The first bar in Dallas with a “Barbie” theme is called “BAR-bie.”
The Whippersnapper, a bar on Henderson Avenue, is the most Barbie-themed place in Dallas, with its sparkling drinks, high-heeled brunches, and pink pasta gift box, among other things.
The Whip will soon open as BAR-bie, a “real-life version of the iconic DreamHhouse” that can be used for photos, the bar said in a statement.
Even if it’s just for a few weeks, you can be a Barbie girl in a Barbie world. The pop-up bar should start on August 10 at 10 p.m. and stay open until September 30. The Barbie movie with Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling came out about three weeks before its big opening in Dallas.
And are they able to do it? Pop-up bars have been held at The Whip many times by its owners. Early in 2022, they redecorated the bar with Friends souvenirs, which made us say “How you doin’?” in our best Joey voice. They have worked on The Simpsons. Breaking Bad, complete with drinks based on meth. Both Game of Thrones and Harry Potter were big hits. All of the pop-ups have brought new people to East Dallas to see a one-of-a-kind joke that isn’t done anywhere else in the area.
Barbie was an easy “yes” for owners Phil Schanbaum and Brandon Hays, who have nothing to do with Barbie or any of the other movies or TV shows their bar has recognized over the years.
“Barbie is so nostalgic,” Hays said to The Dallas Morning News. “When we plan pop-ups, we look for something that will attract a lot of people who want to enjoy something they already know. Barbie is just what we need.”
They are also involved in a bar in the Design District called Double D’s, but our tall blonde won’t be there.
Even though the movie was about a doll with a body that was almost impossible to get, it was a huge hit in its first weekend, with $162 million in sales in its first three days, according to CNBC. It has an 89% score on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes.
“Barbie doll-rivers,” the Los Angeles Times said with glee.
The Dallas bar will get a new look that makes it look like Barbie’s house. Inside the bar, there is a Corvette bed and a wall full of Barbie stuff.
As with all of the Whip’s pop-ups, the food and drinks will fit the theme. There are drinks called “Life in Plastic” and “He’s Just Ken,” but we don’t know what’s in them yet. There will be a California club at dinner.
At BAR-bie, customers are urged to dress up as Barbie, Ken, or one of their friends. (Does anyone remember the unpopular Midge doll?)
Everyone is welcome to bring a Barbie or Barbie-related item that will be given to Children’s Medical Center.
BAR-bie is located in Dallas at 1806 McMillan Ave., where The Whippersnapper used to be. The BAR-bie pop-up shop should be open from August 10 to September 30.
