friends tv show set tour

How to Visit the “Friends Studio Tour” in LA with the Warner Bros Hollywood Tour

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Looking for a Friends studio tour or Friends set tour to do in LA? Read on for a guide on how to visit some of the most iconic and famous sets from Friends with one of the best studio tours in LA.

We here are GeekTrippers are obsessed with finding the best filming locations around the world, and as avid Friends fans, one of our biggest bucket list items has been visiting the Friends set in real life!

We got to fulfill this dream a few years ago in LA, and again recently with a return to the (newly improved) version of the tour that includes way more sets and fun photo opps, including the original Friends fountain.

For movie and TV lovers, Los Angeles offers several studio tours that bring you right into the action so you can personally witness where the magic of film and television come alive.

In this post, we’ll share with you how you can tour the Friends set in LA (sort of) and show you the wonders of the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Burbank.

IMPORTANT: If visiting the Friends set and Warner Bros Studio Tour is important to you, make SURE you book your tour in advance online . This attraction is wildly popular and we almost missed out on going because we procrastinated. There are very limited tickets available on-site, so buying in advance these days is 100% the way to go. Check ticket price and availability here.

How to Tour the Friends Set and Studio in LA

Unfortunately, there is no Friends Studio Tour in LA that will allow you to visit all your favourite Friends sets from the show (i.e. every apartment).

The closest thing to a Friends set tour where you can visit Monica and Rachel’s apartment set, along with Joey and Chandler’s apartment set, Ross’ apartment set and even the Central Perk set all in one go is the FRIENDS Experience , which doesn’t have any stops in Los Angeles.

When people talk about doing the Friends studio tour in LA though, what they are really talking about the Warner Bros Studio Hollywood Tour in Burbank, which is not a 100% Friends themed set tour, but rather a studio tour that takes you to various sets and backlots including ones seen in Friends.

If you love TV, this is a must-do experience, with wonderfully familiar sets from Friends, Gilmore Girls, Pretty Little Liars, and more.

As of 2021 though, there is WAY more to offer for Friends fans, including a full-on “Central Perk Café” and Friends boutique, where you can grab a coffee amidst recreated apartment sets.

Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood: Details

The Warner Bros Studio Tour is located in Burbank and tickets start at $69 per person.

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours total (1 hour guided, 2 hours self guided), and is capped at 12 people per tour to ensure a more personal experience.

Be sure to book your tour  online in advance, as time slots can get filled quickly.

We opted for the cost-effective Studio Tour (as opposed to the pricier Deluxe tour), and it was more than enough for us! 

Tours are offered from 8:15am-4:00pm Monday-Friday.

Our Experience Touring the Friends Studio/Set at the Warner Bros Hollywood Studio Tour

Warning: spoilers ahead! I’ll be going into detail about where they brought us and what we saw on the tour, so you better look away if you’re a fan of surprises! The photos and experience below are from our most recent in visit in 2022.

1. Getting to the Warner Brothers Studio Lot

The address for the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Hollywood is 3400 Warner Blvd. Burbank, CA 91505.

This is the address you would put into a rideshare app or taxi, but there is also covered parking available here at the Tour Center for $15 per vehicle.

2. The Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood Welcome Center

Here, you’ll find a full-service Starbucks where you can grab a drink by the Tri-Wizard Cup from Harry Potter, as well as the Warner Bros. Studio Store, which is filled with amazing merch from across fandoms.

The tour will bring you back into the store at the end, so don’t worry about buying all your souvenirs now. It’s highly recommended you buy your ticket online because day-of tickets are highly limited, and the experience is just way smoother if you have your tickets already.

3. Warner Bros Storytelling Showcase

After you show your tickets, your tour begins with a storytelling showcase that explores the century-long history of Warner Bros through old photos and displays.

While this is a more general showcase area, there are some fun props for Friends fans, like one of Phoebe’s guitars:

4. The Warner Bros Hollywood Studio Tour Pre-Show 

After you go through the Storytelling showcase, you are brought into a nice waiting area that has decorated with international posters from famous Warner Bros movies.

