Central Perk Cafe in Beijing attracts 'Friends' fans

Beijing's Central Perk Cafe opened in 2009.

Chinese fans of the hit US television sitcom Friends can find an exact replica of the show's Central Perk Cafe in Beijing.

New York's version was just established this year, but Beijing's Central Perk opened back in 2009. Manager Rachel Xue was born the same year the first episode of Friends aired, making her just as old as the series itself.

Xue says that most customers at Central Perk are fans of the show, many of whom heard of the cafe through the internet or word-of-mouth.

Young couples are also among the many customers who make up Central Perk's loyal clientele. Xue says many couples who came to Central Perk on dates eventually got married. Some even proposed in the cafe.

Central Perk Beijing's owner, who also happens to be named Gunther, has filled the cafe with memorabilia from Friends, ranging from small items such as Joey's plush penguin doll to a replica of his and Chandler's room. The room recently opened to the public and sits just next door to Central Perk, although seating is limited.

Friends has achieved a large degree of popularity among the younger generation in China. Aside from its entertainment value, it is also a medium for viewers to soak up a variety of American slang.

Mona Song, a graduate student at Leeds College in the UK, became a fan of the show when her English teacher began having students watch it during class.

"One day, I saw the same place as the Friends drama as this coffee shop, and I thought, 'Wow, it really exists! So I come (here).' Because I have some really good friends like the people in Friends, so I wanted to take them here. It's like we are doing the same things they are doing in the show," said Song.

For the show's 20th anniversary on Monday the cafe will hand out one free drink to every customer.