Real-life Central Perk – the iconic Friends coffee shop – coming next year

Friends central perk

Ever want to enjoy a hot cup of coffee in Central Perk without having to sit through another rendition of “Smelly Cat”? Well, beginning next year, fans of Friends will be able to do so in modern versions of Central Perk, with locations opening sometime in 2023.

According to a press release: “Imbued with the same heart and soul as the iconic setting from the series, Central Perk Coffeehouse will be a place for fans (and friends) to slow down and come together over great coffee and eats.”

Exact locations have not been announced at this point but Friends fans don’t have to wait to get that Central Perk java. There are currently three blends available to order online: “How You Doin’?” (medium), “Pivot” (medium/dark) and “We Were on a Coffee Break” (dark). The Friends coffee will be available in pods, whole bean or ground. All three options–the 12-count pods and the 10 ounce bags–are priced at $16.99.

Chef Tom Colicchio, a James Beard winner working on the project, said, “With Central Perk, we can’t wait to offer friends old and new a really enjoyable premium cup of coffee and hope they settle in with us for the next chapter of this beloved story.”

The Friends phenomenon hasn’t really slowed down since the NBC smash went off the air in 2004. Just last year, HBO Max premiered Friends: The Reunion, pulled in five million viewers on the streaming service. In addition, “The Friends Experience” is an ongoing attraction that lets fans walk through recreated locations and see props.

What are your thoughts on actual Central Perk locations opening across the nation? Are you looking forward to plopping on the big orange couch?

Source: People

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Mathew is an East Coast-based writer and film aficionado who has been working with JoBlo.com periodically since 2006. When he’s not writing, you can find him on Letterboxd or at a local brewery. If he had the time, he would host the most exhaustive The Wonder Years rewatch podcast in the universe.