Field Reporting | Geekscape

Arcade Review: Los Angeles – The One Up

by Matthew MorrellJune 21, 2016

Venturing back into Los Angeles is like willingly sliding down a water-slide without any running water; excruciatingly slow, uncomfortably hot, and often physically painful. Nevertheless, there was an Arcade that needed exploring. So, away we went…

Turning East on the 101, and exiting Woodman, you may pass by what at first glance looks like any other cocktail lounge on the Ventura Avenue. Look closely at the marquee however, you’ll see it perched above the entrance: a lone Space Invader.

If you’re smart, you’d have made this journey a little after seven in the evening where the lounge is only twenty-one and up. You may also need to make reservations ahead of time as the place can get awfully crowded. However, every inch of this space is used to the fullest.

"You have a lot more bar room if you just jam your living room into the ceiling." — “You have a lot more bar room if you just jam your living room into the ceiling.”

Artistically, The One Up exists in a space if Captain-N built built a Gypsy Den in Wonderland. Pretty to look at while sober, mildly disorienting depending on how long you’ve been at the bar.

In order of function, The One Up is decidedly a cocktail lounge that also has an arcade. That’s not necessarily a negative criticism mind you. The cocktails are excellent (try the Monkey’s Brew), with a selective wine and beer menu to match. Entrees are also expertly crafted, from the mouthwatering turkey meatballs to their unbelievably savory Hawaiian pulled pork sandwich. A refined and unique style and taste has clearly been cultivated at The One Up.

These sliders lasted about as long as I do playing Dark Souls: all of them were devoured in mere seconds.

When you first step in, you’ll be asked how many in your party or if you have a reservation. If you intend on bringing a friend, definitely phone ahead. Seating is limited, but this does allow for a relaxed, intimate and cozy atmosphere.

So why a lounge first and arcade second? If you do your homework, you’ll find well over a hundred unique games. You read that right. It’s over a hundred. Also, they’re all free to play. You could be laying some serious hurt down in Mortal Kombat 4, all night long, for free… Unless you’re best friend is secretly a Mortal Kombat savant and wrecks you.

"Oh, sorry, I totally didn't know that move would disembowel you." - A Liar — “Oh, sorry, I totally didn’t know that move would disembowel you.” – A Liar

At this point, the sheer number of free games makes The One Up certainly sound like an Arcade. And you would be right. With the house lights turned low, and bright neon pink accents illuminating the game room by all intents and purpose this place is an arcade. One can’t help but consider however that the games are in service of the overall style of the lounge, and not the main attraction.

"Pictured: zero arcade games." — “Pictured: zero arcade games.”

With a name like The One Up, it certainly suggests that this particular arcade is a cut above the rest. More games? Free games! Dress code! Every square inch of the place is tailor made to look like the coolest eighties hangout there ever was. They’re even playing The Last Starfighter (1984) on one of the flatscreens for Glob’s sake!

It does certainly depend on one’s perspective on what one needs in an arcade. If you’re looking for a comfortable lounge to take a date and enjoy pristine cocktails with a delicious entree’ or two, look no further than The One Up. If you’re looking for a place that wants to showcase as many original arcade cabinets they can cram into a room, perhaps this isn’t what you’re looking for.

It’s true that The One Up will surpass most every other lounge as the most stylish, and certainly nostalgic bar on the block. Their ability to have so many classic 8-bit games is also truly impressive. But, there’s something beyond quantity and style when a place is willing to jam dozens of refrigerator sized machines into their place to allow the games to speak for themselves.

Pictured: over 100 games in this one hallway.

When you visit The One Up, and this writer strongly urges you to do so, keep in mind that you’re getting the total package of equal parts bar, restaurant, lounge, and arcade. All things being equal though, the games aren’t any more or less than the whole; they’re part of the ensemble.

So leave the quarters at home, bring a date, and if you arm yourself with the right cocktail, get ready to have a merry night full of all the classic eighties feels.

