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Entertainment Social Arena #7 - Retro Arcades’ Social Revolution – Part 1
This first part of the report highlights the resurgence of retro arcade venues driven by nostalgia and social engagement, targeting audiences from Gen Z to older enthusiasts. Key trends include the rise of established chains like Barcade and UK’s NQ64, alongside emerging brands such as Cobra Arcade and Continue Arcades, expanding through franchising. Major operators are blending classic gaming with food, drinks, and entertainment, attracting investment. The market is highly competitive, with new entrants and franchising opportunities fueling growth. Main challenges include sourcing retro hardware and navigating legal issues, but the sector’s momentum suggests strong future potential for investors in retro-themed social entertainment.
This is the Entertainment Social Arena, issue Number 7, retro Arcade Social Revolution, part 1, by Kevin Williams. The development of new social entertainment venues has seen a considerable deployment of hospitality sites that can be best described as barcades or retro arcades. A vast number of new start-up social entertainment venues opening that build on the popularity of arcade nostalgia. We can see two types of retro arcade facility opening into the market. Initially, we have had developers look to recapture the nostalgia of retro arcade gaming, fueled by consumer hunger for all things video arcade, this ranging from the home man Cave basement arcade collections to the zeitgeist that has been fueled from a new audience consuming promotion of retro arcade classics, such as successful movies based on game characters, the Super Mario Bros movie, sonic, the Hedgehog, etc. And the release of consumer products based on them, along with the playing of classic games via ports and emulation, enthusing a brand new generational player base. New venues, as seen recently with the Chucks Arcade launched by CEC Entertainment, covered later in the report, are offering a new style of venue targeted on the Gen Z audience born between 1996 and 2014, who have been referred to as kidults with high spending on social engagement. Let us now look at the emerging landscape of the retro arcade scene and the varied developments. As has been stated, these venues are broken into two categories of operation. Firstly, we have established those sites that have emerged from proven facility operations, emerging into chains, while we also have passionate labour-of-love personal projects from entrepreneurs looking to relive their desire for classic video gaming or pinball, attempting to recreate their interpretation of the classic arcade from their childhood, while at the same time working on the proven business model of the sports bar, now incorporated with an arcade tavern component. In compiling this feature, we have taken a snapshot of the last few months' activity in new openings in this category, compiled as part of our Open and Shut podcast for the LBX show. And so let us look at the subgroups and developments from this market Established retro chains.
Speaker 1:While the video arcade scene can trace its roots back to the late 1970s, the modern interpretation of the retro arcade has gathered momentum from the end of the 1990s, an evolution from those original video arcade chains that imploded with the transition of the gaming audience from arcade players to console consumers. Chains such as Aladdin's Castle, 1974-1994, time Out Arcade 1970-1990, or Tilt-E Arcade 1972-2010, mainstay mall arcade chains that fueled the memory of classic video gaming players Emerging from the wreckage and while the traditional amusement trade focused on the remaining street route and evolving family entertainment center FEC business, a growing offshoot of entertainment based on the tavern arcade approach, gathered momentum, ignored by the trade Personified by the likes of Barcade, the self-proclaimed originator of the arcade bar concept in the United States, opening their original venue in 2004. Recently, the chain opened its 10th facility in New York, after closing its older venue near the city. The new Manhattan site covers some 5,500 square feet, converting a previous Century 21 department store, offering more than 80 classic video games and modern releases. The chain spans from Detroit to Los Angeles, each venue housing between 40 to 75 video games and pinball machines on average, a strong mix of the brewpub and gaming den, sometimes including live music, all towards a highly social entertainment environment for a maturing audience. While Barcade may proclaim as being the originator, you will see from this less than exhaustive list that some retro arcade bars opened long before 2004, such as Shorty's Pinball Tavern that can be traced back to 1997. While many fell by the wayside, some flourished and grew. Among those that have tried and failed, we have seen a growing crop of established chains emerging, taking hold of their target market Venues, such as Updown, with eight facilities from St Louis to Kansas City, first opened in 2012. These venues incorporate the arcade bar experience, along with some 60 retro amusement and classic pinball. These venues also offer classic console gaming, an emerging aspect of the retro arcade venue concept, seeing video game consoles feeding into the mix of entertainment, permeating their nostalgia.
