New York has a coffee shop on every corner; why are fans preparing to line up for this one? When a TV couch becomes a street address, nostalgia starts brewing.
At the northeast corner of 7th Avenue and 47th Street, Times Square is about to host a modern take on TV’s most famous couch-side café. The Friends hangout will be reimagined as a permanent spot serving artisanal coffee and series-inspired dishes, with menu guidance from chef Tom Colicchio. Warner Bros. Discovery frames the move as the logical follow-up to a 2023 Boston debut, betting on the sitcom’s staying power. For fans, it promises a daily ritual by autumn 2025, not just a photo op.
A beloved café comes to life
The cozy heartbeat of “Friends” steps into reality in autumn 2025, when a permanent Central Perk opens in New York City’s Times Square. Set at the bustling northeast corner of 7th Avenue and 47th Street, this real-world spot invites fans to picture themselves on the iconic orange couch while sipping a fresh brew in the middle of the city that shaped the series.
A modernized café experience
Instead of a simple replica, this Central Perk reimagines the classic vibe with an elevated menu and artisanal coffee. Culinary credibility comes from Tom Colicchio, the renowned chef and judge from Top Chef, who is consulting on the offerings. Expect a welcoming ambiance, thoughtful dishes inspired by memorable moments, and a playful nod to fan-favorite food references. Think Rachel’s English trifle getting a wry wink rather than a literal remake.
Why Central Perk means so much
For many, Central Perk felt like a real address you could visit, a symbol of friendship, romance, and comic mishaps that defined the spirit of “Friends.” Bringing that atmosphere to Times Square is a fitting elevation, placing a nostalgic sanctuary in one of the world’s busiest crossroads. The move connects the show’s legacy with a destination that already draws visitors who share a deep bond with the series.
From pop-ups to permanence
Warner Bros. Discovery has tested the waters with successful limited-time activations, including a popular pop-up in Boston that opened in 2023. Building on that momentum, Peter van Roden, Executive Vice President of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, described the New York opening as the next logical step, especially since the series was set in Manhattan. Turning the concept into a lasting venue in its narrative hometown feels like a natural homecoming.
Coffee, nostalgia, and endless memories
This café offers more than espresso and pastries. It gives fans a place to relive Joey’s antics and hear echoes of Phoebe’s guitar while meeting new memories over a latte. The show’s enduring popularity, even after it ended in 2004, proves how stories of friendship cross generations. Autumn 2025 cannot come soon enough for a fresh pour of nostalgia.