First 'Friends'-themed Central Perk Coffeehouse opens in Boston

HOUSE. SO, MATT, IS IT LIVING UP TO THE HYPE? YOU KNOW, ERIKA FOR A COUPLE MINUTES, THERE WASN’T A LINE, BUT THAT WAS SHORT LIVED. WE’VE SEEN HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FLOCKING TO THIS COFFEE HOUSE, TAKING SELFIES, TAKING MOMENTS TO ENJOY MAKING NEW FRIENDS AND JUST TAKING IN EVERYTHING THAT IS THE SHOW. FRIENDS. MY WHOLE COLLEGE, YOU KNOW, YOUNG ADULT EXPERIENCE YOU WISH YOU HAD THAT COFFEE SHOP WHERE YOU COULD GO HANG OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND YOU SEE THE SHOW AND YOU WISH YOU HAD SOMEWHERE LIKE THAT. AND HOW COOL IS IT THAT WE HAVE THAT IN BOSTON? BACK BAY WAS BUZZING THIS MORNING THANKS TO THE OH, MY GOD, COLD BREW BLEND AND ALL THE FRIENDS RELATED FOOD AND DRINKS AT THE CENTRAL PERK COFFEE CO’S FIRST EVER LOCATION, ALL OF IT JUST COMING TOGETHER. IT MAKES ME FEEL SO HAPPY BECAUSE FRIENDS IS LIKE MY FAVORITE SHOW EVER. SHE JUST WATCHED IT THIS MORNING BEFORE SHE GOT HERE. I THINK THAT IT’S WONDERFUL TO HAVE A SPACE WHERE LIKE THIS, WHERE LIKE PEOPLE CAN COME AND JUST FORGET ABOUT THEIR WORRIES. THE PICTURE STARTED AS SOON AS THE DOORS OPENED AND REACHED A CRESCENDO ONCE FANS GOT A GLIMPSE OF THE NOT ONE BUT THREE ORANGE COUCHES. DON’T HAVE TO BE A FAN TO WORK HERE, BUT I HAVE TO SAY, ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT I HAVE HIRED AND PROBABLY WILL HIRE, THEY ALL HAVE A CONNECTION TO FRIENDS. THE COFFEE HOUSE FILLED WITH REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW THAT CLEARLY WENT OVER THIS REPORTER’S HEAD BUT WERE INSTANTLY RECOGNIZED BY THE DIEHARDS. MY SCONES FOR LIKE HOW CHANDLER SAYS IT. WE WERE ON A COFFEE BREAK. MAMA’S LITTLE BAKERY CHEESECAKE, WHICH IS DELICIOUS, A PLACE TO GRAB A BITE, BUT ALSO GET A TASTE OF NOSTALGIA AND COMFORT THAT THIS SHOW BRINGS TO SO MANY PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD. BOSTON IS SUCH AN AMAZING CITY. IT’S GOT A GREAT COFFEE, HERITAGE AND CAFE SCENE. I THINK THAT IT’S BEING HERE IN THE BACK BAY AND NEWBURY STREET

Months of preparations are coming to an end in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, where the "Friends"-inspired Central Perk Coffeehouse opened on Tuesday morning. The doors of the shop at 205 Newbury Street, located between Exeter and Fairfield Streets, will opened at 7 a.m.The cafe was originally expected to open in October. No reason was given for the postponement. Central Perk Coffee Co. is based on the TV show's Central Perk, which was a featured set throughout the sitcom."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.For several weeks, signs have marked the storefront in Boston's Back Bay, and a selfie-ready orange couch is perched outside. Central Perk Coffeehouse has an eclectic Friends-themed menu, playfully named to pay homage to the beloved characters and moments from the show.Some of the drinks include Princess Consuela’s Banana Mocha blend and Chandler’s Chocolate Milk Cold Foam. Guests will also be able to order Joey’s Meatball Sandwich, Rachel’s Side Salad or Grandma’s Chicken Salad, among other items."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.The company says the new coffeehouse will have two outdoor patios outside, while inside, you'll find the iconic Orange Sofa room, inspired by the iconic Central Perk couch.A statement issued by Warner Bros. last summer announced the company was partnering with a coalition of food and beverage industry experts to launch a Central Perk Coffeehouse in 2023. The partner group, New York-based CenPer Holdings, LLC, includes celebrity chef and James Beard Foundation Award Winner Tom Colicchio.The business already sells several show-inspired coffees and merchandise through the Central Perk website.The show and its enduring popularity have already inspired several other in-person experiences, including a recreation of the set that visited Emerson College in 2019 and an interactive experience in New York City, which is already home to a functioning version of Central Perk.

BOSTON —

Months of preparations are coming to an end in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, where the "Friends"-inspired Central Perk Coffeehouse opened on Tuesday morning.

The doors of the shop at 205 Newbury Street, located between Exeter and Fairfield Streets, will opened at 7 a.m.

The cafe was originally expected to open in October. No reason was given for the postponement.

Central Perk Coffee Co. is based on the TV show's Central Perk, which was a featured set throughout the sitcom.

Brian Nevins

"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.

For several weeks, signs have marked the storefront in Boston's Back Bay, and a selfie-ready orange couch is perched outside.

Central Perk Coffeehouse has an eclectic Friends-themed menu, playfully named to pay homage to the beloved characters and moments from the show.

Brian Nevins

Pets from the show are among the many references in the decor.

Some of the drinks include Princess Consuela’s Banana Mocha blend and Chandler’s Chocolate Milk Cold Foam. Guests will also be able to order Joey’s Meatball Sandwich, Rachel’s Side Salad or Grandma’s Chicken Salad, among other items.

Brian Nevins

Food items on display inside Central Perk.

"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.

Brian Nevins

The company says the new coffeehouse will have two outdoor patios outside, while inside, you'll find the iconic Orange Sofa room, inspired by the iconic Central Perk couch.

Brian Nevins

"The One With" references the title structure for each episode of the sitcom.

Brian Nevins

A statement issued by Warner Bros. last summer announced the company was partnering with a coalition of food and beverage industry experts to launch a Central Perk Coffeehouse in 2023. The partner group, New York-based CenPer Holdings, LLC, includes celebrity chef and James Beard Foundation Award Winner Tom Colicchio.

The business already sells several show-inspired coffees and merchandise through the Central Perk website.

Brian Nevins

The show and its enduring popularity have already inspired several other in-person experiences, including a recreation of the set that visited Emerson College in 2019 and an interactive experience in New York City, which is already home to a functioning version of Central Perk.

First 'Friends'-themed Central Perk Coffeehouse opens in Boston

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