Blockbuster Is Gone but This ‘90s-Themed Pop-Up Bar Is Keeping the Nostalgia Alive
A limited-run speakeasy in Las Vegas recreates a ‘90s video rental store where visitors browse movie cases on shelves and hand them to a bartender to receive the corresponding themed cocktail.
“Back 2 The Video Store: A 90s Speakeasy Bar” transforms the once-universal ritual of browsing a video store into an immersive night out, complete with movie-themed drinks, nostalgic decor and entertainment celebrating the decade.
It already found sold-out success in New York City, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles and more.
The new pop-up is open Wednesdays through Sundays, from March 25 through May 17, at PKWY Tavern, 4930 W. Flamingo Road in Las Vegas.
The bar is designed to look like an old-school video rental store, the kind that once anchored strip malls across the country.
But instead of picking out a VHS tape to take home, visitors pick a movie case off the shelf and bring it to a bartender, who then makes the corresponding drink.
Each movie case lists the cocktail ingredients inside, so customers know exactly what they’re ordering before they hand it over.
The pop-up was created by Bucket Listers, the company also behind Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar at Park MGM and the Malibu Barbie Cafe at Area15, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The Drinks
The cocktail menu reads like a greatest-hits list of 90s cinema, with each drink drawing its name from a classic film.
The Mean Girls mixes vodka, lemon juice, watermelon syrup and cotton candy.
The Happy Gilmore combines vodka, sweet tea, lemon juice and simple syrup as a nod to the Adam Sandler comedy.
The Big Lebowski blends vodka, vanilla extract, coffee liqueur and shaved nutmeg — a tribute for fans of “The Dude.”
The creative ingredient pairings are designed to capture the spirit of each movie in liquid form.
Food and Entertainment
The pop-up also offers food options carrying the movie theme to the table. Among them are The Mighty Ducks Quesadilla, made with beef brisket or chicken, and The Mystic Pizza — both named after iconic 90s films.
Throughout the week, the bar hosts trivia nights, bingo nights, karaoke nights and live DJs, giving visitors multiple reasons to return during the pop-up’s run.
General admission starts at $17.80 per person, which includes 90 minutes of open seating and one cocktail or mocktail.
Additional drinks are available for purchase. The inclusion of a mocktail option means non-drinkers can enjoy the full themed experience.
Reservations and more information are available at bucketlisters.com.
Why It Resonates
For millions of Americans who grew up in the 1990s, the video rental store was more than a place to pick up a movie — it was a weekend ritual.
The act of browsing rows of colorful cases, debating which title to choose and making a final selection was a shared cultural experience that largely disappeared as streaming services took over.
“Back 2 The Video Store” taps directly into that shared memory.
By recreating the physical environment of a video store and pairing it with a social, interactive experience, the pop-up gives visitors a chance to relive a piece of their past in a way that feels fresh and entertaining.
The limited run through mid-May means the window to experience it is relatively short. For Las Vegas locals and visitors alike, it represents a unique option in a city already known for themed entertainment.
Production of this article included the use of AI. It was reviewed and edited by a team of content specialists.
