An unofficial Twin Peaks pop-up experience has taken over The Summer Place Bar in San Francisco, California from Nov. 12-17, 2024. Thanks to a fellow Bookhouse Boy Jon White, I have photos to share from this incredibly immersive experience located at 801 Bush Street and Mason Street.
THE SUMMER PLACE BAR – TWIN PEAKS POP-UP
Fellow Twin Peaks fan Elizabeth (@GoldenPonyWorkshop) contacted me last week via the @TwinPeaksBlog Instagram account about a special Twin Peaks-themed pop-up coming to The Summer Place Bar. She is celebrating a milestone birthday during the week and bar owners Brett Frost, Leo Kaplan and mastermind mixologist Dan Hayes are marking the occasion with this themed takeover.
Visitors to the bar are greeted with a red neon-like Bang Bang Bar sign hanging above the main doors.
Jon and his husband Willy arrived early to photographed the location without people (what a treasure!). Jon is seen standing next to the “Welcome to Twin Peaks” sign. By the way, I love his sweater which was offered on the Showtime store a few years ago (I have one in my collection too).
You’ll notice one thing is missing from the sign … literally a “1” for the population number. In the series, the population was 51,201 but with the passing of Laura Palmer, the town’s population count changed.
There are several themed areas throughout the windowless bar.
Red drapes are hung next to several seating areas.
There is even a fire place (though you can’t spit in this one).
TWIN PEAKS-INSPIRED DRINK MENU
The Summer Place Bar team created several themed drinks for the week-long Twin Peaks take over.
Here is the menu with two of those hand-crafted cocktails and a blue rose (but I can’t tell you about the latter).
DR. JACOBY’S OFFICE BY THE BAR
On the back wall of the bar, you’ll spot a nod to Dr. Jacoby’s office complete with a tiny chair, a tropical poster, and parasols. Above the bar is a mirror with the words “Let’s Rock” similar to the writing found on Agent Desmond’s vehicle at the Fat Trout Trailer Park.
The little box of umbrellas is a nice touch. I wonder if there is one from the moon landing.
THERE’S WALLS, WRAPPED IN PLASTIC
Some of the walls are wrapped in plastic with displays of Laura Palmer’s photos nearby.
It also looks like Windom Earle stopped by with one of his custom playing cards featuring Special Agent Dale Cooper’s face.
We’re only halfway through the area and I’m already super impressed. Breaking up the space with different elements from the show is such a fun way to celebrate the many mysteries, spaces and characters.
ONE-EYED JACKS DISPLAY
The One-Eyes Jacks corner brings a little bit of Canadian magic to the city by the bay.
A One-Eyed Jacks logo hangs in the small window that is reminiscent of the sign outside the gentlemen’s club in the show.
There are even masks similar to something Audrey Horne wore during her excursion north to help Agent Cooper with the investigation.
There are poker chips, cards and money … but I don’t care to lose my shirt. I only want to take it off.
HAROLD SMITH’S APARTMENT DISPLAY
In one of the more deep cut references to Twin Peaks, there is a display from Harold Smith’s apartment complete with a hanging body.
They even included orchids and a garden rake though I recommend keeping it way from your face.
BATHROOM WITH RED DRAPES AND DIARY PAGES
Even the bathroom is decorated with red drapes and handwritten diary pages.
These pages are pulled from “The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer.” I love this kind of attention to detail which is something recently saw at Haley Solar in California.
The fact that someone took the time to handwrite these pages for the pop-up makes it even better.
When you WASH YOUR HANDS after using the bathroom, you’ll spot a cracked mirror above the sink.
Jon grabbed a selfie in the reflection which is made to resemble the final part of episode 2.022 from Twin Peaks season two, It will leave you asking “How’s Annie?”
OTHER DETAILS THROUGHOUT THE BAR
There were so many other treasures to see like Dr. Amp’s golden shovel so we can all shovel our way out of the shit. It’s only $29.99.
They even added the Dr. Amp lightning bolts!
Laura Palmer’s autopsy report was found on the wall that was wrapped in plastic.
The Owl Cave petroglyph is found on the door to the restroom.
The bar even has a wall full of paperwork and materials inspired from the show such as “Fleshworld” magazine.
The magazine was created especially for the unofficial pop-up display.
Event the “Georgia Peach” Dave Robinson from the Twin Peaks art department and prop crew made it to the display!
The cover for “Fleshworld” was also especially created for the pop-up experience. They include the tagline seen in the series.
I loved combing through all the images Jon sent as I found other little nods to iconography to the show like the white horse.
Other activities during the week will include tarot readings and a costume contest with prizes on the final night, November 17.
Thank you again to Jon for sharing his experience. A Black Yukon Sucker Punch is on order when I see him at The Real Twin Peaks 2025 event being held in February 2025 in Snoqualmie Valley, Washington.
