Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink

Calling All Replicants: A ‘Blade Runner’ Bar Just Popped Up in Melbourne, Australia

By

The original 1982 Blade Runner proved to be a remarkable turning point for sci-fi cinema. Thirty-five years after its debut — and a full 50 years after Philip K. Dick released the source novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? — fans continue to dissect and scrutinize every scene, character, and line of dialogue. Needless to say, the film’s legions of followers have spawned all manner of fan fiction, Comic-Con costumes, and exhaustive fan forums. Now, a week before the highly anticipated debut of Blade Runner 2049, a Blade Runner bar has popped up.

It’s difficult to imagine how a three-decades-old sci-film that depicts a bleak, dystopian future full of warring humans and androids might inspire a watering hole. Nevertheless, we’re intrigued by Melbourne’s Cinema Nova theater’s announcement of Bar 2049, a one-off conversion of its Nova Bar & Kitchen into a fully immersive Blade Runner-themed pop-up bar. The art house has screened the original film many times over the years. Street artist Chris Hancock has created exclusive wall murals for the space, and filmmaker Ben Helweg crafted specific Blade Runner-inspired video installations. Large LCD screens, neon lighting, lasers, silver unicorns, and creepy mannequins round out the atmosphere. The entire experience will be soundtracked with audio that blends Vangelis’ original film score with synth pop.

Recommended Videos

Every aspect of the Nova kitchen is pulling visual and artistic inspiration from the original film and its forthcoming sequel. The “Tastes from the Future” dinner and cocktail menu will include drinks like The Offworld and Nexus 9. No word yet on how many concoctions will make use of Rick Deckard’s (Harrison Ford) drink of choice (whiskey ).

Themed bars, especially of the pop-up variety, appear to be the modern expression of ultimate fandom. We’ve previously covered LA’s Tim Burton-inspired Beetle House and New York’s permanent Oscar Wilde . The mose recent, a Stranger Things-inspired bar called The Upside Down, also proved to be wildly popular (that is, until Netflix put the kibosh on the whole unlicensed spin-off). With this last bit of news in mind, Blade Runner fans may want to get to Bar 2049 soon before the fine folks at Columbia Pictures shut this one down too.

Bar 2049 opened Thursday, September 28, and will run through the end of October.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard
Contributor
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Why grilling trout brings back the best summer memories — and tips to do it right
Learn how to make the most delicious summertime meal.
Homemade potatoes and trout fish with herbs and butter

Some of my fondest childhood memories revolve around summer days spent trout fishing with my dad. We’d reel them in, clean them right there in the boat, and then fire up the grill for dinner. These days, that smoky, tender trout remains one of my all-time favorite dishes, and now, one I love to cook with my own kids.
Grilled trout is a total crowd-pleaser because it nails that sweet spot between delicate flavor and just-right texture. The flesh is tender and flaky, with a subtle sweetness and a fresh, clean taste that never feels heavy. When you grill it, you get this amazing smoky char that lifts the fish’s natural richness without taking over. Plus, the skin crisps up perfectly, adding a satisfying crunch that plays beautifully against the soft, flaky meat inside. So if you've been wanting to grill your own fresh catches this summer, it's time to get started. I promise, it's actually much easier than you may think.

How to clean trout

Read more
3 saké myths busted — surprising truths from a saké pro
Think you know saké? Think again
Sake

Many people think saké is only made in Japan, should be served hot, and is just rice wine—but they’re wrong, says saké expert  Paul Englert, President at SakeOne, Certified Sake WSET Advanced Level 3. As President of America's first successful craft saké brewer, Englert seeks to break down these misconceptions surrounding saké. Below, Englert shares three of the most common myths about saké and why they're wrong, from proper serving to brewing.

Myth 1: Saké should be served hot

Read more
What is green coffee? Here’s what you need to know
How green coffee differs from roasted coffee
green coffee plant

You may have seen the words "green coffee bean extract" on the ingredient labels of various energy drinks or even marketed as a supplement. Green coffee beans are unroasted coffee beans with a naturally green tint. For coffee drinkers, "green coffee" is not often a part of our everyday routine. Unless you're roasting your own coffee beans, the average coffee drinker doesn't come in contact with green coffee beans. Green coffee refers to the seeds of the raw coffee fruit before they undergo the roasting process, which gives a darkened color and complex flavor. Can you drink green coffee? Why is it called green coffee? In this guide, we'll break down the answers to all of your "What is green coffee?" questions, from flavor to uses.

What is green coffee?

Read more