16-Bit Bar+Arcade is no two-bit operation

Source: The Columbus Dispatch, OhioSept.存倉 05--For fans of the new 16-Bit Bar+Arcade, it's game over.The waiting game, that is.Since word of a Downtown watering hole stocked with throwback arcade consoles and craft beers began to circulate in the spring, response from nostalgia-heavy hipsters and gaming geeks has been almost rapturous: gushing blog posts, countless grumbles via Facebook amid inspection delays, and online reviews before an opening date was announced.Last weekend, the 3,000-square-foot complex on S. 4th Street hit the figurative "power" button before packed crowds."It's crazy how passionate people are about this stuff," said owner Troy Allen, 40, a Dublin resident who conceived 16-Bit after experiencing the "barcade" model during business trips to hip cities such as Austin, Texas, and Chicago."When people step in here, we really want them to step back in time."Unlike the dark, neon-accented mall arcades of the 1980s, however, Allen's outpost features a modern design with reclaimed wood and rustic pendant light bulbs. Pedestals next to each game keep a beverage at arm's reach while hands are occupied with joysticks or steering wheels.Among 45 vintage titles on the floor: BurgerTime, Centipede, NBA Jam and Tron. Standards such as Galaga and Ms. Pac Man are in place, too. A Mortal Kombat tournament -- accompanied by a soundtrack of heavy-metal hair bands -- will take place each Monday."Everyone wants the fighting games," said Allen, who amassed the collection piecemeal from Craigslist and secondhand dealers. "I grew up on these games."The 21-and-older venue is a far cry from the nondescript convenience stores in northeastern Ohio where a young Allen would empty his pockets to play Kung-Fu Master circa 1984.It's a shift, too, from all-ages gaming franchises such as Dave & Buster's, which offer a full food menu and modern-day digital diversions.At 16-Bit, which is named after the late-1980s era of video games, "it's very much an upscale feel," Allen said.No kitchen is present, but patrons may bring in noshes from other restaurants. Food trucks will periodically set up nearby.Allen, who by day runs a Co迷你倉umbus branding agency -- and isn't planning to manage the bar -- created a calendar that caters to the whims of its niche clientele.Each night at 16-Bit features various drink discounts and a corresponding theme. On "Wayback Wednesday," for example, 1980s cinema staples such as The Goonies and Weird Science will be shown. Boy-band tunes are set to blare tonight during the first " Tiger Beat Thursday."Mimicking such kitsch are libations saluting not-so-recent celebs who range from Belinda Carlisle to Tawny Kitaen. According to the menu, a bourbon-based Burt Reynolds will "put some hair on your chest.""The names are the fun," said Wayne Walters, 16-Bit director of operations. "The Emilio Estevez screams margarita to me."Perhaps the biggest selling point: With the exception of pinball and a mechanical skill quest known as Ice Cold Beer, all game play is free.That's because jammed coin slots are the most common reasons for a machine's breakage, Allen said. He hopes that no-cost access will keep the aging consoles in working order.But that means guests will need to mind their manners -- in both the length of play and sportsmanship. A chalkboard sign upon entry reads: Relive your childhood, but don't act like a child.Still, a trip down memory lane is likely. "It's been 15 years since I played some of these games," said patron Guhan Venguswamy, 24, of Upper Arlington, who sipped Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale while recalling his fondness for the neighborhood arcade as a child in Kentucky. "This experience is completely different."Just as the Atari gave way to Super Nintendo, 16-Bit might also morph.There's additional space upstairs and at least 20 more arcade titles in Allen's arsenal. Requests to live-stream gaming tournaments known as eSports -- akin to watching an actual sporting match but with video gamers -- are under consideration.Every day is another chance to push "reset," Allen said."We're kind of going to evolve as we go."kjoy@dispatch.comCopyright: ___ (c)2013 The Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, Ohio) Visit The Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, Ohio) at .dispatch.com Distributed by MCT Information Services自存倉