The coronavirus has rendered much of our social activities impossible, and nightlife has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. While some bars and venues have been forced to close, Toronto's Farside has found inspiration in the strangest place: Blockbuster Video.
The Toronto bar has decided to add a video rental service to its business, allowing patrons to swing by and pick up a VHS or two along with some brews.
"We've managed to accrue 5,000-plus tapes from donations and thrifting. We're always playing something on the bar's projector, and used to have movie screenings on Monday nights," co-owner Mike Reynolds told blogTO. "Essentially, we had more than enough stock to start renting tapes, so it felt natural."
He continued: "It's funny because when we opened in 2016 VHS tapes were a bit of a joke. Over the last few years people seem to have gravitated toward physical media. Personally I think it's because streaming services' selection of classics has waned and their sorting systems and menus are hideous and annoying. I still think it's creepy that Netflix has to ask if you're still watching."
Best of all, even if you don't have a VCR (be honest — you almost called it a VHS player) the bar is also renting out VCRs along with the tapes, so you're all good to go.
The Toronto bar has decided to add a video rental service to its business, allowing patrons to swing by and pick up a VHS or two along with some brews.
"We've managed to accrue 5,000-plus tapes from donations and thrifting. We're always playing something on the bar's projector, and used to have movie screenings on Monday nights," co-owner Mike Reynolds told blogTO. "Essentially, we had more than enough stock to start renting tapes, so it felt natural."
He continued: "It's funny because when we opened in 2016 VHS tapes were a bit of a joke. Over the last few years people seem to have gravitated toward physical media. Personally I think it's because streaming services' selection of classics has waned and their sorting systems and menus are hideous and annoying. I still think it's creepy that Netflix has to ask if you're still watching."
Best of all, even if you don't have a VCR (be honest — you almost called it a VHS player) the bar is also renting out VCRs along with the tapes, so you're all good to go.
