Columbus Monthly / November 2011 / Pale ales and silver screens

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Pale ales and silver screens

The ability to enjoy a frosty brew along with a good flick—especially a cult classic—definitely makes for a great evening. In fact, that’s been the allure of the venerable Studio 35 for decades, not to mention a reason it’s managed to survive the steady influx of multiplexes over the years.

Husband-and-wife co-owners Eric Brembeck and Rita Volpi, who completed their purchase of the indie cinema house in 2008, have taken the combination of booze and big screen to the next level, welcoming patrons to enjoy the likes of Aliens, The Big Lebowski and Monty Python and the Holy Grail while sampling beers from the city’s and nation’s top craft brewers.

Once a month, for $20 ($25 for special events), film and beer enthusiasts can hear from local brewmasters and national representatives about their products before tasting 10 four-ounce pours of different varieties. Showing on Nov. 6 is Office Space, with beer from Pennsylvania-based Victory Brewing Co. On Dec. 4 will be A Christmas Story, with holiday beers from various breweries and an appearance by actor Ian Petrella, who played Ralphie’s little brother, Randy, in the 1983 film. Tastings take place the first Sunday of the month and typically begin at 3 pm, with the film starting at 5 pm.

Studio 35 remains the destination for fans of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (showing Nov. 12), and new to the cinema house is Bad Movie Nite, when folks show up the first Friday of the month at 11:30 pm to watch one of the worst movies in recent memory. The catch: They don’t know what it is until the projector starts rolling. “Basically, it’s a gathering to drink and party and make fun of the movie,” Brembeck says. (Former MadLab member Scott Hammond, who runs the events, provides obscure hints on Facebook about the film.) Admission is $5.

Whatever event you attend, be sure to sit near the back of the theater. Chances are you’ll need to use the facilities during the film. And that way you can more easily grab a refill.

 

Opening

In case its beer selection (Elevator, Columbus Brewing Co. etc.) doesn’t convince you, the name, Local Bar, should do the trick. “We’re trying to focus on local breweries and distilleries,” says general manager Billy Besaw.

The new spot, which opened in early October at 913 N. High St., has been renovated, with its ’70s-themed interior decoration handled by nearby Flower Child. “Local Bar is an everyone bar,” Besaw says. “It’s not meant for any one type of person.”

The bar currently has 25 taps (perhaps significantly more later) featuring the aforementioned hometown brews, as well as those from Akron’s Thirsty Dog Brewing Co., Cleveland’s Great Lakes, Rogue, Guinness and a slew of others. Happy hour is daily from 5 to 9 pm and features deals on drafts and well drinks.