Our Story | Popbar Handcrafted Gelato Since 2010
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Colorful Popbar gelato pops on sticks

Handcrafted Since 2010

From a small shop on Carmine Street to 20+ locations worldwide.

We believe a great frozen dessert should taste like what it says on the label.

That sounds obvious. But in an industry built on artificial flavors, stabilizers, and mystery ingredients, it's a radical stance. When Popbar opened its first shop on Carmine Street in Manhattan's West Village in 2010, the idea was simple: make gelato on a stick, from real ingredients, and let the flavor do the talking.

Gelato is fundamentally different from ice cream. It uses less fat, less air, and is churned at a slower speed — which means more density, more flavor, and a smoother texture. Popbar takes it further: no artificial colors, no artificial flavors, no preservatives. Every pop is made from whole-fruit purées, real chocolate, fresh dairy, and natural sweeteners. If it's a mango pop, it tastes like mango — not a lab approximation of mango.

Over 14 years and 20+ locations, that commitment hasn't changed. It's shaped every decision — from the way we source ingredients to why we don't cut corners on production. It's also why Popbar works for events: guests notice the difference. A crowd that remembers the dessert is a crowd that remembers your event.

14 Years of Handcrafted History

2010

West Village, NYC opens

Line out the door on day one. Carmine Street became the birthplace of gelato-on-a-stick in America. New Yorkers waited over an hour in the rain for a pop.

2013

First franchise — Anaheim Packing House

Popbar proves the concept travels. The Anaheim Packing House location brings handcrafted gelato to Southern California, inside one of the West Coast's most celebrated food halls.

2018

gelatoShake launches

A Popbar pop blended into a shake. Instantly became a customer favorite and expanded Popbar's format beyond just frozen-on-a-stick.

2019

First international location — Lisbon, Portugal

Popbar crosses the Atlantic. The Lisbon opening proved the brand had global legs, opening the door to Portugal and eventually further international expansion.

2020

Midtown Manhattan production facility

A dedicated production hub to support growing demand and events catering volume across the New York metro area. Quality at scale without compromising the handcrafted standard.

2022

Oscar Mayer Cold Dog collab — national news

A hot dog-shaped gelato pop with mustard-yellow white chocolate dip. It was absurd, it was delicious, and it made national headlines. Popbar's boldest moment — and a reminder that great dessert can be playful.

2024

New ownership — Popbar 2.0 begins

Under new ownership, Popbar enters its next chapter. The foundation is already extraordinary: the product, the brand, the loyal following. Now it gets the growth strategy to match.

2025

Brand relaunch, events revenue prioritized

Popbar 2.0 launches with a sharpened focus on events catering — the highest-margin, fastest-growing revenue channel. Corporate clients, brand activations, health fairs, and private events now drive the business.

2026

Berkeley, CA — First new West Coast location in a decade New

2125 University Ave, Berkeley CA 94704. The Bay Area has been waiting. The first new West Coast Popbar in over ten years — and a symbol of what's ahead for the brand.

Popbar gelato pop close-up — rich, vibrant, real ingredients

Made from Real Ingredients

No artificial anything. Every flavor is the real thing.

Popbar gelato flavor lineup — variety of colors and flavors

60+ Flavors & Counting

Something for every palate — gelato, sorbetto, and seasonal specials.

The Popbar Commitment

🌿

All-Natural

We don't use artificial colors, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Ever. Every ingredient is chosen because it makes the pop taste better — not because it makes it cheaper to produce.

No Artificial Colors No Preservatives Real Fruit
🍦

Handcrafted

Every pop is made fresh at each shop, daily. We don't ship frozen product from a central factory and call it "artisan." The production happens where the people are — because fresh gelato tastes different, and anyone who's had a Popbar knows it.

Made Daily Per-Location Production Small Batch
🤝

Inclusive

Great frozen dessert shouldn't require a dietary asterisk. A significant portion of our menu is vegan, gluten-free, or nut-free — not as an afterthought, but as a core product feature. When everyone at the table can have a pop, everyone has more fun.

Vegan Options Gluten-Free Nut-Free Options

As Seen In

Ready to Experience Popbar?

Whether you're planning a 500-person event or thinking about bringing Popbar to your city, we'd love to talk.

AS SEEN IN

The New York Times · Vogue · Food Network · Elle

Read our press →