Syndicated – a restaurant, bar, independent movie theater unrelated to Nitehawk – will open tomorrow night, bringing a new dining and entertainment venue to 40 Bogart Street off the Morgan L. The brainchild of Tim Chung, a former film location scout and lifelong movie buff, Syndicated is a restaurant and bar AND separate theater screening classic films, Indies and thematic festivals where you can order food and drink from the comfort of your seat.
The restaurant will serve seasonal New American dishes and elevated bar food from Bret Macris, an LA native and former chef at Rose Water. The menu will offer Macris’ seasonal spin on American comfort food with many items also available in the theater. Starters include popcorn-crusted fried oysters and bacon butter maple meatballs, shown below.
Main courses include a selection of sandwiches and burgers, while larger plates include slow-cooked lamb ribs with harissa glaze and Steak Frites (below). Both the kitchen and bar will also create specials to accompany many of the films being screened.
Cocktails are inspired by the classics and take their names from the world of film, including Up In Smoke, made with Herradura tequila, mezcal, maraschino, orange blossom, egg white, Crème de Menthe, lemon and simple syrup. A selection of craft beers focuses on local New York breweries with 10 beers on tap.
The intimate cinema, seating 50, is not your average theater. Rows of custom designed banquettes with leather headrests rise and handcrafted tables for two allow viewers to enjoy a wide selection of drinks and food, as well as eight types of gourmet popcorn (popped in house) and artisanal snacks in the comfort of their seats. Servers discreetly take orders both before and during films.
Special events series will include double features, festivals such as the upcoming 2016 Oscar Shorts Fest, Hi/Low pairing highbrow art films with similarly-themed Hollywood hits, and Film Class showcasing historically significant films followed by discussions. Ticket prices will be neighborhood friendly with single tickets starting at $3 and double features starting at $5. Just in time for the Oscars, Syndicated will air the awards show live.
The movie list for the next two months:
Syndicated, 40 Bogart St. Hours: Sunday – Wednesday 4pm to 12am and Thursday to Saturday 4pm – 2am. Films will be screened daily. Friday night grand opening: the movies will screen at 6PM and 9PM. Their website with movie programs and times launches later today.
Kristen Baughman contributed reporting.