From here, you are brought into a theatre for a pre-show introduction to Warner Bros, featuring clips from the myriad of films and shows that they have produced.

This little film does an awesome job of pumping you up for the tour! After this, you will meet your tour guide and will then be sent on your way.

5. Warner Bros Backlot Tour

After the intro film, you are loaded onto the giant golf carts and sent off to explore some backlots. Since the studio is a working one, which specific backlots you see will depend on what is currently in use for filming.

The tour guides here are really knowledgable and fun, and tend to start the tour by asking which Warner Bros movies/shows you like.

Don’t be shy here, because they will tailor the tour based on your interests, so if your goal is to see as many Friends filming locations as possible, they will help point them out!

As well as Midwest Street, which is supposedly one of the most used sets in Hollywood.

Most notably, it has appeared as Star’s Hollow from Gilmore Girls, and Rosewood from Pretty Little Liars. While here, we got off the carts to explore a bit on foot, taking time for lots of photos at the Star’s Hollow gazebo:

We then stopped off to see the interior of a house set, which happened to be the house where Monica and Rachel’s  prom video  was shot. Can’t you picture sad Ross on those stairs?!

We also went past Stage 24, which is the Friends stage. Unfortunately, it was in use, so not open to visitors!

Stage 48: Script to Screen

After the backlot tour, you will be brought to Stage 48, which is home to an exciting museum-esque display of sets, costumes, and props, arranged in a sort of way that mimics the production process, from initial scriptwriting all the way to special effects at the end.

The best part is that this stage is super interactive, with plenty of staff photographers scattered around to help you get the perfect photo.

You’ll find the real Central Perk set here, which is so much smaller in real life than it looks on TV.

There were also a few sets from the Big Bang Theory.

And a really fun interactive area where you can see some special effects at work.

Central Perk Café and Friends Boutique

At the end of the Stage 48 experience, you are brought to the new Central Perk Café and Friends Boutique.

If your main goal for doing the tour is seeing sets from Friends in real life, then THIS is your place to shine.

There’s of course the cafe itself, which serves a variety of coffee/deli treats, some of which are named after the Friends themselves, or based on the show (e.g. Rachel’s English Trifle, luckily without any meat).

We’d advise 1000% to get your coffee for here, rather than to go, because you have your pick at fun places to sip and marvel at the MANY Friends easter eggs scattered around the cafe/boutique.

You can sit and have a drink at “Central Perk”:

Grab a seat at Monica & Rachel’s kitchen table or sofa:

Or enjoy some chill time on one of Joey and Chandler’s BarcaLoungers, before spending your life savings around the gift shop, where every single item is Friends themed. We couldn’t resist going home with a Central Perk mug. It just had to be done.

Action and Magic Made Here

After you’ve spent all your money, you step outside and take a short golf cart shuttle over to the final part of the tour, which is called “Action and Magic Made Here”.

During our visit, this part of the tour was clearly divided into two sections: the world of DC and the world of Harry Potter.

The DC section had lots of cool costumes and props from the more recent DC movies, including old Batmobiles and outfits from the Justice League & Suicide Squad.

The Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts section had a few different rooms, including a Potions classroom, Herbology classroom, and the interior of Newt’s briefcase.

This part of the tour concludes with a display of the awards Warner Bros has won, and you get to take a photo with your own real life Oscar if you so wish!

Warner Bros. Studio Store

The final stop was of course the gift shop, where you could find a variety of fun souvenirs from across fandoms.

If you’re not sick of photos just yet, there are also some unique costumes on display! During our visit, we got to see some more costumes from the DC Universe, like suits from Grant Gustin’s Flash and Stephen Amell’s Arrow.

How to Visit the Friends Set in Real Life

So, to recap, if your goal is to explore the sets from Friends in real life, you either have to wait for a travelling exhibition like FriendsFest, or you should go to LA and book the Warner Bros Hollywood Studio Tour so you can see the Central Perk set, Friends fountain, and other recreated sets at the Central Perk Café and Friends Boutique.

