Tupac pop-up restaurant opens in New York

A pop-up restaurant opens its doors in New York today for one weekend only, inspired by an imaginary venue thought up by American rapper Tupac Shakur.

Dubbed the ‘Powamekka Café’, the venue is based on a jotting in one of the rapper’s notebooks, with Tupac describing the place as being “The perfect hideout for those who wish to escape the worlds cold reality”.

Popping up today until Sunday at Sweet Chick on the Lower East Side to mark Tupac’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Southern-inspired restaurant will serve the rapper’s favorite foods, including meatloaf, gumbo, and fried chicken wings.

It will also be shaking up cocktails made with spirits the West Coast rapper loved, including the Thugz Passion, made with gin, Alizé, lime, pomegranate and Champagne and served in a coup; and the Ghetto Russian, a twist on a White Russian featuring Rémy Martin, Bailey’s and condensed milk.

The loos will be labellled ‘Divaz’ and ‘Playaz’ in a hat tip to Tupac’s vision for the venue. The restaurant will also feature photos from his childhood, his poetry and music memorabilia.

“Tupac’s creative vision was limitless. He was constantly working on ideas and plans that reached far beyond music and film.

“One of the things he was extremely passionate about was opening a restaurant; he even sketched out plans and a concept for a menu. We are proud to bring Tupac’s Powamekka Café to life,” said Tom Whalley, a trustee of The Estate of Tupac Shakur.

Born in Harlem in 1971, despite a brief career cut short by his untimely shooting in 1996, Tupac is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time and has sold over 75 million records.