“A Bar For The New Generation” by Ivan Mena
Alcohol and video games. There’s nothing more that can describe two of the top interests of this generation’s young adults. In the 1980’s, when video games made a huge splash, it was hard to keep young boys and girls from draining their parent’s wallets for these new Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis and all sorts of other video games that were a big part of the culture in the late 20th century. Decades later, these children that were so filled with energy and excitement over playing classic titles such as Alien Invaders, Tetris, Donkey Kong, RoboCop, and many more are all grown up and ready to face on the responsibilities that come with being an adult. But why should stop them from reliving the moments that have brought so much happiness when they were younger? Why not just bring back the classic arcade games for these young adults in an environment for them and just for them?
Barcade, which from the title you can assume it’s a bar arcade, is exactly where anyone of these children can play those heart-thumping games that made kids jump with enthusiasm whenever mothers and fathers uttered the words “here’s a quarter go play a video game”. Founded in 2004 by four friends who were each working on their own careers at the time, decided to open up an arcade that serves beer and other alcoholic beverages. Paul Kermizian, one of the founders, was working in film at the time and just recently released a documentary on an American beer industry called “American Beer”. The other founders Pete Langway, who was working in advertisement, and Kevin and Scott Beard, twin brothers who were in graphics design, spent time with Paul during the filming relaxing in his Williamsburg loft playing games and drinking beer. It wasn’t long before they hatched the idea of opening up an arcade themed bar. Of course, arcades in bars isn’t something new but Kermizian saw something that was different. “Yes there are arcade games in bars but this is something else. This is a whole arcade in a bar. Bet you haven’t seen that”.
Located on Union Avenue by the Brooklyn-Queens Express Way, its easy getting to if you know Brooklyn. If you’re using public transit, the L train and G train both are within a block from the arcade bar on Lorimer St/Metropolitan Ave. It was a little risky for these four gentlemen to even get started with the business as, for one, the idea was risky itself seeing that it was a fresh new idea and secondly, capital to even start a business is always an issue. The financing and finding banks that were willing to lend money was definitely not easy. It took a while before they were able to actually find the funds to open the business, and it turned out great for them. After the Williamsburg location took off, they opened two other locations in Jersey City, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Upon entering the bar, you may or may not be greeted with a large crowd as it really depends on the days you go. Weekends are usually the nights that get the largest hordes while weeknights are where you will see casual drinkers and video gamers sporadically spread throughout the bar.
“It feels like home” says Josh Vargas, who lives a couple blocks down from Barcade. “It’s almost like I’m a kid again except not because I can drink now which makes it a whole lot better”. Many people, like Vargas, enjoy coming to Barcade for the video games and enjoy a beer on the side while others are different.
“I was never really much of a gamer” says Gary, a 24 year old college student at Pace University, “I come here because I like the people here. I like to drink with these people. Sometimes I play a game or two but to me it’s all about the beer and the people.”
The pricing is standard of the most part. They offer a large variety of different beers such as Brooklyn Weisse, Dogfish, Harpoon and Penn Kaiser. All of these are $6 each and if you make it on time for Happy Hour, which are from open to 8pm on weekdays and to 5pm on weeknights, they are $5. This is pretty good compared to other bars around the neighborhood. Williamsburg has become a sanctuary of bars over the last decade or so and it is a tough environment to compete in. Union Pool is a popular up & coming bar located a few blocks down from Barcade between Skillman Avenue and Conselyea Street. With draft beers being $4-$5, it’s not too much different than Barcade. “We have a business to run” says Kermizian. “We don’t need to worry ourselves with the prices of other bars. I’m sure they don’t worry about us.” Many bars around the neighborhood are around in the same ballpark when it comes to price but Kermizian knows there’s something special about Barcade that keeps customers coming.
“It’s different, you know. We offer a large variety of drinks and fun with these arcade games that you can’t get anywhere else, really. I think we’re doing pretty well”. Oh and they are. “I don’t feel comfortable disclosing our numbers but I guarantee you that we’re doing pretty well considering our beginnings.”
Bartender Jeremy Flauta, who works weekends at Barcade, also vouches for the bar’s financial success. “I probably walk out of here with about $200 worth of tips a night. I only work Saturdays and I’m sure it gets pretty dull around here during the week but we sell about a thousand beers a weekend here no joke so that’s an easy $5,000 of revenue right there.”
Barcade is definitely not going to slow down anytime soon as they plan to open their forth location in the Chelsea area of Manhattan in 2014. Kermizian remains hopeful that the future generations will enjoy barcade as much as he has with his friends.
“It’s all about fun. I love video games. I love drinking. I love being with my friends. I know people love doing that too.”
When the dust has settled, that’s what life is all about. Having fun and being with the people you want to be around. “That’s why I come here” says Vargas. “Nothing better than booze, buds and bideo games. I tried to make them all b’s but whatever”. He laughs as he shoots at the zombies on the screen.