Get your pelvis ready: your chance to visit Graceland—but without going to Graceland—is here! An interactive pop-up experience is bringing Elvis Presley’s Jungle Room to cities across America this fall, the “Love Me (Bar)Tender” experience. Created by Graceland and Memphis Tourism, the first-ever replica of Elvis’s Hawai’i-inspired tiki room will hit New York, Boston and Chicago (and hopefully more) with the greenest, shaggiest carpet you can conjure. That Kermit-colored rug is part of what gave the room incredible acoustics; the King recorded iconic hits like “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and “Moody Blue” there for his Jungle Room Sessions. You’ll also get to hang out by the rock waterfall, the lacquered tiki bar and matching carved wooden furniture. Besides the kitschy décor, you can expect Elvis-themed cocktails, music from Memphis bands and a photo booth.
Where can you indulge? The pop-up experience will hit bars for two-night engagements in selected cities. It’s freeeeee with pre-registration here. Details of where/when need to be ironed out and will be announced in September, but pencil in October 5-6 for New York, October 10-11 for Boston, and October 18-19 for Chicago.
Elvis loved Hawai’i, and the Jungle Room first appeared in 1965 at Graceland as his den. He performed, filmed movies and vacationed on various Hawaiian islands: Oahu, Maui, Hawai’i Island, and Kaui. Find out more of his filming spots at Graceland’s blog.
You’re also encouraged, of course, to visit the original Jungle Room in Memphis, a destination not just for visiting Graceland which sees about a half-million visitors every year, but for hearing fantastic blues, soul, and rock and roll music that draws international visitors.
Want more Elvis? Watch for this red-velvet-adorned jet to be your Las Vegas ride next year—and don’t forget to watch the movie.