The true setting of the series is in Los Angeles, far from New York, where the sitcom was set. But in Manhattan there are also themed spaces!
May 2024 marked the 20th anniversary of the series’ final episode Friends, which lasted a decade, chronicling the misadventures of Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey and Phoebe in New York. Even long after, the sitcom continues to be a ratings success on streaming platforms and attracts old and new generations to its scenes. One of the most classic is the Central advantagethe bar where friends gathered.
But does coffee really exist? And is it possible to meet him?
The answer to both questions is a resounding yes, but it’s worth putting an asterisk there. After all, though Friends is set in New York, the series is a Hollywood production and was recorded in Los Angeles.
This has created a peculiar situation, where there is more than one chance to visit Central Perk when passing through the United States and wanting to take photos there.
In Los Angeles, the Central Perk you saw on TV
It is located the bar that actually appeared in the series Warner Bros. Studios., in Los Angeles, where the series was recorded between 1994 and 2004. In addition to the preserved scenery, which includes the famous orange sofa where the characters met to converse, during the visit it is also possible to purchase coffee and other drinks, presented in themed mugs with the name of the place, as well as exclusive souvenirs from the series.
To visit the “original” Central Perk, which ironically is thousands of kilometers from New York, you need to take a tour of the Warner studios, with tickets on sale starting from $73 on the official website. According to the organizers, practically all the objects – with the exception of the cups, Phoebe’s guitar and the scenic food – were used in the filming of Friends.
The studios are located at 3400 Warner Boulevard in Burbank, and the tour runs every weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with groups departing every half hour.
New York also offers itineraries for fans of the series
If the actual place of registration is Los Angeles, anyone who goes to New York is not left destitute. The city in which the series is set usually has several specific events dedicated to commemorating famous locations from the series, and also has its own Central Perk.
The most faithful replica in operation is found there The experience of friends, an official museum on two floors with different spaces and objects that refer to the story of the six friends. The most popular space, of course, is the Central Perk recreation, with its orange couch where visitors can pose for photos.
The Friends Experience is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 7pm, welcoming groups every half hour. Tickets can be purchased via the official website starting at $51 for a single ticket. Groups of six people and over have a discount.
Another similar replica reopened temporarily this year in Boston to celebrate the series’ 30th anniversary. She had already appeared in the city in 2019, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary.
In New York it is also possible to visit the building that has been immortalized as the one in which the friends lived. The location, which only appeared in exterior shots, is located on the corner of Bedford and Grove streets in the West Village region of Manhattan. The building not open to visitorsbut there is also a bar on the ground floor, Owlwhich sells themed souvenirs of the building.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
