Just because Gilmore Girls, Friends, Saved by the Bell, Twin Peaks, and countless others have been done, doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of options left.
Jack Rabbit Slims (Pulp Fiction)
It’s honestly crazy that this hasn’t been done already. Requirements: car booths, $5 shakes, and real dance contests. Anyone who confuses Mamie Van Doren with Marilyn Monroe WILL be shamed.
Miramax / Via youtube.com
The Smash Club (Full House)
As a child, I truly believed The Smash Club had the coolest decor of any place on this planet. Performances by Jesse and The Rippers and/or Hot Daddy and the Monkey Puppets will need to happen on the reg. Also, the napkins will need to read “The Smush Club” for an added flair.
ABC / Via twitter.com
Café Nervosa (Frasier)
If someone as snooty as Frasier goes to the same coffee shop in Seattle, the coffee mecca, every single day… well, then it must have some amazing coffee. The world NEEDS this.
NBC / Via netflix.com
The Bronze (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Requirements: live shows by obscure ’90s bands, the ability to trade roaches for drinks, and the balance between selling alcohol while still allowing in minors. Oh, and it will obviously need to include people lurking in the corners, dressed as vampires.
WB / Via playbuzz.com
Mooby’s (Clerks II)
The fictional fast food chain is referenced in multiple Kevin Smith movies, but we really get a good look in Clerks II. If you’re like me, you spent a good chunk of your high school years wishing you could try one of these burgers.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer / Via filmcomment.com
The Hub (That ’70s Show)
This is mainly an excuse to go somewhere dressed in sweeeeet ’70s garb. Also, pinball is a must. Fez hiding in the women’s room will NOT be part of this, for the record.
FOX / Via flavorwire.com
The Peach Pit (Beverly Hills 90210)
I’m not completely sure why ’90s teens would want to hang out in a ’50s style diner, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be recreated to perfection. It will obviously include the Peach Pit After Dark expansion, hopefully with some rad performances.
FOX / Via flavorwire.com
The Ink And Paint Club (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)
Okay, I’ll be honest, I have absolutely NO IDEA how this can be pulled off. However, I have faith that someone will figure out how to let us eager patrons mingle with cartoon characters. Worse case scenario, a human will sing “Why Don’t You Do Right?”
Buena Vista Pictures / Via imnotbad.com
Krusty Krab (SpongeBob SquarePants)
This SORT OF existed already, but it wasn’t exactly on the level. I’d like to see a Nickelodeon-approved version, preferably with a rival Chum Bucket across the street. That shouldn’t be too hard to add to the budget, right?
Nickeldeon / Via complex.com
Ten Forward (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
Who wouldn’t want to visit this super sleek space bar? If we’re lucky, maybe Whoopi Goldberg will make a special appearance.
CBS / Via stexpanded.wikia.com
Canto Bight Casino (Star Wars: The Last Jedi)
Since the Mos Eisley Cantina has already been done, I think the fancy casino from the new film would be a fun place to see IRL. I don’t know the logistics of running a temporary casino, but that’s not for me to worry about. Alternatively, we could open a Jabba’s Palace, but that sounds kind of bleak.
Lucasfilm
JJ’s Diner (Parks and Rec)
Television shows sure like their diners, don’t they? However, it would be a disservice to Leslie Knope to not wish for an IRL JJ’s. The only requirement is delicious waffles.
NBC / Via screenbid.com
Honker Burger (Doug)
This place had a real sweet vibe and awesome aesthetic. In the show, it eventually changed to Chez Honque, and honestly, French food is a welcome change from all these burger joints.
Nickelodeon / Via dabpinshop.com
The Frosty Palace (Grease)
It was my dream as a kid to walk inside The Frosty Palace, and now that pop-ups exist, I think it’s safe to say the dream isn’t officially dead. I tried to replicate it in my bedroom for my Grease themed 9th birthday party, but it just didn’t match up.
Paramount Pictures / Via flickr.com
Omeletteville (Saturday Night Live)
Alright, so we don’t have much to go off of in terms of interior design, but breakfast food + Justin Timberlake in an omelette costume = more than enough to get started.
NBC / Via pintrest.com
Good Burger (Good Burger)
If we can’t get Kel, we’re going to need a convincing look-a-like, because he is the heart and soul of this (dare I say, excellent?) idea.
Nickeldoen / Via youtube.com
Lulu’s Pies (Waitress)
The pies look so delectable, the world DESERVES to try them all. Obviously, there will be the occasional surprise performance from the Broadway cast.
Fox Searchlight Pictures / Via variety.com
Arnold’s (Happy Days)
This list might be a little oversaturated with ’50s diners, but Arnold’s is a classic and it would be just plain rude to leave it out. Requirements: someone dressed as The Fonz hitting the jukebox for some cool, free tunes.
ABC / Via happydays.wikia.com
The Snakehole Lounge (Parks and Rec)
JJ’s isn’t the only Pawnee staple we want to see come to life. This place is going to be slick and hoppin’. And there’s only one requirement: Snake Juice.
NBC / Via coub.com
Madam Puddifoot’s Tea Shop (Harry Potter)
Most of the Harry Potter locations have been done, but aside from a storefront at Universal Studios, Madam Puddifoot’s is still up for grabs. We’ve had coffee shops and bars and restaurant pop-ups… It’s tea’s time!
Bloomsbury / Via hp-lexicon.org
Tiana’s Palace (The Princess and the Frog)
This would definitely be the fanciest pop-up of them all. Delicious cajun cuisine PLUS a gator-led band?? Shut it down, this is the best idea of them all.
Disney / Via disney.com
What are some pop-ups you’d like to see? Tell us in the comments!
Also, if any of these already exist, please let us know so I can visit them ASAP.
WB / Via ctboom.com