Bar Arcades

Mizzou

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I'm guessing this has been talked about a ton already, but has anyone else noticed the resurgance of arcade games in the form of these bar arcades. I've only really noticed it in the last year or so (I know they have been around longer) but they seem to be taking hold and people are really taking an interest. Do you all think this will be a fad or something that will take root and stick around for a good while? If you asked me 3 years ago do you think you will ever see arcades again I would have said emphatically no...I'm glad I seem to be proven wrong.
 
I don't know the answer but I am sure glad to see them popping up. I have always had a dream in the back of my head to open up an arcade. Hell, to tell the truth, my dream would be to open up a movie drive-in with a large arcade and bar attached. but, unless I can convince myself that I can make a successful living doing it, it will remain a dream.
 
Been helping a guy work on a "barcade" project in New England. Can't say much right now, but there should be a Kickstarter to support soon. I will keep everyone posted.
 
Been helping a guy work on a "barcade" project in New England. Can't say much right now, but there should be a Kickstarter to support soon. I will keep everyone posted.
PLEASE say it's close to me! ;). I've been wishing for something like this around here. However, I've heard that getting even a beer and wine license in MA is a complete PITA much less a liquor license. PM me if there is any way I can help.
 
barcade

Been helping a guy work on a "barcade" project in New England. Can't say much right now, but there should be a Kickstarter to support soon. I will keep everyone posted.

Hate to go there but "Barcade" is a trademark of Barcade Brooklyn/Jersey City/Philadelphia. Make sure your location doesn't use that in their name. Those guys will protect their trademark.

Good luck with the new place & keep us all posted!

-Scott
 
I think they will be around for a while. Barcades are just a smaller version of Dave and Busters and they just seem to keep growing.
 
PLEASE say it's close to me! ;). I've been wishing for something like this around here. However, I've heard that getting even a beer and wine license in MA is a complete PITA much less a liquor license. PM me if there is any way I can help.

Can say where as of yet, but YES, the liquor license IS one of the toughest nuts to crack. If there are any official announcements, I will be sure to copy them in this thread.

scottmaggie said:
Hate to go there but "Barcade" is a trademark of Barcade Brooklyn/Jersey City/Philadelphia. Make sure your location doesn't use that in their name. Those guys will protect their trademark.

Really? I had no idea o_O Seriously, that is why there is a lower case "b" in the "barcade" and the latter was in quotes. Like it or not, the term "barcade" has become ubiquitous, like "Kleenex" referring to tissue. With that said, the aforementioned project is not mine, it belongs to someone else. I am just doing whatever I can to support the effort.
 
Using a federal trademarked name in the generic, as you offer by using a lower case "b" does not mean it isn't an infringement. Kleenex may be used to describe tissues by some in casual conversation, but Kimberly-Clark defends its trademarked name "Kleenex" vigorously, as do we, the owners of Barcade. We've been using it for a long time now and will continue to defend our rights to it.

Back to the original topic of the post, I'm very happy for the renewed interest in classic arcade games in the bar/arcade format. Our first Barcade location opened 8 years ago and we were one of very few places with 30+ classic arcade games back then. The past year especially has seen an explosion in the opening of bar/arcade hybrids and I wish all of them success. It's a tough business though (the bar part on its own is hard enough without adding a bunch of malfunctioning old machines to it) so I don't expect that all of them will make it long term. The good ones will though - and possibly the not so good ones if they have enough money.

This is a fun time for classic gamers.

Paul Kermizian
Barcade co-founder
 
Using a federal trademarked name in the generic, as you offer by using a lower case "b" does not mean it isn't an infringement. Kleenex may be used to describe tissues by some in casual conversation, but Kimberly-Clark defends its trademarked name "Kleenex" vigorously, as do we, the owners of Barcade. We've been using it for a long time now and will continue to defend our rights to it.

Back to the original topic of the post, I'm very happy for the renewed interest in classic arcade games in the bar/arcade format. Our first Barcade location opened 8 years ago and we were one of very few places with 30+ classic arcade games back then. The past year especially has seen an explosion in the opening of bar/arcade hybrids and I wish all of them success. It's a tough business though (the bar part on its own is hard enough without adding a bunch of malfunctioning old machines to it) so I don't expect that all of them will make it long term. The good ones will though - and possibly the not so good ones if they have enough money.

This is a fun time for classic gamers.

Paul Kermizian
Barcade co-founder

Paul, no offense meant in the use of the term "barcade". I presumed that this was a causual discussion abuot the genre. There is absolutely no intent by the person leading the project to use any form of "barcade" in relation to the new establishment that he is working on. Out of respect for you, I will refrain from using it in the vein of "kleenex" moving forward.

With that said, I finally had the opportunity to stob by the Barcade in Brooklyn a few weeks ago for my birthday and can definitely attest to the challenges your crew there must face. We all know how finicky these games can be in the protected confines of our homes, much less in the midst of a busy bar with partrons who may or may not have the same level of respect for the machines as we do. Despite the random buggered machine at the Brooklyn location, the bar itself was very cool, and the beer selection was exceptional. I went on a Saturday night when it was crowded and loud (business was good that night!). Would love to go back when things are more calm so I could fully enjoy the game selection. Keep up the good work.
 
