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Sci-fi nerds, avid gamers, and general board game fanatics: mark your calendars. The Storm Crow Alehouse (1619 West Broadway), the sister restaurant of the wildly popular Storm Crow Tavern, is set to open as early as next Friday (February 12).

The Straight got a sneak peek at the space this afternoon, where renovations have been ongoing since the closure of the Academic Public House in October.

A snarling Rancor head sits above a toasty, refinished gas fireplace at the back of the new Storm Crow. Amanda Siebert

Sci-fi fans will geek out over the life-size Han Solo figure frozen in carbonite. Amanda Siebert

A vibrant mural pays homage to Erol Otus, a graphic designer for Dungeons & Dragons during the '80s and '90s. Amanda Siebert

The former Donnelly Group pub is nearly unrecognizable following a total gut-job and the installation of Storm Crow’s signature sci-fi and fantasy paraphernalia. Among the highlights are a life-size Han Solo figure frozen in carbonite; a snarling Rancor statue which sits above a refinished gas fireplace; and a vivid mural that pays homage to Erol Otus, one of the original graphic artists for Dungeons & Dragons.

“This is kind of like the Storm Crow 2.0,” says Sean Cranbury, general manager at the alehouse, in an interview at the new space. “It’s a much more consciously designed room from the ground up.”

A floor-to-ceiling bookshelf houses a ridiculous amount of board games, books, and sci-fi and fantasy paraphernalia. Amanda Siebert

Three giant light pillars showcase vintage movie posters at the centre of the space. Amanda Siebert

The board game selection includes classics like Clue, Battleship, Jenga, and even Twister. Amanda Siebert

Three giant light pillars stand at the centre of the restaurant, which showcase an assortment of vintage movie posters. Toward the back, a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf houses an impressive collection of brand new board games, books, and Star Wars memorabilia, which is only expected to grow.

The alehouse has a seating capacity of 154 people—twice as many as the Storm Crow on Commercial Drive. As a result, the restaurant will serve an expanded menu, which includes items like fried chicken, steak sandwiches, and ribs.

The spacious bar will have 20 beers on tap, many of them from local breweries like 33 Acres Brewing Company and Four Winds Brewing Company. Amanda Siebert

A few elements, like these awesome helmets, still need to be installed at the new restaurant. Amanda Siebert

A mix of high-tops, booths, and picnic tables will seat up to 154 people in the new space. Amanda Siebert

Fans of the Storm Crow on the Drive can expect the same inventive cocktail offerings at the new West Broadway spot, plus a generous 20 beers on tap.

Flat-screen televisions will also abide by the Storm Crow’s strict sci-fi-and-fantasy-film-only policy, with the occasional live viewings of Game of Thrones.

Scroll through the rest of the images below for a look at the soon-to-be-completed space.

View from the street: the Storm Crow Alehouse sign was installed this past week. Amanda Siebert

One of three hand-drawn wall murals at the new Storm Crow Alehouse. Amanda Siebert

The expansive bar is a major step-up from the one at Storm Crow's Commercial Drive spot. Amanda Siebert

"A lot of things in this room—if you get it, you just get it," general manager Sean Cranbury says of the geeked-out digs. Amanda Siebert

A close-up of the Storm Crow Alehouse sign from the street. Amanda Siebert

Battle axes, helmets, and armour are among the fantasy-leaning décor. Amanda Siebert