Best Video Film & Cultural Center

Best Video & Coffee Bar (a.k.a. Best Video Film & Cultural Center) is a film preservation archive, café and live music venue that opened in Hamden, Connecticut in May 1985. It was founded by Hank Paper. Once VHS rental stores began to take off in the early 1980s, Paper decided to make his own independent storefront (simply known then as 'Best Video') on Whitney Avenue. The original location was 350-square-feet with approximately 500 VHS tapes. The store changed locations a number of times before settling at its current one in 2001. Not long after, a coffee bar was installed inside the store and by 2011 they began hosting live music performances. By the 2010s, streaming services such as Netflix and Redbox were putting video rental chains like Tommy K's and Blockbuster out of business. Fearing that his store would also succumb to extinction, Paper would sell Best Video to the newly formed non-profit Best Video Film & Cultural Center in November 2015. Longtime Best Video employee Hank Hoffman became the BVFCC executive director in 2019 before his retirement three years later. The current director is Julie Smith. Today Best Video features a library of 39,000 DVDs and 1,000 VHS tapes.

My family and I recently visited Best Video to attend a child's birthday party. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've lived in the area my whole life and this was my very first time visiting Best Video. Speaking as a film buff myself, I must say that I was blown away by their enormous selection. Not only do they have a lot of mainstream films but also quite a few independent and foreign titles. Best Video is clearly not a video rental store anymore: it's a film archive and cultural preservation center. I personally miss the days of going to video stores. Streaming services are great and all, but selections are constantly changing and they only work as well as your internet connection. I like holding a physical movie format in my hand. Different types of memberships are offered to customers with a variety of different incentives. The in-house café features a variety of fresh baked goods, coffee & tea, craft beer, cider and wine. I ordered and enjoyed a can of "Life in the Clouds" (Hazy IPA) by Collective Arts Brewing while eating some pizza at the birthday party. Best Video often features film screenings in the evenings as well as live music performances by artists playing bluegrass, jazz, folk, or even klezmer. The space is also available to rent for private events such as birthday parties, retirement parties, movie or book clubs, and private screenings. I look forward to returning to Best Video and I'm even interested in starting a membership.

Color us impressed! We've been in the area for a bit, but moved to a new house yesterday. We made the (long overdue) trip to Best Video and are kicking ourselves for not going sooner!

The space itself has a unique charm. I looked around to see people working, getting coffee, watching the film playing, and selecting movies with the employees. It was great to see all that happening!

The coffee is excellent. They stock Willoughby's Coffee which is a great brand. They had a full lineup of drinks. My husband got an iced coffee and I got a strawberry refresher type drink. Both were great. A bug win for me is the stocking of Bruggers Bagel AND dairy free Vio Life cream cheese. Made my day.

While we were there a runner came in for a water stop. They leave an open water station for all. It's great to see such a community place thriving. We will be back many times.

I love Best Video and make sure to visit anytime I visit Hamden. they literally have every film for every genre you can possibly imagine. if for some crazy reason they didn't have it I am 99. 9% sure they can make it appear.

The staff are really nice and knowledgeable. the store is quite spacious for the space that they have.

Please consider supporting this business it's a little piece of nostalgia that I hope continues to stay afloat for many years to come.

Best Video and Coffee Bar is one of my favorite places on the planet. I normally order a Mocha (less sweet side) and it's delicious. My husband typically gets a macchiato or espresso--always on point. Such a rare gem. Absolutely love the projector and the antique furniture set up. +Their selection of rare films is super impressive. If we lived closer, we'd most definitely have a membership.

the coffee/lattes are surprisingly good for a little off the road spot. will be back. also they have chairs and wifi so working here might be possible.

I love this place. I have always loved it, and will continue to love it.

I was one of their early "lifetime membership" adapters, and have been going there since the Jurassic period. Ok, we'll, maybe a bit later than that. Since almost right after they opened. I've followed them through all their locations, and now love going to see folks perform there. It really has become a little Hamden CT culture center.

Thanks to the folks who have worked there over the years. You have made this a very special place.

This place is a cultural treasure. I didn't realize how very much I missed video stores until I walked in here. Great staff, excellent coffee and beverage selection. The shows here are fun and quirky. Fantastic collection of British tv and cinema, and excellent staff suggestions. I love the grouping by directors, also. My favorite might be the cult/exploitation film section.
They have tasty, locally made snacks to procure for your movie night. Definitely worth checking out, if only to relive your past for a while.

Last one of these things on the East Coast. What an incredible store. I live in Jersey and wish we had one of these by us.

Movies: they have everything from new releases to obscure old foreign films (whatever you're looking for).

ALCOHOL: they have tremendous craft beers and even wine (at a surprisingly affordable cost) that you can sip while you walk around and look for your movie which is just incredibly relaxing.

Coffee shop: there's literally a small coffee shop inside this place that serves delicious coffee and donuts.

Employees: very nice, super knowledgeable.

Concerts!: these guys literally will have local musicians or established movie production members come to their store and put on shows or do speeches for anyone who wants to come watch for just $10.

Popcorn: ok I admit this is bizarre but who would've thought they'd also have the best kettle corn I've ever had in my life at this place (Kennedy's Popcorn).

I can't say enough good things about this place. I'm always nervous they won't be here every time I pass through town but lucky for me (for now) they still are. Support them. Rent a movie through them rather than at home if you can.

I'm sure have the people reading this will think I'm an employee lol (I promise I'm not). If you've never been to this place and you read my review, go check it out, it's amazingly chill you won't regret it!

Filthy. They are 'dog friendly' which means the wet stench of someones dog will waft past and through your nostrils just about when you take your first sip.
Animals , unless they are service animals, should be no where near food/drinks and warning signs should be posted for some of us who have fear of dogs (i.e.-being bitten as a child/ptsd) and allergies.
If you can't drink your coffee in the morning without Fido, get a LIFE.


Young hipster wanna be chick (T&A) told me to leave if I didn't like it.
It was pretentious enough as a VHS market, now even more snooty/snarky because they are 'intellectual hipsters' who know so much more about film and music than you ever could.
Hope it tanks soon.

This place is a gem. It triples as a video rental, coffee shop and event space. The vibe is super down-to-earth and the people are always friendly and fun. I often bring my two dogs in when getting coffee and they are met with smiles!

I thoroughly recommend this place for anyone! All walks of life welcome