Personally I'm really glad that these are becoming a trend, I would love to start one myself in South Bay CA. We have a few options around LA for these, Blipsy, Barney's Be@nery, etc that have been around for quite a while so to some degree they must be viable long term.

They are very expensive to start up around here (think 150~250K+ depending on location, rent, etc) and take a lot of time and effort to get going. Can't hurt to dream though, right?
 
Dane,

Glad to hear you had a good experience in Brooklyn. Yes, try an afternoon and you'll be able to have more quiet time with the games.

And maintaining the games is definitely the biggest challenge we face (above even the regular challenges in operating a bar and overseeing a staff). Since most of our customers are not collectors or KLOV members, this challenge is beyond most of their understanding. Then we add alcohol to the equation...

Best of luck with the project you are helping with. Make sure they have a great tech at their disposal and keep a well stocked closet full of backup parts on premises.
 
They will last so long as they don't have to rely on the same old games forever. Manufacturers need to make some new games that actually use new ideas and are innovative unlike the last 20 years of arcade games. The games not being compelling enough to make money is THE reason arcades are gone today.
 
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sorry...it's like when someone tells you not to say the word bomb on a plane. I just end up feeling compelled to say it. :D
 
I'm guessing this has been talked about a ton already, but has anyone else noticed the resurgance of arcade games in the form of these bar arcades. I've only really noticed it in the last year or so (I know they have been around longer) but they seem to be taking hold and people are really taking an interest. Do you all think this will be a fad or something that will take root and stick around for a good while? If you asked me 3 years ago do you think you will ever see arcades again I would have said emphatically no...I'm glad I seem to be proven wrong.

when I got onto the forums 5 years ago Iwas super excited to check out places like Ground Kontrol, Barcade, etc., but my enthusiasm has since waned...

I think it can be done well on a local owner level. A national franchise I really wouldn't bother with... I believe the Insert Coin barcades in Vegas and Minneapolis are nationally franchised, and I've heard nothing but bad things about the condition of games there, and yeah, the regular daily staff couldn't care less...

Barcades are just a smaller version of Dave and Busters and they just seem to keep growing.

And that's a good thing?

(the bar part on its own is hard enough without adding a bunch of malfunctioning old machines to it)

This is one of the things that scares me. yeah, you have enough on your plate just running a bar. First off, I know my favorite games are not gonna be working 100%. And when I go to the bartender for my 2 bits back, he's gonna say "fuck, I don't got time for this shit!", or look at me like I'm tryin to scam the place out of 25 fucking cents!... Seriously. The regular daily slaves ain't worried about the games. Obviously, there are exceptions. I hear good things about 1up, for instance...

random buggered machine at the Brooklyn location

Ok, there ya go... I've heard alot of good thing about Barcade, so get those games workin right!
If it isn't working properly an 'out of order' sign should be on it!

We have a few options around LA for these, Blipsy, Barney's Be@nery,

So how are the games here as far as condition and playability? I am curious... don't worry about giving me the beer list:rolleyes:

Since most of our customers are not collectors or KLOV members, this challenge is beyond most of their understanding. Then we add alcohol to the equation...

That's the thing... most of your drunken customers are not as anal about the playability of the games. They wouldn't know if the BZ isn't working perfectly, so they're not gonna bring any problems to your attention. Just sayin.

Yeah, and then add alcohol to the equation...

So, anyway, Over the years my enthusiasm to visit 'barcades' has been tempered quite a bit. No special trips...

The only trip I'm really gonna do is to the new place in Idaho, Grinker's. And I'm not sure that is really classified as a barcade type place... I will be very critical on playability and condition on MC, BZ and Scramble! And I'll report back here...
 
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I, too, was very enthusiastic to visit the assorted bar arcades anywhere within driving distance but unfortunately I have been pretty disappointed. The games always seem to be an afterthought and the selection is usually not very good. Add to all of that when I do find a game I want to play it is usually broken in some way.

I was most disappointed by Ground Kontrol in Portland and of all the bar arcades I have been in I felt Shorty's in Seattle was the best. I have found that dedicated arcades seem to be much better - they give a crap about the games instead of them being an afterthought.
 
I, too, was very enthusiastic to visit the assorted bar arcades anywhere within driving distance but unfortunately I have been pretty disappointed. The games always seem to be an afterthought and the selection is usually not very good. Add to all of that when I do find a game I want to play it is usually broken in some way.

I was most disappointed by Ground Kontrol in Portland and of all the bar arcades I have been in I felt Shorty's in Seattle was the best. I have found that dedicated arcades seem to be much better - they give a crap about the games instead of them being an afterthought.

Just curious - did Ground Kontrol strike a poor balance? I visited Ground Kontrol before they made the move to Chinatown so my frame of reference is out of date...!
 
The games always seem to be an afterthought and the selection is usually not very good. Add to all of that when I do find a game I want to play it is usually broken in some way.
BINGO! This is the impression I have gotten over the past 5 years from previous barcade threads...
 
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