Barcade
Barcade is a chain of arcade bars with locations in the northeastern United States, Los Angeles, and Detroit. First opened in Brooklyn in 2004, the venues feature a mix of classic video games and pinball and serve American craft beers.
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![]() Barcade in Brooklyn | |
Industry | Bar, restaurant, and classic arcade games |
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Founded | 2004 in Brooklyn, NY |
Headquarters | |
Website | www |
History
The first Barcade opened in 2004[1] in a former metal shop at 388 Union Avenue in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, and features a combination of vintage arcade games and American craft beers.[2] The company is owned and operated by four long-time friends: brothers Kevin Beard and Scott Beard, Pete Langway and Paul Kermizian (director of American Beer).[3]
The combination of classic video games and craft beer proved successful, and the brand expanded into Jersey City, New Jersey,[4] and the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[5] Barcade later opened two locations in Manhattan, including a location in St. Mark's Place.[6] Over the next two years, locations opened in New Haven, Connecticut[7] and Newark, New Jersey.[8] In the summer of 2017 plans were announced for two new locations that would expand the company to Detroit, Michigan[9] and Los Angeles, California.[10]The Los Angeles location opened in May 2019.[11]
Barcade registered its name as a federal trademark in 2007, and has successfully defended it in court,[12][13] while also becoming well known for aggressively pursuing any infringements on the mark.[14]
Awards
- In 2008, Barcade was named one of the best bars in America by Esquire magazine.[3]
Notable patrons
- A number of world record holders for classic games frequent the Brooklyn Barcade location, including Hank Chien, who set the world record in Donkey Kong with a score of 1,061,700 in March 2010.[15]
- George Leutz set the world record on Q*bert in February 2013 with a score of 37,163,080 after spending years practicing on the machine in Brooklyn's Barcade.[16]
- Joshua Lombay set the world record for the 1984 Midway game Timber in June 2013 with a score of 9,767,550 after having discovered the game and playing for the first time at Barcade in Brooklyn.[17]
References
- Simon Parkin. "Drink and Revive: The rise of Barcade". Polygon. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
- "Dining Briefs".
- "Best Bars in America 2008". Esquire. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
- "For Arcades, Survival Hinges on Alcohol". WSJ. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
- "Building a Retro Nightlife Empire [Video] - Inc.com". Inc.com. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
- Owen S. Good. "Nostalgic video game bar adding two more locations". Polygon. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
- "Barcade Brings Retro Arcade Games, Craft Beer To New Haven".
- "Barcade Planning to Open in Newark".
- "'Up North'-Themed Restaurant and Barcade Drop Anchor on Selden Street".
- "Barcade Is Opening in L.A., and Our Joystick Thumbs Are Trembling".
- "'Barcade Opens in L.A." Replay Magazine. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
- "Barcade Solicits New Name After Cease and Desist". Washington City Paper. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
- "Tennent's Rebrands Campaign After US Firm Claims Trademark Infringement". PR Week.
- "Why You Can't Call It a Barcade". Eater. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- "N.Y. surgeon sets world record at Donkey Kong - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
- "The Kings of Q*bert" Archived March 21, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- "Joshua Lombay: Timber World Record Falls" Archived July 4, 2013, at the Wayback Machine