Malibu Barbie Comes to Portland: Where to Eat and Drink Pink

ByKatherine Chew HamiltonJuly 21, 2023

Image: Courtesy Mattel Inc.

Portland is the last place we’d expect to care about a Barbie movie, with its anti-consumerist leanings and spurning of mainstream gender norms and beauty standards. But Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is opening this weekend, and screenings are nearly sold out at Living Room Theaters, Studio One Theaters, and Cinema 21; don’t worry, Lloyd Center Theater and Regal Fox Tower have no shortage of tickets.

A hot pink Barbie-rita from Mis Tacones

Image: Courtesy Mis Tacones

A few Portland businesses—and some hyped-up Portlanders—are celebrating, including at Toyshop Ramen, which on Monday drew lines of over thirty customers. What non-plastic foods will the others offer? And what music plays at a Barbie rave? Here’s where to find pink food, drinks, and desserts, plus dance parties, bike rides, and special screenings around town.

Dress up as Barbie for this dance party hosted by Candi Pop. Slogan: “Playing all your favorite plastic hits.” Candi Pop also produces a bubblegum-pop dance party at Holocene once a month.

Dress in pink, pull out your pink bike, and pedal-parade around town starting at Colonel Summers Park before heading to the 9 p.m. Barbie screening at Studio One Theaters.

Pink al pastor tacos from vegan taqueria Mis Tacones

Image: Courtesy Mis Tacones

These freshly made Three Sisters Nixtamal tortillas are stained bubblegum-pink with beet juice, complete with vegan al pastor and plenty of pink pickled onions. On the side, grab a “Barbie-rita”: a glittery pink pitaya and grapefruit margarita with a matching pink umbrella.

Zuckercreme's Barbie-pink strawberry float

Image: Courtesy Zuckercreme

This adorable Montavilla store and dessert shop concocted a Barbie float, layering strawberry cream soda over housemade strawberry-vanilla soft serve and whipped cream. Accessories include: edible flowers, sprinkles, glitter, and a cherry to top it off.

Wildfang's long-sleeve coveralls in a shade Barbie would love

Image: Courtesy Wildfang

One of Portland’s most popular gender-neutral clothing retailers has an outfit ideal for Barbie-loving folks of all genders: this coverall in a cheery pink-purple color.

Bubble gum pink ice cream from Kate's

Image: Courtesy Kate's Ice Cream

Tickets sold out immediately for the 42-person private Barbie screening at Kate’s Ice Cream, but you can still nosh on the limited-edition flavor served at the event: Barbie’s Bubblegum. This hot pink number is, like all things at Kate’s, dairy-free and gluten-free.