy of 1970s Malibu, California,” and perhaps more specifically, by Malibu Barbie herself — the beach-loving doll that first hit store shelves in 1971 and has stayed famous ever since.
“Bucket Listers is honored to bring The Malibu Barbie Cafe to life,” CEO and founder Andy Lederman stated in the release. “We pride ourselves on creating exclusive experiences for our community of 15 million+ fans, concepts they won’t find anywhere else.”
“Barbie has proven to be one of history’s ultimate icons,” Lederman added. “We just couldn’t pass up this chance to bring her world to life.”
Calling Barbie an “ultimate icon” is putting it mildly.
The doll — and all of her many vibrant accessories — practically dominated the toy market of the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s, and she continues to remain popular today. But now, amid the recent promotion of the Barbie movie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, it’s become increasingly clear just how many people absolutely loved the doll growing up.
As for the Malibu Barbie Cafe, reps for Mattel have described it as “a truly unique dining experience” that celebrates all things Barbie — from the bright pink beach-themed decor to the lighthearted menu, which includes things like rainbow pancakes and beach burgers. According to Julie Freeland, senior director of location-based entertainment at Mattel, “every detail has been thoughtfully designed to celebrate the iconic Barbie style, with nostalgic details fans will love.”
So far, all signs point to this place being a Millennial/Gen-Xer’s childhood dream come true.
Once they step inside, fans will be greeted by a fast-casual restaurant with a menu specially created by Master Chef semi-finalist Becky Brown, which emphasizes all-day brunch and other so-called friendly fare. All around them will be a cool, beachy vibe, a spot to buy exclusive merch and even some some fun photo moments that fans can interact with.
The second pop-up location, in Chicago, will open on June 7.
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