As a wise, green, swamp-dwelling Jedi master once said, “In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way.” Being the near-omniscient guy that he was, Yoda probably also knew that the dark place is where we also find ourselves having way more fun than we would on the light side of the Force. (Search your feelings, you know it to be true.)
Enter the DarkSide Bar, a new Sith-themed pop-up in Hollywood. Now through January 14, you’ll be able to throw back a few Jedi Mind Trick cocktails or a flaming Imperial drink, all while taking in an intergalactic burlesque show or blasting your way through interactive trivia nights. Sure, the third floor of Hollywood & Highland mall is no Death Star, but you’ll still find a number of the Empire’s familiar faces: Storm Troopers and even Vader himself will be on hand in the black and red neon-lit bar, and you may even catch them participating in some of DarkSide’s nightly events, like burlesque shows “featuring performers from many different planets,” themed DJ nights, “global saber lights out dance parties,” trivia and gaming.
Pilots, bounty hunters, Jensaarai, emperors and Jedi alike are encouraged to book reservations, which will set any guest back $33; at the door, it costs $40 per head. It may seem like a steep entry fee, but each ticket includes two specialty cocktails, of which there are six—some bubbling liquid nitrogen, some just colorful takes on classics like a Long Island Iced tea.
DarkSide, which is also popping up in NYC and D.C., isn’t just an intergalactic watering hole; expect to find frequently rotating bites such as “tentacles on sticks” (soy- and BBQ-glazed octopus skewers) and “Bantha fodder” (vegan egg rolls).
If you need further proof to sway you to the dark side, simply look at this video of an inflatable Jabba the Hutt dancing with a Tauntaun—and you’re welcome, by the way:
DarkSide Bar runs now through January 14, open Wednesday through Saturday from 6pm to 2am, and Sundays from 6pm to midnight. Find it at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard, on the third floor of the Hollywood & Highland mall.