Stranger Things-inspired bar to shut down after getting suitably geeky letter from Netflix

By Danette Chavez  |  September 18, 2017 | 3:29pm
Aux News TV

Earlier this summer, a pop-up bar in Chicago began offering Stranger Things fans a chance to visit the “Upside Down,” which was reimagined as an alternate reality where you could also get an Eleven-inspired cocktail. Unsurprisingly, it’s turned out to be a hit, but don’t expect to hold a season two viewing party there. Netflix has caught wind of the pop-up, according to DNAInfo Chicago, and sent a suitably geeky but firmly worded letter to the organizers (who operate local bar Emporium Chicago) to shut things down after the originally planned six-week run comes to an end.

Look, I don’t want you to think I’m a total wastoid, and I love how much you guys love the show. (Just wait until you see Season 2!) But unless I’m living in the Upside Down, I don’t think we did a deal with you for this pop-up. You’re obviously creative types, so I’m sure you can appreciate that it’s important to us to have a say in how our fans encounter the worlds we build.

It’s the most cheerfully worded cease-and-desist letter we’ve ever read, but Netflix clearly asks the “Upside Down” pop-up organizers not to push things: “We’re not going to go full Dr. Brenner on you, but we ask that you please (1) not extend the pop-up beyond its 6 week run ending in September, and (2) reach out to us for permission if you plan to do something like this again.”

There don’t seem to be any hard feelings on either side. As Jared Saul, the “Upside Down” bar’s manager, tells DNAInfo Chicago “if Netflix were OK with us running The Upside Down project through the season two premiere & the Halloween weekend we would most definitely have continued this incredible party a little bit longer,” but it was fun while it lasted.

 
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