Skip to main content

Book a One-of-a-Kind Sleepover at the World’s Last Blockbuster Video Store

In just six months, it seems the world has gone to hell in a Purell-filled handbasket. But that doesn’t mean it’s all bad out there. As the summer of 2020 winds down, Airbnb is planning a once-in-a-lifetime sleepover party at one of the most iconic retail chains of all time. Dust off your microwave-sized boombox and BeDazzled denim jorts, it’s time to get nostalgic.

Believe it or not, there is still one Blockbuster video store left on the planet — seriously. It’s there, in Bend, Oregon, that Airbnb is hosting another one-of-a-kind overnight stay. Next month, three lucky guests will each score a one-night sleepover inside the retail relic for just $4. That’s a penny more than the rental cost of a New Release movie. The original store setup — rows of ‘90s-era VHS movies, classic video games, buttery theater popcorn, and the best junk food — will be free for the taking. The store is also carving out a special lounge area with floor pillows, bean bag chairs, an air mattress, and a pull-out sofa so guests can make themselves at home. Plus: a clunky, old-school, big-screen TV. Guests can stay up all night watching John Hughes flicks, playing OG Nintendo, or eating themselves into a Nerds-fueled sugar coma — their call. It’s like twenty adolescent Christmases packed into one night. In the morning, just remember to do the right thing: “Be kind, rewind.”

Because we are in the midst of a pandemic, manager Sandi Harding is quick to point out that Blockbuster is still taking guest safety seriously. The store is following Airbnb’s new Enhanced Cleaning Protocol. That means providing plenty of face masks, disinfectant wipes, and hand sanitizer. Although having the store entirely to themselves for the night should make social distancing pretty easy.

Recommended Videos

Airbnb has proven to be the place for booking one-of-a-kind overnights. From treehouses and “spaceships” to bourbon still-houses and shipping container cabins in the woods, adventurous travelers can find just about any niche lodging imaginable. The company is also known for offering truly unique and legendary experiences. In the last few years, that has included overnighting at the Louvre, a night at the Lego House in Denmark, and even sending amateur scientists on a month-long research expedition to Antarctica. So, a kitschy sleepover at one of the most iconic ‘90s retail chains seems fitting.

Reservations open at 1 p.m. (PT) on Monday, August 17. Each guest, along with three friends, will have the option to choose a one-night stay on September 18, 19, or 20. With only three nights available, it’s guaranteed to sell out immediately. For anyone who misses out, the Bend Blockbuster will keep the “living room” set up for a limited time after the last Airbnb guests check out.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
10 cigar myths the internet won’t let die
The cigar 'facts' shared in every lounge that are actually complete BS
two men enjoying cigars

The internet has been such an asset to the cigar world. It allows us to look up obscure brands, communicate with fellow fans across the globe, and access a greater amount of information than ever before. There's a downside, though: rumors catch on like wildfire, and once they're out there, they're nearly impossible to get rid of.Visit any cigar lounge or read online forums, and you'll find the same tired myths that have been making the rounds for decades. While a few are harmless pieces of folklore, others are robbing you of your hard-earned cash, ruining your smoking experience, or just flat-out lying to you about health hazards.Let's burn down those stubborn misconceptions once and for all.

Myth #1: Darker (Maduro) cigars are always more powerful

Read more
Cigar etiquette 101: Dos, don’ts, and modern manners
Please don't be that guy. Here are the cigar etiquette mistakes that scream 'amateur'
well-dressed guy smoking on a couch in the dark

Walking into a cigar lounge for the first time feels like crashing somebody's secret club. They've got this unspoken language, weird rituals, and enough unwritten rules to make your head spin! But here’s the thing—cigar etiquette is not some gatekeeping nonsense to try to make you look dumb. It's about respecting the process, the experience, and not being the person who ruins everyone else's vibe.Whether you're new to this or have been faking for years, this guide will sort you out because there's nothing more likely to ruin a good smoke than someone who clearly has no idea what they're doing.

The basics: Respecting the ritual

Read more
The first movie from Materialists director Celine Song just found a new streaming home
The movie is a brilliant look at the roads not taken.
The cast of Past Lives

Few directors have a debut feature that's as splashy as Celine Song's. The director, who now has Materialists in theaters, had a breakout hit at Sundance called Past Lives that took her all the way to the Oscars. Now that Materialists is in theaters and doing quite well, you might want to catch up with Past Lives, which was one of the best movies of 2023.

The film stars Greta Lee and is told in episodes that span more than 20 years. It starts in South Korea, and follows two Korean children who are clearly close friends and may even have a romantic spark as one of them prepares to move to Canada. Then, we follow their story over decades as they come into and out of each other's lives until they're both in their mid-30s and they reunite for a day in New York City.

Read more