Exclusive first look: Videology, Williamsburg's new hybrid movie theater (slide show)

Brooklyn cinephiles will have another reason to rejoice when Williamsburg rental shop Videology (308 Bedford Ave at South 1st Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-782-3468, videology.info) opens its new digs this Friday. The shop’s revamped space boasts a fully stocked bar, a 35-seat viewing room (expandable to 45) and a schedule of nightly screenings.

In lieu of traditional theater seating, Videology's back room is now outfitted with booths and tables, creating a space that’s more like a café than a multiplex. Co-owner Wendy Chamberlain sees the room as versatile: able to maintain a serious atmosphere during first-run screenings as well as a more relaxed atmosphere (with table service) for midnight movies, game nights and themed evenings. The idea for the transformation came in 2009 when Chamberlain and co-owner James Leet started to see a decline in the movie rental business. "We were pretty happy renting DVDs, but it was an economic necessity that we branch out," says Chamberlain. “We thought it would work really well to continue serving our customers in a similar capacity.”

Part of that branching out includes offering a full bar menu and snacks, including items from Liddabit Sweets and S'more Bakery, as well as popcorn in flavors like chile-lime tequila. There will also be movie-inspired cocktails (such as the Bad News Bears boilermaker, a Bud topped off with Jim Beam) and a selection of beer and wine. (Get a preview of the full menu below.)

The space officially opens on Friday with a full lineup of festivities, including a screening of Holy Motors (Nov 9 at 7pm; $8) and an after-party (9pm; free) with an hour-long open bar, including cocktails made with New York Distilling Co. gin, and DJs spinning all night. And be sure to check the theater's calendar for upcoming events, such as R. Kelly Night (Nov 23 at 7:30pm; free) and a screening of Grey Gardens featuring a postscreening Q&A with director Albert Maysles (Nov 28 at 7:30pm; $8).

Full Videology menu:

COCKTAILS

ETERNAL SUNSHINE BLUE RUIN   8
bombay sapphire gin, tonic, blue curaçao

VESPER    11
gordon's gin, vodka, kina lillet

DON DRAPER OLD FASHIONED 7
canadian club whisky, bitters, sugar, orange twist

SEVEN YEAR ITCH WHISKEY SOUR   8
bourbon, fresh lemon juice, egg white, angostura bitters

WHITE CHRISTMAS HOT BUTTERED RUM   9
rum, butter, brown sugar, spices

BAD NEWS BEARS BOILERMAKER   6
budweiser and jim beam

CASABLANCA FRENCH '75  11
perry's tot navy strength gin, champagne, fresh lemon, simple syrup

ANCHORMAN MANHATTAN  10
rye whiskey, no vermouth, angostura bitters, marasca cherry

BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES SIDECAR  11
cognac, cointreau, fresh lemon juice, sugared rim

THE DUDE  7
vodka, kahlua, cream

BEER

DRAUGHT
sixpoint bengali tiger 6
nectar red 6
victory prima pils 6
allagash white 6
keegan mother's milk 6
captain lawrence kolsch 5

draught beer carafe on ice 10 / 12

BOTTLES & CANS
negra modelo 6
pacifico clara 5
magners cider 6
budweiser (can) 3

WINE

White:
La Croix Blanche 6
Grisy Chardonay 8
Sequals Sauvignon Blanc 9

Red:
Col de Lairole 6
Molino al Vento Fropatto 7
Bonn Heure 8
Valpontina valpolicella ripasso 9
Bonfanti cabernet sauvignon 12

POPCORN

FRESHLY POPPED WITH SEA SALT
small   3     large   5
butter   + 1

FLAVORED POPCORN
small   5     large   7

CHILI LIME TEQUILA
chili flakes, fresh lime juice and tequila

PARMESAN & 3 PEPPER
freshly grated parmesan and 3 types of ground pepper

HONEY CHILI FLAKE
honey, butter, chili flakes

CHAI SPICE
indian black tea, vanilla bean, spices

SWEETS

MINIATURE SMORES   1.50/ea
the violet beauregarde
bourbon-madagascar vanilla bean marshmallow,
cinnamon sugar & clover honey graham crackers,
callebaut semisweet chocolate ganache

the veruca salt
bourbon-madagascar vanilla bean marshmallow,
cinnamon sugar & clover honey graham crackers,
vanilla bean specked salted caramel sauce

the charlie bucket
dark chocolate grahams, fleur de sel & cocoa sugar,
chocolate marshmallow, semisweet chocolate ganache

SALTED CARAMELS   .50/ea
sea salt
chocolate sea salt
apricot chile

CANDY BARS  8/ea
the willy wonka
peanut butter nougat, brown sugar-brown butter cookie,
banana ganache, dipped in milk chocolate

the oompa loompa
roasted peanuts, caramel,
chocolate nougat, covered in dark chocolate

SLURTLES   4/ea
beer caramel atop crunchy pretzels or potato chips, dark chocolate shell