We hope you enjoyed this guide to doing a Friends set tour. Let us know in the comments if you have any more questions!

GeekTrippers Team

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FRIENDS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. WB SHIELD: © & ™ WBEI.

STEP INSIDE THE WORLD OF FRIENDS TM

Experience your favorite show like never before, iconic photo ops.

Explore set recreations including Joey and Chandler’s apartment, Monica’s kitchen, Central Perk and more.

PROPS & COSTUMES

See a wide array of replica props and costumes, bringing you one step closer to your favorite characters.

WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING

Plan your trip.

Location: Back Bay | 343 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115

Operating Hours: Wednesday: 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (last entry) Thursday and Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (last entry) Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (last entry) Closed Monday & Tuesday

Age Requirement: All ages are welcome. Guests 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old. Children 3 and younger don’t need a ticket when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The FRIENDS™ Experience: The One in Boston | Back Bay 343 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115

Subway (T): Green Line (B,C,D): Hynes Convention Center Station. 5-minute walk. Bus: Routes 1, CT1, or 55.

Parking: On-Street: Metered parking on Newbury Street. Garages: Hynes Auditorium Garage (50 Dalton St), Prudential Center Garage (800 Boylston St), Pilgrim Parking (50 Dalton St).

By Bike: Bluebikes: Nearby stations at Newbury St / Hereford St and Boylston St / Massachusetts Ave.

WHERE IS THE FRIENDS™ EXPERIENCE LOCATED?

The FRIENDS™ Experience: The One in Boston is located in the Back Bay district of Boston at 343 Newbury St.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

The most immersive FRIENDS™ Experience ever. There are set recreations, replica props and costumes, and even the iconic orange couch! Oh. My. Gawd! Not to mention plenty of Instagram-worthy photo opportunities and limited-edition merchandise! Could you BE any more excited?

WHAT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE PREVIOUS BOSTON POP-UP?

Step into an even bigger world of FRIENDS™ at this experience! You will get to interact with more than ever before while exploring new details like Monica’s kitchen, the iconic apartment hallway, an enhanced Central Perk set, plus exclusive behind-the-scenes content from the show. Premium photo opportunities are also now available at various locations throughout the experience!

DO YOU ACCEPT CASH?

We do not accept cash. All forms of cashless payment are accepted.

IS PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO ALLOWED?

You’re encouraged to take photos and videos throughout the space! Remember to share your photos on social media with #FriendsTheExperience so we can see them! Photo Equipment, such as tripods, light stands, and reflectors, are not permitted inside.

We also have premium photo opportunities available at various locations throughout the experience. Digital and printed photos are available for that perfect FRIENDS™ memento!

ARE FOOD AND DRINKS ALLOWED INSIDE THE EXPERIENCE?

No Food or Drink Allowed. After the spaghetti sauce stain on the couch, this rule is at Monica’s insistence! Resealable bottles of water are always welcome.

CAN I REFUND OR EXCHANGE MY TICKET? ARE TICKETS TRANSFERABLE?

Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable . The name on the ticket must match at least one member of your party, and photo ID is required for verification. Fake IDs aren’t accepted—we’re looking at you, “Regina Phalange!”

ARE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR?

Limited standby tickets are available at the door. Guests with timed-entry tickets have priority, so we recommend buying tickets online in advance.

WHAT IF I BOUGHT MY TICKET FOR THE WRONG DATE OR TIME?

Tickets can be adjusted to a new date and time (subject to availability) if changed prior to the date and time of the tickets. Please fill out the showclix contact form for assistance.

IS THERE AN AGE REQUIREMENT TO ATTEND THIS EXPERIENCE?

All ages are welcome. Guests 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old. Children 3 and under do not need a ticket when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

DO YOU OFFER GROUP SALES?

