Josh Simon: Last News

Anna Tingley If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Lacoste’s iconic clothing — from polos and sweatshirts to tracksuits and chinos — get a fantastical update this week with a new collection in partnership with Netflix.

“Squid Game: The Experience,” an immersive entertainment installation that opened in October in a shuttered shopping mall near Madison Square Garden, brings its participants slowly into the dark, dystopian world of the South Korean drama series that exploded into a massive hit for Netflix in 2021. Players begin the journey in a room styled as a night market stocked with icons from the series and South Korean pop culture, including a ramen vending machine and a bar setup featuring the “Squid Game”-branded Johnnie Walker whisky tie-in. Participants who have shelled out $29 to $45 for the visit are given a green-gel wrist band; then they have their picture snapped and are assigned a player number, just like in the series.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Do you want a side of fries — or maybe a T-shirt or hoodie — with your next binge-worthy Netflix show? Netflix announced plans to open its first permanent bricks-and-mortar locations, initially targeting two in the U.S. in 2025. (The company has not said where those will be.) The outlets will be kind of mini theme parks: They’ll serve food and drink, sell merchandise and include “immersive” installations based on its hit titles like “Squid Game” or “Stranger Things.” But Netflix’s vision for the permanent retail destinations, as with its other IRL activations to date, is for them to serve primarily as marketing vehicles promoting the core streaming service.

Netflix has announced plans to open a pop restaurant where fans can eat food from Chef’s Table.Netflix Bites, which is due to open at Short Stories Hotel in Los Angeles on June 30, will feature Rodney Scott and Ann Kim from the cooking series, along with chefs from Nailed It! and Iron Chef: Quest For An Iron Legend.“Netflix is already a destination for beloved food programming, from documentaries to competition shows,” said Josh Simon, vice president of consumer products for the streaming service, in a statement via The Hollywood Reporter.“From episode to entrée, with Netflix Bites we are creating an in-person experience where fans can immerse themselves in their favorite food shows. We are excited to collaborate with these incredible chefs who will bring this vision to life and showcase an array of their delicious menus.”Other participating stars include Nadiya Hussain from Nadiya Bakes and mixologists from Netflix’s Drink Masters including Frankie Solarik, Julie Reiner, LP O’Brien and Kate Gerwin.

McKinley Franklin editor Netflix is creating a pop-up restaurant on June 30 in Los Angeles featuring dishes by some of the streamer’s most popular chef and drink masters. The dining experience will spotlight chefs from Netflix’s beloved culinary shows including “Chef’s Table,” “Is It Cake?” and “Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend.” For the first time, attendees will be able to get a taste of their favorite Netflix series. Netflix Bites will be staged at Short Stories Hotel at 115 S Fairfax Ave. Acclaimed chefs attending Netflix Bites include Curtis Stone (“Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend”), Dominique Crenn (“Chef’s Table,” “Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend”), Rodney Scott (“Chef’s Table: BBQ”), Ming Tsai (“Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend”), Ann Kim (“Chef’s Table: Pizza”), Nadiya Hussain (“Nadiya Bakes”), Jacques Torres (“Nailed It!”) and Andrew Zimmern (“Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend.”)

Walmart and Netflix are expanding on their digital initiative featuring branded goods related to Netflix film and TV titles to bring physical merchandise into 2,400 Walmart stores in the U.S.

With just 20 days remaining until Halloween, now is your chance to order your costume to get it in time for the big day!