Speaker 1:An international entertainment not just fixated in North America. We can chart European and UK establishment of retro gaming, the likes of NQ64 Arcade Bar, with some 12 facilities from Cardiff, birmingham and London. The first site opened in Manchester in 2019 and has come to define itself as offering high-grade cocktails and retro gaming, consumed in what they dub their neo-splattered bar Blacklight, a defining element of the themality. Venues on average comprise 45 arcade machines and a slew of pinball, along with like at the London Shoreditch site, including eight retro console bays. Strong competition is growing in the UK towards establishing a dedicated retro gaming chain operation. Other competitors include Four Quarters Arcade Bar, the self-proclaimed UK's original arcade bar, with five facilities, with a new location opened in Southwark, london. The new venue comprising a selection of 25 classic video amusement pieces and classic consoles in bookable booths supported by F&B. The first venue in the chain opened in 2017, the facilities running their amusement machines on American Quarters, a strong student vibe from the venues, supported by retro nostalgia, food and cocktails Returning to the North American market. And we have the likes of Draftcade, with a new venue just opened in Virginia Beach, virginia. The 8,000 square foot facility features 48 rotating craft beer taps, 28 large screen televisions, 100 classic arcade games and a party room, part of a soon to be five facility business that includes Omaha and Kansas City, where it first opened in 2017. These venues embracing the beer aspect, with usually 60 drafts on tap alongside over 60 arcade classics.
Speaker 1:While some sites favor the taproom style of beercade, others look to a neo-dream recreation of the classic mall arcade from the past. One of the changing brands is 16-bit bar plus arcade, started back in 2013, with a standalone location in Indianapolis with 62 games. The operation owned by Rise Brands, are situated with the 12 locations of the also-owned Pins Mechanicals Co. Social entertainment operations across the Midwest and South, with the 16-bit arcades inside or connected to these sites. Along with the classic arcade machines, the venues offer retro console gaming supporting their arcade games and booze approach. Uniquely, the sites are a BYOF bring your own food concept, welcoming patrons to have food delivered a new approach in the sector. Another operation is that of GameCoin OpRoom, consolidating their presence, now comprising four venues from San Diego to Sacramento, offering cabinets, cocktails and consoles.
Speaker 1:We see, along with establishing chains, those that are on the launchpad with four, five and six facility operations the one up arcade bar comprising four sites in their chain On average, seeing some 80 classic retro machines, 40 pinball and even skeeball, all supported by a full bar and kitchen. Their first site opened back in 2011 with their Denver location, which is still going strong. That neon dream stylistic representation of the classic mall arcade has evolved with the likes of Kung Fu Saloon, with some four facilities, first opening in Austin in 2009. The chain offers what they call a high energy vintage arcade theme, embracing the cool zeitgeist that retro arcade has inherited. Theme embracing the cool zeitgeist that retro arcade has inherited. Alongside the retro amusement sits skee-ball and ping-pong and, as is an essential, retro-themed cocktails, the one constant shared by most venues in this sphere. The KPG hospitality chain straddles the boundaries of sports bar and barcade.
Speaker 1:The obvious opportunity of embracing retro gaming has started to see the mainstream entertainment chains look to pivot to embrace the nostalgia gravy train. Established corporation CEC Entertainment recently revealed their new chain operation Chuck's Arcade 2025, witnessing the rebranding and opening of some 10 facilities, offering actual mall deployment of a reimagined arcade with retro along with modern elements and theme to appeal to Gen Zers. No two venues are alike and no pizza in sight. The 10th Chuck's Arcade opened at Brea Mall in Orange County, california, previously branded Fun Spot Arcade, a 3,600-square-foot facility, and included, along with retro classic amusement, a new Clawcade that comprises claw machines stocked with limited edition licensed merchandise prizes. Embracing the retro aesthetics. Cec has also applied the nostalgia magic to new facility projects, such as the redevelopment of Mystery Fun House Arcade Experience opened at the Westgate Resort, kissimmee, florida, in partnership with the resort owners, the 21,000 square foot facility comprising Retro Arcade based on their new Chuck's Arcade brand, along with sports simulators, neon bowling and Chuck E Cheese Fun Zone With theming created as a throwback to the venue's funhouse past. This doubling down on classic gaming nostalgia will not be the last FEC chain that will now look towards creating a retro persona for their brand.
