The beloved Friends hangout has officially landed on Newbury Street. 
Tomorrow is the big day. Since September the city has been buzzing with anticipation for the first Central Perk Coffeehouse to open on Newbury Street. For almost 30 years, Central Perk has existed only on our screens as the fictitious coffee shop where our beloved pals Monica, Rachel, Phebe, Ross, Joey and Chandler from Friends spent many afternoons catching up over steaming mugs. But starting tomorrow, avid fans of the wildly popular television can sit on a modernized version of the iconic orange couch and order a How You Doin’ medium roast from Central Perk Coffee Co. with a Joey’s Meatball Sandwich.
The space, nestled within a historic brownstone between Exeter and Fairfield Streets, was designed by award-winning architecture and interior design firm Glen & Company and blends nostalgia with contemporary flair. “Our mission was to reimagine Central Perk as it would look and serve as a gathering spot for friends today, not to recreate the actual set. The space conveys the ‘Central Perk state-of-mind,’ a place where people make memories—fall in love, commiserate, tell secrets and share laughter,” said Glen Coben, Founder and Principal Designer, Glen & Company. There will also be a semi-private and reservable space called the “Orange Room” that features a replica orange couch with a neon sign above that reads “The One With…,” a perfect backdrop for those social media posts.
The all-day menu will be typical cafe fare with menu items named after the characters and episode plots. And despite some of the silly names like the Oh My Gawd! cold brew and the Moist Maker Turkey Sandwich, the food should be good considering that James Beard award-winning chef Tom Colicchio advised as one of the restaurant’s investors. In the coming weeks the coffee house will introduce a selection of beer, wine and cordials including a creative twist on espresso martinis.
There will be nods to the series throughout the space within the artwork and the coffee cup sleeves that feature iconic quotes from each of the six friends. On opening day, Central Perk will introduce the Chandler Bing “Can I Interest You in a Sarcastic Comment” sleeve exclusively for the entire day, in honor of the life and legacy of actor Matthew Perry.
The coffee house’s couch is certain to be full, not only with young fans of the show, but with adults perhaps looking for a moment or two to relive the nineties and early aughts when all six friends came together in our living room for thirty minutes of fun. 205 Newbury St., centralperk.com
Photography by: Courtesy of Brand
