Walnut Hills' Quentin Tarantino-themed speakeasy the Video Archive is shifting its focus to offer guests a different kind of immersive entertainment experience beginning July 10.
Moving forward, the bar is rebranding as Video Archive Presents: Tiki-Tiki Bang Bang — a Tiki bar and Cinema Show that offers ticketed, all-inclusive experiences to guests, while still maintaining "nods to Tarantino and grindhouse films."
According to co-owner of hospitality brand Gorilla Cinema Presents (Video Archive, Tokyo Kitty, La Ofrenda, Overlook Lodge, Lonely Pine) Katie Fraser, their patrons have expressed a desire for them to open a Tiki bar, and with this concept they're able to make use of their movie patio and love for cinema while intertwining Tiki culture.
The experiences run from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and kick off on July 10. There is only one showing a day and guests can choose from two different experiences with upgrades offered for each. Fraser says that they plan to open the indoor bar for reservations eventually on Sundays and Wednesdays for guests to drink at their leisure.
"During this limited engagement, those wanting to feel the tradewinds in their hair can purchase a beachside table for a 2-hour experience as we serve you original cocktails, snacks, and a curated selection of films celebrating island life," the website reads.
The $70 Beachcomber package offers two seats at a private table, two welcome shots, two Tiki cocktails and additional cocktails can be purchased a la cart. Upgrade your Beachcomber package with the $50 Freaky Tiki, which includes two additional Tiki cocktails and two shots during the show.
The $300 Big Kahuna Table seats four guests at a VIP table and includes four welcome shots, eight Tiki cocktails, a bucket of four beers, four shots during the show, sliders from Just Q'in, a s'mores kit, grass skirts and souvenir glassware. Upgrade the Big Kahuna with the $120 Golden Idol additional package, which features a bottle of rum to share during the show (and can be taken home), more snacks and upgraded souvenir glassware.
You can reserve your tickets through their website.
You can look forward to ticketed events at their other restaurants and bars soon as well as they shift back to their roots and focus on pop-up experiences, which allows them more control over safe and socially distant events.
Some of the pop-ups you can look forward to include Lonely Pine's Postcards From a Chef, where Chef Sam will marry his education in history and music to offer a creatively curated intimate "supper club," and Overlook Lodge's interactive Horror Movie Survival Camp with an improv actor, s'mores and a horror movie.
"We've always been a company built to pivot and adapt to the changing needs and preferences of our followers so the curveball the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown us is just another opportunity to reinvent our bar experiences," says Fraser. "We're moving to a socially distanced ticketed model to not only keep our patrons safe, but it allows us to anticipate demand and build more immersive drinks and entertainment. Each event feels intimate and custom— something we're proud to be able to do."
For more info, visit gorillacinemapresents.com and follow their social media accounts for updates.
