‘Family Guy’ Pop-Up Bar Arrives in Boston With Themed Cocktails and ‘Master Chef’-Helmed Food Menu

(Photos: Bucket Listers)

Derek Berry, president of Bucket Listers, says his favorite cocktail from an upcoming “Family Guy”-inspired installation is the “What the Deuce” — a color-changing concoction inspired by the show’s famed, oddly British toddler, Stewie. Berry’s favorite food item? The “Giggity Giggity Gooey Burger.” Exact recipe, unclear.

In an era of endless crossovers and synergistic brand deals, it should come as no surprise that “Family Guy” is translating its billion-dollar franchise into the real world. Setting up shop in Boston on July 18, the already viral Drunken Clam experience is stuffed to the brim with references to the show’s animated lore. For $18, guests can explore a fully realized recreation of the Griffin family living room complete with its iconic light-pink couch. Elsewhere, they’ll find a Quahog News set, an evil monkey hiding in a closet and a themed menu created by “Master Chef” finalist Becky Brown.

Cocktails up for grabs include the “Shut Up Meg” (infused gin, honey, lemon and thyme) and the “Pewterschmidt Industries” (bonded bourbon, peach liqueur, lime, basil and Topo Chico).

Berry’s company has developed a reputation synonymous with this very particular concept. In years past, Bucket Listers has hosted a “Back to the Future” speakeasy, a Malibu Barbie Cafe and a “Real Housewives”-inflected cocktail experience dubbed Diamonds and Rosé. At the event company’s upcoming Emo Brunch in Chicago, attendees are invited to enjoy a main entree alongside Welcome To the Black Parade bottomless mimosas.

If you haven’t seen one of these activations in the wild yet, there’s a good chance one is touching down near your hometown sooner rather than later.

“We’re living in a time where people want experiences just as much as — if not more than — physical products,” Berry said. “Pop-ups tap into that desire for connection, nostalgia, and community. They’re ephemeral, which makes them exciting. They also let fans step into the world of something they love, not just watch it from a screen. That kind of engagement is powerful — it’s emotional, it’s shareable, and it creates a memory that lasts way beyond a social post.”

The current pop-up craze arguably found its footing in brands like Crumbl Cookies. By providing limited-edition, ultra-Instagrammable goods that vanish within weeks or months, venues have discovered a golden goose of desirability. Think of it like a one-off sneaker drop, but expanded to just about everything else imaginable.

Bucket Listers’ twist on the theme taps into broader trends. As companies work harder than ever to court consumers in real life, branded activations have provided the best of all worlds. From its sizzling neon lights to its bespoke cocktails, The Drunken Clam was clearly designed with social media feeds in mind — but in a manner that can only be fully appreciated if you attend in person. It’s a uniquely 21st-century strategy to revive wilting on-premise sales. And the alcohol industry has been quick to take note.

Earlier this month, Wes Anderson’s latest film, “The Phoenician Scheme,” was commemorated with an immersive bar takeover in London that served smoked Cantabrian anchovies alongside champagne cocktails and white negronis. Staff members were clad in red carnations and fez hats that mirrored the movie’s luxurious speakeasy, Marseille Bob’s. Though Anderson’s previous film, “Asteroid City,” may not have gotten a venue of its own, it did receive a themed lager helmed by Dogfish Head Brewery.

Other stabs at the concept have included a “Blade Runner” bar in downtown Los Angeles, a “Breaking Bad” experience offering blue crystal meth-colored drinks and a “Saved By The Bell” pop-up drenched in nostalgic 1990s-era decorations (those last two were helmed by Berry).

From a creative standpoint, the possibilities are limitless. TV shows and movies are a medium defined by their aesthetics, characters and — occasionally — iconic recipes. For a property like “Family Guy,” Berry says that the options leaped off the page.

“We pulled references directly from the series and asked ourselves: what would Peter Griffin actually order on a Friday night? How would Quagmire name a cocktail? We wanted the food and drinks to be both clever and craveable — so you’ll see everything from boozy nods to recurring gags to hearty bar fare that feels right at home in a New England dive.”