Speaker 1:Emerging Retro Chains Away from the established chains, we have those that are making their mark and expanding their brand, growing from a 2, 3 or even 4 site chain towards laying down a wider operation, another embracing the cool retro vibe is Cobra Arcade Bar, with their two facilities in Arizona. This emerging chain radiates a vintage arcade bar aesthetic, comprising retro videos and pinball played using tokens with a live music component. We have operations such as Double Tap Beercade, comprising currently three facilities across Wisconsin and Iowa. Defining themselves as a game lover's hangout. Their average venue offers 70 retro games and pinball supported by leagues and tournaments. Beer playing a strong part of the ambience, with usually 16 beers on tap. The retro gaming also augmented with darts as the site offers a strong social mix. Newcomer Arcade 92, with their two facilities in Texas, promote a multi-generational video gaming experience, offering a free play model with $12 for an all-day entry across arcade, pinball and console units, all supported by a drinks and food menu. Operations such as Game on Bar plus Arcade have recently opened its latest venue in Washington DC, the growing three-facility operation across Baltimore and Columbia. The chain founded in 2022, promoting heavily their social credentials as the ultimate hangout spot.
Speaker 1:The assorted 20-plus amusement pieces all running on quarters the brand not to be confused with other operations such as Game On, game On Off and Game On Social Hub, underlining the crowded and confusing state of the scene and why so many have preferred to ignore its ascendance. First launched in 2015,. Freeplay is a retro arcade chain now comprising some five locations from Richmond to Dallas, striving to create the best ever arcade, featuring fantastic food and drinks Supported by a very strong community receiving many accolades. Not to be confused with Freeplay Bar Arcade, who have opened in Taunton, massachusetts, their latest gaming arcade with bar and pizza. Part of a three-facility chain. The new Taunton site comprising over 50 retro and modern amusements, pinball and a Bar opened at a site previously a pizza parlor. Their chain first opening in 2017,. They are another operation embracing the free play admission model at $12 for weekends. Again not to be confused with Free Play Arcade in Portland, uk, with their 27 classic games. Other operators include the Boxcar Bar plus Arcade, a chain representing some three sites from Raleigh to Greensboro, comprising some 40-odd vintage amusement pieces alongside a full bar with craft beers, karaoke and live music. Returning to the European sector and the Spanish chain, next Level Bar has opened in Barcelona, the 350-square-metre facility with 40 retro amusement machines as well as some modern amusement with a bar, all part of a three-facility Spanish business. The company promotes a retro vibe for their operation, mixing retro wave graffiti and cyberpunk.
Speaker 1:While returning to the UK scene and we have Pixelbar, having established three facilities in the UK, from Liverpool to Leeds. The application of retro arcade applied to a classic console gaming layout against the pure video amusement. Nostalgia defined as a video gaming bar with patrons taking booths to consume cocktails and classic console gaming at its finest consume cocktails and classic console gaming at its finest. This UK operation, not to be confused with the Pixel Bar and Cafe in Australia, barcadia, recently opening in Salisbury comprises arcade games, driving simulators, table football and air hockey, expanding the business into a two-facility operation that sees itself as being a brand new retro arcade bar with a vaporware aesthetic. There is also the Arcade Club chain that has proclaimed itself as Europe's largest free-play video arcade, with three locations in Blackpool, bury and Leeds, offering retro arcade and console entertainment, supported by food and drink since 2015.
Speaker 1:An example of the momentum being achieved in establishing a foothold in the retro arena is seen with Continue Arcades, part of a two-facility operation offering a selection of retro and modern amusement machines on an admission free-play model. The operation reached a significant milestone in establishing its franchise development plans. An example of the growth spiral, the operation has been working with leading franchising consultants Infinity Business, growth Network, the retro gaming facility brand, successfully signed a deal to open 10 franchised units in the coming months in the south of England. As we have reported previously regarding the competitive socializing landscape, it is its attractive franchise opportunities that have fueled the rise of the market and investment. Those that can gain investment and achieve momentum will flourish.
Speaker 1:This marks the halfway point of this coverage on the retro market. We will continue in the next part, concluding the subgroups, looking at the crowded waters of the new retro entrance, a wild west of new openings, all hoping to feed off the retro nostalgia and popularity of classic video gaming, focused on those venues that comprise a social hospitality element. We will also look at the importance of franchising of business to establish a growth pattern to survive in a crowded market. This following section will also touch on some vital elements that will shape or impede the future of this business sphere looking at the supply of retro hardware, the legal issues of console and more.
