Exclusive | The one with the coffee: ‘Friends’ fans delighted by NYC’s ‘amazing’ new, real-life Central Perk: ‘This is so exciting’
A new spot that looks a lot like the coffee shop from the classic sitcom is opening in Times Square, and while it draws heavy on the nostalgia of the show, it won’t be a carbon‑copy of the on‑screen version.
The idea, inspired by the gang’s favorite hangout on the Warner Bros. series that ran from 1994 to 2004, is to bring the beloved concept into real life. The official opening is set for Friday, Dec. 12, and the shop will feature a host of subtle nods to the show—plus a solid lineup of steaming hot coffee.
Jenny Donadio, a 41‑year‑old New York‑based die‑hard who watches reruns almost daily, let us in on what she thought of the preview she attended Thursday. “It’s in the heart of it all,” she told The Post, referring to the spot right on the junction of W. 47th St. and 7th Ave.—the same corner as the TKTS booth. “It’s an amazing spot for an iconic show…it feels like you’re a ‘Friend.’”
The idea of a “Friends”‑inspired café isn’t entirely new. Back in 2014, Warner Bros. ran a pop‑up in SoHo for the sitcom’s 20th anniversary, even sending guest appearances from the famously annoyed barista Gunther (played by James Michael Tyler). The current team, however, started out in Boston, opening a test location in Beantown in 2023 before moving on to the big city.
This is the first time fans can step into a permanent, real‑world version of the set in the city that raised Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey. “It feels great — it feels fun,” 35‑year‑old Raysa Cremona told The Post. “I’d definitely come here with friends. They did the show justice.”
The new co. won’t try to be a literal replica, though familiar touches like the orange sofa, pop‑art by Burton Morris (whose work appeared in over a hundred episodes) and a restroom painted to mimic Monica’s purple door are in place. Lead architect and designer Glen Coben explained that the aim was homage rather than an exact copy. “We didn’t want to be stuck in 1994,” he said. “We wanted a gathering spot that feels modern but still carries the spirit of Central Perk in 2025.”
Phil Colicchio, a founding partner of the consulting firm that helped build the experience and cousin of celebrity chef Tom Colicchio (who devised the menu), stressed the importance of updating the concept. “Because ‘Friends’ is global, we had to imagine the characters as New Yorkers today, at the same age,” he told The Post. “It feels like Central Perk without the set. There’s plenty of familiarity, but no pandering.”
In the bustling store, fans can still hunt for Easter eggs. The “chick and the duck” that appear in season 3’s story will be subtly referenced in restroom décor. Next to the expanded sofa sits a pair of metal “A” and “Z” bookends—an inside joke from the episode “The One With The Routine” (season 6, episode 10).
Menu items lean hard into the theme. “Morning After” yogurt, “The Tribbiani” prosciutto sandwich and the “Rachel Green ‘Side’ Salad” are among the highlights. Fans can also sip show‑themed drinks like “Oh.My. Gawd!” Cold Brew and Princess Consuela’s Banana Mocha.
The coffee itself is front and center, with three signature blends on offer: “Pivot” (medium dark roast), “How You Doin’?” (medium roast) and “We Were on a ‘Coffee’ Break” (dark roast). Espresso lovers can try the “Gunther!” blend for a stronger kick. Colicchio hopes to add a liquor license by the end of January, which would introduce espresso martinis and other cocktails to the menu.
Kathy Choi—47, a New York native who watched the show in its original run—shared her excitement with other Gen X fans at opening night. “It’s a different generation now,” she told The Post. “The humor still works… it would have been great to see a Central Perk earlier, but this is thrilling. Even in busy Times Square, it’s bound to thrive.”
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