The 'FRIENDS' Experience is in Manila for a limited time. Here’s what's in store for fans
"How you doin’?" The FRIENDS Experience, an immersive pop-up based on the popular ‘90s sitcom, is finally here in Manila. After traveling around 30 cities in the US, Europe, and Australia, Manila is its first stop for its Asian tour.
Pivot your way to The Space At Solaire, Solaire Resort Entertainment City in Parañaque City, from October 8 to November 30, to catch The One in Manila.
Imagine peeping out from the purple door into Monica’s kitchen, lounging on La-Z-Boys in Chandler’s and Joey’s apartment, or catching up with your best buds over coffee in Central Perk without having to travel all the way to New York! Could we BE any more excited?
Friends followed the lives and loves of six New Yorkers: Monica Geller, Chandler Bing, Rachel Green, Ross Geller, Phoebe Buffay, and Joey Tribbiani, who, for many television audiences, epitomized the ultimate Gen X squad goals.
The beloved sitcom, which ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004, starred Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, and the late Matthew Perry.
While it’s been over 30 years since it debuted, the show continues to delight new generations of fans thanks to modern streaming platforms.
PhilSTAR L!fe got a sneak peek of the awesome experience ahead of the public launch, and all we can say is OH.MY.GAWD!
Here’s what to expect from The FRIENDS Experience: The One in Manila.
Recreated sets from the show
@philstarlife Oh... my... Gawd! Recreate iconic scenes, recall your favorite lines, and discover the creation of the '90s hit sitcom only at 'The Friends Experience: The One in Manila', now open at The Space at Solaire Resort until Nov. 30. @gmg.productions #FriendsTheExperience #FriendsTheExperienceAsia #TheOneInManila ♬ original sound - philstarlife
Get your cameras ready and relive your favorite scenes from the beloved show while walking through life-sized sets and playing with interactive props. We’d recommend channelling nostalgic '90s fashion or dressing to match your favorite character to make the most of the experience.
After an introductory video, the first main room features the famous orange couch in front of a replica fountain seen in the show’s opening credits. Cue I’ll be there for you by The Rembrandts for your background music for this spot.
Entry tickets come with a scannable photo ticket stub. A QR Code and unique photo code allow fans to access and download official photos within 30 days of their visit. Dedicated staff can also help take your souvenir photos and videos with your phones for complete group shots.
Behind-the-scenes trivia and costume design
The immersive experience provides a slew of fun, behind-the-scenes content for pop culture geeks. One display delves into the show’s history, creators, and artwork, reflecting the Manhattan City locations.
Another display focuses on costumes. Mannequins reflect the characters’ distinct looks, from Rachel’s chic outfits to Monica’s classic pieces, Ross’s preppy work attire, Joey’s actor ensemble, Chandler’s sweater vests, and Phoebe’s boho-chic style.
Rachel’s evolving hairstyles through the seasons are also on display. Did you know that Aniston’s shag and bob haircut in the show’s first and second seasons became so popular that it was named “the Rachel” after her character?
Relationship history
The tour also delves into the gang’s somewhat complicated relationship history.
Ever wondered what Rachel wrote in her 18-page letter to Ross in The One with the Jellyfish episode—which he fell asleep reading? While the letter was never shown in full on TV, all 18 scribbled pages (FRONT AND BACK!) have been blown up and are on display here.
A relationship timeline shows all the characters' love interests through the years, detailing Ross and Rachel’s on-and-off again romance and all the times they were on a break.
The guide also lists Joey and Phoebe’s many partners and tracks Monica and Chandler’s evolution from friends to lovers, which was one of the show’s major highlights.
Interactive photo and video spots
Fans can interact with the furniture and props, perfect for social media snaps and videos.
Relax on couch recliners or play foosball in one corner of Chandler and Joey’s bachelor pad. Snap a photo with Pat the Dog, the white dog statue Joey bought after moving into his new apartment with his first Days of our Lives paycheck. You can even pose as Joey, wearing all of Chandler’s clothes from The One Where No One’s Ready.
Recreate the iconic scene from The One with the Cop where Ross buys a couch and struggles to get it up the stairs to his apartment. "Pivot! Pivot! Pivot.”
And of course, the experience would be incomplete without the hallway between the Boys’ and the Girls’ apartment, where so many amazing conversations and moments on the show took place.
Monica’s Apartment
One of the best areas is the incredibly detailed purple kitchen in Monica and Rachel’s Apartment. Peep into the keyhole under the gold frame on the purple door to look out into the hallway—if you can reach it. Then, pose with a cup of coffee at the breakfast table. The only thing missing is some Nestle Toll House cookies or a slice of Rachel’s English Trifle.
Fun fact: Monica’s Apartment was one of the two most-used set pieces on the show. Every single one of the main six characters on Friends lived there at some point. Just being able to walk around and see all the details up close is a real treat.
Look for the famous Turkey head with sunglasses that Monica wore to apologize to Chandler (and where he first said “I love you”) in The One with All the Thanksgivings, displayed in one corner.
Central Perk Coffee
The best spot is Central Perk, based on the show’s fictional coffee shop and the gang’s default hangout spot, where some of the show’s most memorable moments took place.
Channel Phoebe’s musical stylings, don an apron and hang around the bar where Gunther served coffee, or just sit back on the famous orange couch, with cups of coffee in hand.
ICYDK, aside from the pop-up, Central Perk has gone beyond the screen, with actual coffee shops with permanent locations in Boston and England, with more on the horizon.
Museum Shop
After exiting, you get an exterior view of Central Perk and can make a beeline to the gift shop, which has loads of Friends-related merch for sale, such as shirts, sweaters, sweatpants, umbrellas, and more exclusively available here.
Score Central Perk earrings and FRIENDS playing cards for P600. Other items available include You’re My Lobster Oven Gloves (P900), Central Perk Aprons (P1,100), and Yellow Door Picture Frames (P1,300).
You can even get your very own Hugsy plush (P1,900) based on Joey’s beloved stuffed penguin and "bedtime penguin pal." We also spotted stuffed toys of the Chick and Duck and Marcel (Ross’s white-headed capuchin monkey from the show’s first season), among the merch.
Overall, The FRIENDS Experience is a fun and unique date spot for couples or real-life groups of friends looking for their next quality bonding session.
The FRIENDS Experience: The One in Manila was created by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, Original X Productions, and Warner Bros. Television Group. In Manila, it’s presented by GMG Productions and runs from Oct. 8 to Nov. 30 at The Space at Solaire in Parañaque.
Tickets to The Friends Experience: The One in Manila are available via TicketWorld starting at P1,058 for general admission. Discounts apply to PWDs and senior citizens with valid IDs, diplomats, and children from four to 10 years old.
