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This venue is closed.

Sandwiched between graffiti-scrawled industrial buildings and artists’ lofts in East Williamsburg, the Archive conveniently combines two unrelated stores: a coffee shop and a DVD-rental outlet. Scuffed wood floors, dingy furniture, and exposed pipes overhead give the space a worn-in but cozy feel. Regulars nosh on baked goods, sandwiches, and coffee in the café area while taking advantage of free Wi-Fi or paging through the well-stocked selection of alt-mags like Mother Jones and Giant Robot. The small but well-curated collection of movies is in back, with an emphasis on indie films and cult classics. Scrabble tiles spell out the genres above each section’s shelves, including new releases, comedy, documentary, foreign, drama, and horror. If you’re jonesing for some Coen Brothers or Stanley Kubrick, one shelf is helpfully organized by director. The spot aims to be a disseminator of culture rather than just a stand-in for Blockbuster. — Jacquelyn Lewis