Every bar is looking for that new big idea. Something simple, yet unique to draw in a crowd. Candice Kronika had just taken over the Monday night bartending shift at Merry Arts Pub and Grille in Lakewood. She knew it was traditionally a slow night, but she had no idea how slow.

“There was nothing to do on Mondays,” she said. “One night it was just me and my friend, I spent the whole night playing Silver Strike bowling. So one night I brought in the movie 'The Usual Suspects.'”

As she watched that movie with a small group of friends, an idea formed. Kronika decided that her target audience was right in front of her face. Nerds. She convinced bar owner John Granzier to let her have a theme night. The next week “Nerd Movie Night at Arts” was born with the showing of Space Balls.

In just a few weeks, what started out of boredom has turned into not only a reason to go out on Monday nights, but a profitable business venture.

“When Candice first asked me I thought it might be illegal, but I called and checked that it was ok,” Granzier said. “It has more than doubled our Monday nights. It often depends a lot on the weather and what movie is showing. Candice has a lot to do with it as well. She is a different kind of bartender and she has a great personality.”

Kronika and her loyal collection of nerds make sure each Monday is unique and special. A sheet is passed out each week with drinking rules specific to that movie. Naturally there is popcorn, but also each week has a food and drink theme passed on that night‘s movie.

“For Goonies, we passed out Baby Ruth candy bars and created a shot called Wishing Well Water,” Kronika said. “For Ghostbusters I and II, we had shots called Slimers. It was Midori, Absolute, and Pineapple Juice. It looked just liked slime, but it was good.”

The beer special is fitting as well, $1.50 bottles of Pabst Blue Ribbon.

“That is the beer that all of these guys  drink,” Kronika said.

Monday night has always been one of two Patti’s Famous Tacos night at Merry Arts. Served until 11 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays and considered the best in Northeast Ohio, the tacos are so good that they were once discussed on Late Night with David Letterman by former Merry Arts regular and future Nerd Movie night featured actor Tom Hanks.  Patti is happy to share her night with the nerds.

“I like it,” Patti said. “I love 80s movies because I am still stuck in the 80s. It has brought in a good crowd.”

Those in attendance say there is no secret why the night is so popular.

“People love movies and they love to drink,” Alex Perez said. “If I wasn’t here I would be home doing the same thing. Mondays are laid back. You can come in here and relax and just enjoy the movie. It is quiet.”

“You don’t have to hear loud rap music for three hours,” Dave Schalno said. “And who doesn’t love movies like Goonies.”

There is a group of regulars who have been there from the beginning. But word of mouth is increasing the size of the crowd.

“I did not think it would get this popular,” Sean Mramor said. “There used to just be eight people in the bar on Monday nights. When someone new walks in unaware, we just hand them a beer and rule sheet. They always join in.”

Merry Arts fixture Trey Lamb summed it up best.

“Tacos. Movies. Beer. It is just like college.”

Often when someone visits Merry Arts for the first time on a Monday, they ended up enjoying the vibe.

“A girl walked in and said she was just telling her boyfriend about the movie Princess Bride,” Kronika said. “He had never seen it and here we were showing it. They stayed and watched it with us.”

Kronika believes everyone has a nerd inside of them.

“We call ourselves nerds before someone else does,” she said. “Nerd night is for anyone who has memorized all the lines to their favorite movie. It is for anyone who wanted to be in their favorite movie or wanted to become their favorite character or is just willing to toast a drink to  their favorite character. Or at the very least someone who doesn’t mind all of us quoting our favorite lines out loud during the movie.”

    Next week the scheduled movie is the Great Outdoors starring John Candy and Dan Akroyd. The feature shot will be an @$$ Blaster (a better than it sounds combination of Yukon Jack, Bailey’s and Grenadine) in honor of everyone’s favorite movie bear. Future movies include Strange Brew and the Burbs.

Granzier is pleased in how movie night has turned a slow night into a good time. It isn’t just a testosterone crowd, as there is also a large percentage of females in attendance as well.

“It is not only nerds, our regulars enjoy it as well and there are a lot of ladies here too,” Granzier said. “It is something different. You always look for niche, something original to draw in a crowd. So in two months I expect every bar in Lakewood will have movie night.”

Merry Arts Pub & Grille is located at 15607 Detroit Ave in Lakewood. Phone (216) 226-4080.