For groups of 10 or more or for additional information, please email  [email protected]  and a member of our guest services team will be back to you in about 3 business days.

DOES THE FRIENDS™ EXPERIENCE HAVE A CODE OF CONDUCT?

Providing a safe and fun environment for guests is our number one priority. All guests must adhere to our Experience Code of Conduct below.

• Profanity, abusive language and unruly behavior are not permitted.
• Sharp objects, weapons, and illegal contraband are not permitted on premises.
• If you are late or need to reschedule your ticket to another time/date, there is a standby line; if an opening becomes available, we will allow entry on a first-come, first-served basis. Entry is not guaranteed.
• We reserve the right to inspect all packages, bags, backpacks, purses, fanny packs or any other container on the premise.
• Line jumping is prohibited. Guests who line jump will not be allowed to access the attraction or retail store.
• Guests are required to wear shirts, pants, and shoes.
• Smoking and vaping is prohibited.
• No outside food or drink is permitted. Water bottles and reusable water bottles with a cap that can be sealed are welcome.  Lost Item Disclaimer: The FRIENDSTM Experience is not responsible for any lost or stolen items .

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET TO THE EXPERIENCE?

Public Transit: The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), or “The T” to locals, is the lifeline of Boston’s public transportation, offering multiple convenient ways to traverse Back Bay. Back Bay is served by the Orange Line and Green Line.

Taxis/Rideshare: Taxis are readily available throughout Back Bay, and you can hail one on the street or find them at designated taxi stands. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft operate extensively in the Back Bay area.

IS THERE PARKING?

We encourage you to use public transportation whenever possible. There are several private parking garages as well as limited metered parking nearby if you drive. Plan ahead to find the most convenient and affordable spot.

IS THE FRIENDS™ EXPERIENCE ADA ACCESSIBLE?

We’re proud to be fully accessible for guests with many different disabilities and neurodiversities, and we strive to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable.

If you’d like to let us know you’re coming or if you need additional assistance, please email  [email protected]  or let any of our friendly team members know during your visit.

CAN I BUY MERCH AT THE FRIENDS™ EXPERIENCE?

Of course!  The FRIENDS™ Experience Store  will be open to the public and ticketed guests any time  The FRIENDS™ Experience  is open! Please keep in mind we have strict capacity limits and will admit Guests to the store as capacity allows.

We have t-shirts, pins, mugs, Hugsy-Joey’s Bedtime Penguin Pal- and so much more! Why not get your lobster a Crap Bag?

IS THERE AN ONLINE STORE?

Yes! Go to  Store.FriendsTheExperience.com  for a selection of official merch. But please note, some items are only available in  The FRIENDS™ Experience Store .

DO YOU ACCEPT REFUNDS/EXCHANGES?

Yes, we accept returns within 30 days of purchase. If you have any questions about your purchase, please email  [email protected] .

HOW CAN I WORK WITH THE FRIENDS™ EXPERIENCE?

All press, influencers and sponsorship inquiries should contact us here .

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign up to be the first to know when tickets go on sale, plus receive exclusive deals on tickets and merchandise..

THE FRIENDS™ EXPERIENCE STORE

Shop for exclusive FRIENDS™ merch, from Central Perk mugs to Crap Bags to Monica’s Strawberry Breakup Jam. You can even bring home your own Hugsy. I KNOW!

If you just can’t wait, shop online now to get your FRIENDS™ fix faster than Joey can eat a sandwich.

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What’s new inside ‘friends’ boutique and central perk cafe on warner bros. studio tour.

A Thursday press event introduced all the key elements of the revamped tour and featured appearances by filmmaker Patty Jenkins and 'Friends' actress Maggie Wheeler.

By Chris Gardner

Chris Gardner

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The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood reopens this weekend after an extended hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Friends star Maggie Wheeler has a hunch that staffers may need to keep a close watch on the clock inside the revamped Central Perk Café and Friends boutique.

