Candy Land Cafe opens in San Diego, bringing iconic board game to life

The classic Candy Land board game has jumped off the tabletop and into real life for the first time with the Candy Land Cafe, a pop-up that has transformed a San Diego restaurant into a whimsical life-size version of the childhood favorite.

But it comes with a harsh policy for guests who break the strict rules.

Bucket Listers has teamed up with toy titan Hasbro to launch the immersive eatery, which transformed Bayside Kitchen + Bar into a real-life version of the classic race-to-the-finish board game, complete with a Lollipop Woods tunnel, giant Jolly Gumdrops, and a winding path leading straight to King Kandy’s Candy Castle.

Visitors are banned from climbing, sitting, leaning or otherwise horsing around on the installations, which are designed to be photographed instead of played with.

Rule breakers may be kicked out with a refund, and may even be on the hook for any damage caused.

The Instagram-ready experience is packed with photo ops, interactive activities and over-the-top food options.

The chef-driven menu puts a sugary spin on fast-casual favorites, with the likes of rainbow-colored grilled cheese sandwiches, “lollipopcorn” chicken and extravagant ice-cream flights.

Groups can also dig into a Chocolate Fundu experience, while colorful cocktails and mocktails promise even more eye candy. Visitors can decorate gingerbread cookies and complete a “Sweet Adventure Checklist” while exploring the nostalgic pastel paradise.

Despite looking like one giant playground, organizers have issued a stern warning to visitors who are tempted to climb all over the larger-than-life sweet props.

“CANDY LAND CAFE IS A RESTAURANT, NOT A PLAYGROUND,” an all-caps warning on the event listing declares.

The Candy Land Cafe is scheduled to keep serving up nostalgia in San Diego through Oct. 4.

Tickets start at $25 per person, and include a 90-minute reservation, a $10 food credit and $5 merchandise credit.

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