Toronto has gone pink. Malibu Barbie Cafe, the travelling pop-up that has toured ten U.S. cities, opened its doors at 70 The Esplanade on Aug. 13 for its Canadian debut.

The retro beach-themed dining experience, complete with a roller rink and exclusive merchandise, runs through Nov. 1 — an eleven-week stay at the corner of The Esplanade and Church Street.

The venue is a converted 19th-century brick-and-beam warehouse most recently home to Goose Island Brewhouse. According to 6ixRetail, little of the old brewhouse remains: a pink bench swing greets guests at the entrance, followed by a life-sized doll box built for photos, a checkered pink bar with a full food and bar menu, and a second room anchored by the Beach Shop.

Photo installations are spread throughout the space, including a Wave Arch, a Boom Box display, a lifeguard chair and a life-sized Volkswagen van cutout called the Barbie Dream Cam, along with a cupcake tower styled as a Dream Boat and a wall tracing the history of beach-themed Barbie dolls.

A travelling set

The production is operated by Bucket Listers Presents, a division that moves the entire build from city to city, with creative direction under President of Experiences Derek Berry and Mattel signing off on how the brand is represented at each stop.

"We're essentially a travelling set. We take everything down and rebuild it in the next city. Every piece you see here has appeared somewhere before, but how we arrange it is always different." — Keely O'Neal, Bucket Listers' Director of Experience Management, speaking to 6ixRetail at a media preview

O'Neal called Toronto the company's eleventh city and its first international stop, saying every space is designed for its host city and that this one "feels distinctly Toronto" to her. She has spent three years with Bucket Listers Presents, helping build spaces including The Golden Girls Kitchen and The Family Guy Experience.

Bucket Listers founder and CEO Andy Lederman told 6ixRetail in July that Toronto was the natural choice to lead the Canadian expansion, and said Montreal and Vancouver are already part of the company's plans. VP of Expansion Zack Gorab is handling inquiries from prospective venue partners.

What's on the calendar

On select nights, the cafe will host cupcake decorating classes, paint parties and 21+ skate nights on the patio rink, where a wall of roller skates and a "Let the Good Times Roll" sign set the scene.

Tickets are available online starting between $38 and $42 per person and include a $10 food credit and a $5 merchandise credit. Reservations are recommended for the 90-minute seatings. Proceeds from roller skate rentals support the cafe's charity partner, Girls Inc.

The Beach Shop stocks items from a $14 keychain up to $42, including apparel, mugs, tote bags and an exclusive Barbie doll line sold only on site.

Malibu Barbie Cafe runs through Nov. 1 at 70 The Esplanade. Tickets and reservations are available at bucketlisters.com.