Perhaps this will make the city a little less "boring." (Lafayette: purchasing, to live in)

[petsounds]

First of all, If this is not allowed, feel free to delete or move to a general forum.

So, a couple of dudes I know have been working really hard purchasing and restoring old arcade games, so they can open their own arcade bar in the city. They have an impressive lot of games and the best thing is when the place opens, all of the games are going to be set to free play.

Anyway, they are in the fundraising phase right now, if anyone is interested. I think it is going to be a really cool place for the city, especially since they are going to have pinball, too.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/tappers-arcade-bar

Again, if this is inappropriate for this forum, I understand. I think it relates to the city and the discussion about thing to do... here is someone doing something about it.

[W & C]

Cool, I was at a place like that about a month or two ago:

Add-a-Ball

[Serious Conversation]

I think this is a great idea and would be viable.

[sweetana3]

It would not even need to be free play. I would love to play those old arcade games and it would be fun to pay a quarter a play or something. The atmosphere will be critical. Safe and fun for drinks and games could go over big. Lots to advertise and a "new" idea.

[petsounds]

Originally Posted by sweetana3

It would not even need to be free play. I would love to play those old arcade games and it would be fun to pay a quarter a play or something. The atmosphere will be critical. Safe and fun for drinks and games could go over big. Lots to advertise and a "new" idea.

I used to live in Lafayette and there is a pinball place there, but you just run out of money so quickly, so I am looking forward to free play.

Yeah, these guys aren't sketchy, more nerdy, so I think it will be a cool atmosphere. They really care about the machines, so they aren't gonna let people come in and start screwing them up. Hopefully, it ends up as a cool laid back place.

[ServoMiff]

Interesting concept, but I'd be concerned about long term viability if the games are free play.

Theoretically, there's only so many people you can fit at machines - not all of them are going to drink, which I presume is going to be the only source of revenue, maybe along with some food? A bar makes money by turning the crowd over if they aren't drinking heavily - I doubt a video game bar would attract the "drunks", so I'm not sure the margin will be there to keep this going for the long term.

How do other arcade bars like this do it?

[W & C]

Originally Posted by ServoMiff

Interesting concept, but I'd be concerned about long term viability if the games are free play.

Theoretically, there's only so many people you can fit at machines - not all of them are going to drink, which I presume is going to be the only source of revenue, maybe along with some food? A bar makes money by turning the crowd over if they aren't drinking heavily - I doubt a video game bar would attract the "drunks", so I'm not sure the margin will be there to keep this going for the long term.

How do other arcade bars like this do it?

Ones i've seen aren't free play. And they do attract the drunks - grown men getting blitzed remembering their childhood

[ischyros]

Originally Posted by petsounds

I used to live in Lafayette and there is a pinball place there, but you just run out of money so quickly, so I am looking forward to free play.

Yeah, these guys aren't sketchy, more nerdy, so I think it will be a cool atmosphere. They really care about the machines, so they aren't gonna let people come in and start screwing them up. Hopefully, it ends up as a cool laid back place.

I have to say while I love the idea, I don't think I would invest. I can't see it making money, especially if every machine is free play. And I don't know how they would keep the riffraff out. I assume it will be 21 and older since it will be a bar? Don't get me wrong. I have very fond memories of arcades when I was growing up and if they can get this going, I will be there with my friends a lot! I just have my doubts about how viable it is. Is it a bar that happens to have some arcade games or is it an arcade that happens to have a bar?

[sirrob]

Yea, while I appreciate these guys enthu, with this current business model, I don't see it sustaining itself long-term either.

I'd say $5 all you can play is a good price. I'm a retro arcade nut, and a pinhead, and I'd be MORE than happy to pay 5 bux to drink some brews, and play some pin!

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by ischyros

I have to say while I love the idea, I don't think I would invest. I can't see it making money, especially if every machine is free play. And I don't know how they would keep the riffraff out. I assume it will be 21 and older since it will be a bar? Don't get me wrong. I have very fond memories of arcades when I was growing up and if they can get this going, I will be there with my friends a lot! I just have my doubts about how viable it is. Is it a bar that happens to have some arcade games or is it an arcade that happens to have a bar?

I think it will basically be an arcade that happens to sell alcohol. The games really are the focus, not the alcohol.