Bringing the world's biggest pop-star to Long Beach

Taylor Swift is the biggest name on the planet right now. Whether you’re a fan of her music, or have just seen her all over the news and at football games, you know who she is.

The Ugly Duckling, located at 906 W. Beech St., is set to recognize that and dedicate their space to her. They will be hosting an immersive Taylor Swift-themed dining experience throughout the entire month of December.

This pop-up not only provides fans with a chance to immerse themselves in the singer’s different eras, Grammy-winning albums and music videos, but also aims to draw in new customers for the local business and the city during the winter.

“People come to the experience and then they can leave and go across the street to get a cookie at Baked by the Ocean or to get ice cream at Tipsy Scoop or our regular customers that don’t like Taylor Swift, maybe they go next door to watch football on Sunday,” Max Feinberg, co-owner of The Ugly Duckling said. “We’re hoping that this is something that gives a little bit of a boost to the entire West End for a month of the year. The West End needs a little bit of a boost.”

The “Pop Star Pop-Up” includes interactive activities at each table, photo ops tailored to Swift’s eras and brunch or dinner inspired by Swift’s favorite dishes.

The two dining options are priced at $50 and $40 per person. The tickets include a 90-minute reservation, a choice of a main dish, and a dessert. Additional sides, mocktails, and cocktails will be available for purchase at the restaurant. Brunch tickets also feature unlimited mimosas. Vegan, vegetarian, and kid-friendly options are offered for each seating.

The experience will be available on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for dinner from 5 p.m. to midnight and on Saturdays and Sundays for brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout December.

There will also be Swift-themed trivia nights for $50 per person every Wednesday starting at 7 p.m. Participants can test their knowledge of Swift’s career, with a chance to win prizes.

The pop-up aims to attract a diverse audience, shifting from the restaurant’s usual crowd to create a more family-friendly atmosphere.

“Especially with the changes that have gone on in Long Beach over the years in terms of demographic and population,” Feinberg explained, “the fact that we see that we can offer children’s programming and family programming and have success with it is nice and rewarding.”

Feinberg expressed enthusiasm about the potential success of the event and hinted at the possibility of more themed pop-ups in the future. While no concrete plans for the next event are in place, he mentioned the challenge of finding another pop star with the same massive audience as Taylor Swift.

For now, the focus is on The Ugly Duckling with no immediate plans to take the pop-up concept on the road.

Feinberg emphasized the positive reception from residents, alleviating concerns about heightened traffic. He also highlighted the active participation of residents in the planning process.

“The management is very respectful of the neighbors and we appreciate that,” said Rich Papetti, a close neighbor of the bars in the West End for over 40 years and active in the quality of life issues. “It is always nice to have a happy balance of respect for community and success for the business”

“We’ve been working, and this is probably not what you most commonly hear, but we’ve been working together as a group of restaurant and bar owners, with the community, with West End residents, associations, quality of life committee, to attend meetings with them, and listen to concerns and express concerns and work together,” he said. “It’s a cognizant attempt to make the West End a great place to live year-round.”

The pop-up not only celebrates Swift but also highlights the innovation of Long Beach businesses, affirming their commitment to bringing business to the city beyond the usual summer season.

To learn more about the event or make a reservation, visit PopStarPopUp.com.