NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – They're not monkeying around this time!
Months after social media went wild for an April Fools' joke about a Rainforest Cafe coming to the top of the Empire State Building, it's actually happening.
The jungle-themed restaurant chain, most often found in suburban malls, will open a limited time pop-up location at the 86th floor observatory in October.
The idea was first pitched earlier this year on April Fools’ Day, when the Empire State Building’s social media team announced “the launch of the World's Highest Rainforest Cafe.”
The X post—replete with renderings of the restaurant adorned with palm trees high above the concrete jungle—led to “massive interest and quick reactions from fans online,” the Empire State Building said.
And thus, the pop-up was born. It will be held Thursday, Oct. 3 to Sunday, Oct. 6. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. All guests will be able to visit the Rainforest Cafe with the purchase of an observatory ticket.
There will be limited edition Rainforest Cafe x ESB merchandise available for purchase, as well as food offerings, organizers said.
The Rainforest Cafe also teased the pop-up on Instagram Thursday with video of its mascot Cha Cha the tree frog entering the revolving doors of the Empire State Building.
The fabled restaurant, with its luscious backdrops and animatronic animals, actually has a New York City connection—its creator Steven Schussler grew up in Queens. He opened the first location at the Mall of America in 1994.
While this NYC location is only temporary, fans don't have to venture far to get their Rainforest Cafe fix—there's one at the Menlo Park Mall in Edison, New Jersey.