‘Game of Thrones’ Pop-Up Bar Heading to Chicago’s Lincoln Park

It’s 2019 and pop-up bars centered around pop-culture properties are still coming. Replay Lincoln Park is now capitalizing on Games of Thrones’ final TV season which releases in April. Management will decorate its arcade bar in homage to the HBO fantasy drama and they’ll sell GoT beer from Brewery Ommegang. The Game of Thrones pop-up starts on February 1 at Replay, 2833 N. Sheffield Avenue.

A news release claims visitors will be able to explore the seven kingdoms from the TV show based on a series of books by George R.R. Martin. Replay, which debuted as a bar full of vintage arcade video games, has shifted toward hosting pop-ups since 2017 tapping into various fanbases. They’ve milked properties including The Simpsons, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Fortnite, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Friends, Pokemon Go, The Office, South Park, Rick and Morty, and Star Wars.

Taking the formula established with other pop-ups, Replay will commemorate Game of Thrones’ fans favorite episodes including The Red Wedding. Management is even promising some sort of jousting competition. It’s unclear what that means. It might be a reference to Joust, a 1982 video game classic. The space should be Instagram friendly so customers could take photos next to the show’s famous Iron Throne and other props. A release warns of “White Walkers” and mentions dragons. There’s also trivia nights and specialty drinks including “Dothaquiri.”

Admission is free, but unlike past pop-ups customers have another option if they want to pay $20. The VIP package lets them cut lines for “express” entry, a pint of mead of beer in a souvenir goblet, and a commemorative pin or print.

It’s not the first time an arcade bar has hosted a Game of Thrones pop-up. Boston and Washington, D.C. held events, while Edinburgh was the site for a full-fledged restaurant full of Westeros fare. Replay didn’t share a closing date for its pop-up.