In the past, visiting a video store was a delightful experience, and while that has largely been supplanted by browsing streaming platforms, a pop-up in Las Vegas seeks to recreate that nostalgic movie-browsing atmosphere… with drinks. Back 2 The Video Store: A 90s Speakeasy Bar is a temporary pop-up bar from Bucket Listers where patrons in Las Vegas can select a movie case from the shelf and receive a cocktail inspired by the film.
Back 2 The Video Store: A 90s Speakeasy Bar
The venue is styled like a vintage video rental shop, featuring familiar genre sections such as Romance, Action, and Horror, with each movie case detailing the ingredients of the corresponding cocktail. For instance, Mean Girls includes vodka, lemon juice, watermelon syrup, and cotton candy; Happy Gilmore features vodka, sweet tea, lemon juice, and simple syrup; while The Big Lebowski is crafted with vodka, vanilla extract, coffee liqueur, and shaved nutmeg. Simply present the case to the bartender, and they will prepare it for you.
Additionally, there are various food options available, including the Mighty Ducks Quesadilla (made with beef brisket or chicken instead of duck) and Mystic Pizza.
When, Where, and How Much
The pop-up is scheduled to operate from Wednesdays to Sundays, March 25 through May 17, at PKWY Tavern, located at 4930 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas. General admission starts at $17.80 per person, which includes 90 minutes of open seating along with one cocktail or mocktail; additional drinks can be purchased.
Entertainment will also be provided, including trivia from 7 to 10 p.m. on Sundays, bingo from 7 to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays, karaoke from 8 to 10 p.m. on Thursdays, and DJs every Friday and Saturday starting at 7 p.m.
The Death of Movie Rentals
With very few exceptions, video rental stores have become obsolete. However, I still recall visiting every weekend and spending as much time as possible exploring the aisles and gazing at the shelves until my mother insisted I choose something so we could leave. Often my selection was based on which box art looked the most appealing; sometimes I stumbled upon a classic while other times… well, let’s just say the cover was often the best part. There was also the frantic rush to arrive early for a hot new release only to find the shelf completely empty. Yes, there were late fees and rewinding tapes during the VHS era, but honestly? It was all part of the experience that I genuinely miss.
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