Star Wars themed pop-up bars are opening at three US locations, but they won’t be anything like the Mos Eisley Cantina – these bars celebrate the best of the Sith.
“When you walk in it’s going to feel like you’ve walked into the set of a Star Wars movie,” explained Zach Neil, creator of the Dark Side Bars. Neil is no stranger to the world of filmic pop-ups, having been involved in Stay Classy, a 2016 pop-up series celebrating Will Ferrell’s Anchorman films and The Beetle House, a permanent New Yprk City bar themed around the films of Tim Burton.
“I’m a macabre kind of person, I love things on the darker side,” said Neil. “I’ve always rooted for the bad guys, Darth Vader and the dark side of the force. When the new Star Wars movie came out last year I loved it. It reenergized my love for Star Wars.”
The interiors were created by Hollywood set designers, and patrons can order a range of signature cocktails. “They are really intricate 6-8 part cocktails,” said Neil, “they’re really tasty and really cool. We wanted to go all the way with the drinks, they’re showstoppers.”
The bar costs US$40 per person, which includes two signature drinks, and guests are heavily encouraged to dress up. Entertainment will include alien dancers in full prosthetics.
“People are working hard for their money, and going out should be exciting,” said Neil. “We want to call out all the creatures of the night, but even if you’re not a Star Wars fan it will be a really macabre experience.”
