Serving sass, great food and a sprinkle of bad attitude, Karen’s Diner is bringing a pop-up venue to Geelong.
About a month ago, we reported that the famed Karen’s Diner, which markets itself on rude service, was so popular in Victoria that it was opening a second venue. Now, it looks like the hilariously successful restaurant concept has its sights set on Geelong in the not-too-distant future.
Breaking through in a crowded modern hospo market, Karen’s Diner has been making waves in the restaurant scene for its play on the problematic cultural trope of entitled ‘Karens’ within the Australian community. The interactive diner is all about providing a unique and absurdly fun experience alongside American comfort food such as burgers, wings, shakes and cocktails.
Encouraging rude, tongue-in-cheek fun, at Karen’s you will be greeted and waited upon by rude waiters who in return are expecting you to give it full Karen. It’s a place “where you can complain until the cows come home because we literally don’t care”.
Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here.
Created by Viral Ventures Co-Founders and Directors Aden Levin and James Farrell, the 1950s-style US diner where the food is great and the staff are rude, originally opened in Sydney, before opening in Melbourne on Lygon Street to fairly widespread publicity.
Unsurprisingly, thanks to its engaging hook, the venue now boasts locations in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Manchester, Sheffield, and Ryde as well as a second venue in Melbourne at Forest Hill Chase Shopping Centre in Blackburn South.
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Having announced plans to expand Karen’s nationally and internationally back when it opened, Viral Ventures (a name created before the pandemic referring to “going viral” on the internet) is doing just that with new locations flagged in Adelaide and Geelong, as well as Vancouver, Auckland, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Toronto, among other global locations.
Promoted on the Hidden website – a marketplace for all the most exciting live and virtual experiences in particular cities – Karen’s Diner in Geelong has been flagged as a ‘pop-up dining experience’, with the potential to become a permanent site if successful enough.
“From the brave minds at Wonderland Bar & Beyond Cinema comes a diner like no other – expect rude service, singing waiters and regular guest appearances from the manager – the most Karen Karen ever – just don’t dare ask to see her,” the event description reads.
“This is dining with a twist – the food is great, the service is ungrateful but your experience will be unforgettable. This is the anti Google review diner, a place where having 100k on Instagram gets you a naughty sticker rather than a free meal.”
A full menu will be available in due course but expect dirty American burgers, fries, shakes, cocktails and Karen’s. Vegetarians, Vegans & Non Alcoholics will all be catered for.
The exact location is yet to be revealed, a common practice with Hidden events, but it reveals that the experience will run from September 1 2022 to May 31 2023.
Interested diners can sign up for early bird tickets and further updates via the Hidden website here.
Find out more about the restaurant here.