“When I had my walkthrough earlier, I said, ‘I don’t know how you’re going to get people to leave,’ because if I were on the tour and I got to come and spend some time [here], sit down with friends and eat, I just don’t think people are going to want to leave,” she said during a relaunch event for media and influencers on Thursday while standing in a corner of the boutique modeled to look like Monica’s kitchen from the iconic comedy series. “It feels like the show. It feels like [walking down] memory lane. I think people are going to be really, really excited to walk through and spend time here.”

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Located in Stage 48: Script to Screen, Central Perk Café and the boutique are only accessible with the purchase of a Studio Tour ticket. Guests will find an upgraded menu, new items in the store (some of which are only available on site) and new places to kick back and take in the scene that features recreated sets inspired by the show including Central Perk, Joey and Chandler’s apartment, and Monica’s apartment. Also on view: Costumes worn by the cast and other props from the show that celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2019.

As for the food, Central Perk boasts an expanded New York deli-inspired menu including corned beef melts, pizza wedges, hot dogs, fries, salads, hot and cold sandwiches, a special blend of Central Perk coffee with new Friends character-inspired beverages. Sweet treats include a recreation of Rachel’s Thanksgiving trifle (sans meat), New York-style cheesecake, Central Perk cupcakes, and other bakery items.

The boutique features an exclusive collection of kitchen and dining ware, Monica’s famous door frame,  Friends  reunion-inspired spirit jerseys and coffee mugs, and a wide range of gifts, souvenirs and collectibles. Central Perk coffee beans are also on sale and are exclusive to the location.

Wheeler was the lone Friends cast member who attended the tour relaunch press day and she did so on the heels of appearing on HBO Max’s Friends reunion opposite Jennifer Aniston , Courteney Cox , Lisa Kudrow , David Schwimmer , Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry (and a cadre of guest stars and celebrity fans). She said that she was “really aware” that the show had that special something from the moment she stepped on set to play Chandler’s on-again-off-again love interest Janice.

“Of course, everybody knows that the camaraderie between the cast members was so palpable, so real, that it was bound to translate,” explained Wheeler, who also predicted that if Janice were out in the world today, her life would include a successful line of animal print handbags and possibly a podcast for lovelorn listeners. “It felt very, very special from the first time I showed up to work. I knew that it was going to be something special. Nobody could have predicted the rocket to the moon, but it was definitely there.”

As for how it impacted the rest of her life, Wheeler said, “To be part of something that means so much to so many people, that’s brought people so much comfort and joy over these years — all generations and new generations each year with new streaming platforms — it’s really an incredible blessing.”

Advanced bookings of the tour are required with options in English and Spanish and with costs ranging from $57 (for SoCal residents on weekdays through Sept. 30) to $69. More information can be found here and additional images from inside the revamped Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood can be seen below.

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Warner Bros. Studio Tour expands its Friends experience with new sets

See EW's exclusive photos from the updated experience, including a rebuilt set of Monica's apartment.

Samantha is a writer based in Los Angeles. Television is her one true love, and she tweets about it. A lot.

Following the Friends reunion , Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is upgrading its fan experience.

When the tour reopens on Saturday, Friends fans will enjoy an expanded Central Perk, complete with a New York deli-inspired menu including corn beef melts, pizza wedges, fries, and more, not to mention the most important item: Central Perk coffee. Dessert offerings will include Rachel's Thanksgiving trifle — without the meat — cheesecake, and more.

Additionally, the tour has recreated sets inspired by Joey and Chandler's apartment and Monica's apartment, where you can dine at Monica's kitchen table or even on her sofa. (No crumbs allowed!)

The tour is also adding new Friends merchandise, from a collection of kitchen and dining ware to coffee mugs and other collectibles.

Get an exclusive look at the expanded experience below:

Related content:

• David Schwimmer isn't over the Friends reunion, and neither are we
• The Friends cast had a pre-reunion on Zoom, and one of them used Matt LeBlanc as their background
• Reunited Friends cast shares never-before-told memories from finale

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