Bar and indie cinema Longplay was a beloved fixture of Fitzroy North for over a decade before it closed earlier this year. But its spirit lives on in Wildflower Picture House & Bar, now occupying the same space with a fresh but familiar vibe.

It’s co-owned by Will Koon and Jayden Boyce, who formerly worked in film in the US and UK (where he was a camera assistant on Downton Abbey amongst other shows).

“I spent a lot of time in New York and my favourite bar I ever went to [the now-shut Videology Bar & Cinema] was this really dimly lit [venue] that had a cinema out the back,” Boyce tells Broadsheet. “It's very similar to what we've got here.”

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When Covid derailed his film aspirations, he returned to Australia. Opening his own cinema bar wasn’t the original plan but when Longplay went up for sale, it felt like fate. Drawing inspiration from Videology and Brooklyn’s Nighthawk Cinema, Wildflower has transformed the once-bright interiors into a moody, intimate space with burgundy walls, wooden accents, and glowing red strip lights.

The theatre itself, with its professional-grade screen and tiered seating for up to 30, didn’t need much of a makeover. “It’s the same size as some of the smaller cinemas at Nova,” Boyce says.

Though the space has hosted a mix of comedy shows, gigs and private functions, the focus is firmly on film. Boyce will kick things off with a Halloween screening – film to be determined – paired with a themed cocktail that doubles as your cinema ticket. This format will carry through future screenings with genres spanning everything from cult classics to under-the-radar deep cuts, many from Boyce’s own collection.

“I do love bad movies and this is a good space for it,” he admits. “You can have some drinks, bring a couple of mates. Watching a bad film under those circumstances is great.”

For the more serious cinephiles, expect screenings of classics by renowned directors (Boyce mentions the great Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky) and a steady rotation of obscure films.

If that’s not your speed, the front bar offers its own drawcards including a vinyl-fueled soundtrack, a curated whisky selection and accessible happy hour deals like $4 tinnies, $8 house wines and $2.50 oysters all night on Fridays.

“We still want to keep the older crowd that was here before but also attract that younger crowd who probably want to keep it under $30 or $40 for the night,” Boyce says.

The venue has partnered with West Melbourne taqueria Hello Jose to round out the experience. Find dishes like totopos (loaded corn tortilla chips) and tacos filled with slow-cooked tamarind beef, crispy chicken or vegan chorizo.

Wildflower Picture House & Bar
318 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North

Hours:
Mon & Wed 5.30pm–10pm
Thu 5.30pm–midnight
Fri 5.00pm–midnight
Sat 4.30pm–1am
Sun 5pm–10pm

@wildflowerpicturehousebar