Starting July 11, Malibu Barbie Café will take over Bayside Kitchen and Bar at 2137 Pacific Highway in downtown San Diego. Created by experiential brand Bucket Listers in collaboration with Mattel, this highly anticipated attraction promises a vibrant mix of nostalgic "Barbiecore" style, family-friendly food, retro roller skating, and plenty of pink.
This marks the latest stop in the café’s cross-country tour, following sold-out runs in cities like New York, Chicago, Miami, and Austin. For its San Diego debut, the pop-up experience will feature a fully themed café and indoor roller rink designed to evoke the sun-soaked, carefree spirit of Barbie’s original 1970s Malibu roots.
"We’re honored to bring this joyful, immersive experience to San Diego," said Derek Berry, President of Experiences at Bucket Listers and the creative mind behind other pop-culture pop-ups like Saved by the Max and The Golden Girls Kitchen. "Just in time for Comic-Con, we’re bringing something totally unique to the city that celebrates one of the world’s most iconic characters."
Guests can expect a curated fast-casual menu from MasterChef finalist and Chopped champion Chef Becky Brown. The lineup includes all-day brunch items, salads, desserts, and Barbie-inspired cocktails and mocktails. Tickets to the experience start at $25 and include a dining credit and access to exclusive Barbie merchandise.
In addition to the food and photo-ready interiors, the Malibu Barbie Café will include a groovy indoor roller rink, themed merchandise, and a lineup of rotating events like cupcake decorating classes, paint parties, and 21+ adults-only skate nights. Skates will be available to rent, with $1 from each rental donated to the American Red Cross in support of California wildfire relief.
Julie Freeland, Mattel’s VP of Global Location-Based Entertainment, emphasized the brand’s commitment to creating meaningful, fan-forward activations: "Every detail - from the decor to the menu - has been thoughtfully designed to celebrate the iconic Barbie style and legacy."
San Diego fans can join the waitlist now at BucketListers.com to receive early access when tickets go on sale June 11. The café will run for a limited time, with strong demand expected during Comic-Con and summer weekends. For updates and sneak peeks, follow @barbiecafeofficial on Instagram.
In addition to the food and photo-ready interiors, the Malibu Barbie Café will include a groovy indoor roller rink, themed merchandise, and a lineup of rotating events like cupcake decorating classes, paint parties, and 21+ adults-only skate nights. Skates will be available to rent, with $1 from each rental donated to the American Red Cross in support of California wildfire relief.
Julie Freeland, Mattel’s VP of Global Location-Based Entertainment, emphasized the brand’s commitment to creating meaningful, fan-forward activations: "Every detail - from the decor to the menu - has been thoughtfully designed to celebrate the iconic Barbie style and legacy."
San Diego fans can join the waitlist now at BucketListers.com to receive early access when tickets go on sale June 11. The café will run for a limited time, with strong demand expected during Comic-Con and summer weekends. For updates and sneak peeks, follow @barbiecafeofficial on Instagram.
Originally published on May 28, 2025.
