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Cantina scene: ‘Star Wars’ fans land at local bar

Cantina scene: ‘Star Wars’ fans land at local bar
Photo by Jordan Rathkopf

Luke, I am your vintner.

Lightsabers glowed and wine flowed at The Owl’s Head pre-game party for the midnight premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” on Dec. 17. The 74th Street wine bar looked like the Mos Eisley Cantina with patrons dressed as characters from the beloved sci-fi saga, and it made for quite the spectacle, the owner said.

“We had some lightsaber fights and everyone was having a good time — even the people who weren’t prepared for a wine bar to be invaded by a bunch of geeks playing with toys, I think, enjoyed it,” said bar owner and self-proclaimed Star Wars geek John Avelluto. “I think some people out on the street were a bit shocked when they looked in.”

Star Wars aficionados brought in collectibles of various vintage, including some top-of-the-line lightsaber replicas. Naturally, there was a little swordplay, but the Force was strong with patrons, and no one broke any wine glasses, Avelluto said.

The staff played composer John Williams’ masterpiece score all night and replaced the bar’s regular projection of a Yule log with the “Darth Vader Yule Log,” a five-hour loop of villain Darth Vader’s funeral pyre from the end of “Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.”

Vino Villian: Owl’s Head owner John Avelutto is probably regretting letting Star Wars villian Kylo Ren into his bar on Dec. 17.
Photo by Jordan Rathkopf

Avelluto reserved 17 tickets to the midnight showing at nearby Alpine Cinemas and sold them at face value with the purchase of a drink, he said.

Putting back a few with fellow fans before the hotly anticipated movie opened made the night more memorable, according to a regular who saw the flick at a nearby movie house.

“It was the perfect way to get ready for the midnight showing — we were all really excited,” said TJ Furey. “We talked Star Wars shop, had a few beers and some wine, and rolled down to Alpine Cinemas for the midnight show.”

Reach reporter Dennis Lynch at (718) 260–2508 or e-mail him at dlynch@cnglocal.com.
Getting into the spirit: Alaric Hahn dressed up as “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” villian Kylo Ren for Owl’s Head’s pre-midnight showing party on Dec 17.
Photo by Jordan Rathkopf