Arcade Review: Eighty Two, LA

by Matthew MorrellJune 14, 2016

In the on going quest to hunt for the ultimate arcade, we stick closer to home with LA’s own Eighty Two Arcade and Bar. Just last week, this reviewer drove a little over 700 miles to Phoenix, which felt like a shorter drive than the one into LA. Was it worth it though? Decidedly, yes.

Nestled within the Arts District and Little Tokyo, covered in vivid and brilliant graffiti is a corner building. Graffiti-eyes covering the exterior of the building peer out at you, daring you to take a closer look. Challenge accepted.

"Creepiest staring contest, ever." — “Creepiest staring contest, ever.”

Arriving early enough, you’ll be spared waiting in line which tends to form after eight. There’s no cover fee. Plenty of security. Immediately entering the building, you’ll notice that you’re right back outside again. The design of Eighty Two makes the most of its space to give a refreshing non-claustrophobic feel to the arcade and bar scene.

Once in the serene open courtyard complete with wooden benches, tables, and plenty of greenery you may choose to head into the right wing. There you’ll find at least a dozen pinball machines ranging from classic to modern. Restrooms are also here in case you need them.

After you’ve sunk a few quarters hitting the flippers and bumpers, cross through the courtyard again and into the left wing. Take a moment to notice that nearly all of your classic cabinets are present, of which Street Fighter II Championship Edition is front and center.

If you’re gonna test your strength at Street Fighter II, bring your A-game. You’ll find that at any given time your game may be projected on the wall over the bar. A Pretty cool feature that emphasizes what Eighty Two is really about; showcasing the games. At times you may mistake the sleek minimalist design and overall cleanliness of the arcade for an interactive art installation.

It’s clear that there is a very intentional choice in design that serves not just to encourage ease of flow for the crowd between the rooms, but show off the love the owners have for the golden age of the arcade era.

"Speaking of showing off #Humblebrag — “Speaking of showing off… #HumbleBrag.”

Once you walk through the collection of Arcade favorites, you may notice that the room opens up like a ‘V’ with the bar and space near the DJ station to either sit back or dance. It’s hard not to do the later when the rotating guest DJ’s know what the hell is up. Seriously good atmosphere.

If you wander over to the bar, you’ll find a slew of custom cocktails. Among the popular drinks of the night was the Princess Peach. There’s plenty of brew on tap as well, along with bottles and cans if you want to keep it simple. Hungry? There’s a separate outside area behind the courtyard where the food truck, or BBQ pit will be set up after 7:00 PM-ish.

Overall, it’s an impressive space. A spacious space. It was refreshing to be among a lively crowd and never get the sensation of being too crowded. Among the best features of Eighty Two, it has to be the openness that the combination of in-and-outdoors does to maintain a comfortable and entertaining environment: you forget that you’re in a bar or an arcade. It’s just another night at your friend’s home who has all the games you love, the music to mash buttons to, and drinks to keep you refreshed in between rounds of clobbering Magneto or blasting Space Invaders.

Other than the obligatory hassle of wading through Southern California traffic, the journey is certainly worth the reward to visit an unquestionably cool arcade.

Arcade Review: Cobra Arcade and Bar

by Matthew MorrellJune 5, 2016

American Arcades are Reborn!

If anyone’s ever had that moment while being harassed by some troll online in the comfort in their own home and said to themselves, “Where the hell are all the adults who play video games?”

Cobra Arcade and Bar in downtown Phoenix, Arizona is that place.

To verify this claim, this field reporter spent his Saturday trekking over 700 miles into hell’s front porch, Phoenix, Arizona. Temperatures reached a soul crushing 114 degrees. Expectations for whether or not this little pub was worth it began to climb.

Located just a stone’s throw away from the Phoenix Convention Center, this bar immediately exceeded those expectations. It is exactly what you’ve been looking for: a haven for gamers who grew up in the classic arcade era. Of course, if you’re at least over twenty-one they’ll let you in regardless of your recollection of the eighties and nineties. That being said, the nostalgia factor is strong in this most beautiful of bars.

She's not looking down on you, she's wondering, "What took you so damn long to come home?" — She’s not looking down on you, she’s wondering, “What took you so damn long to come home?”

Beautiful is by no means an over exaggeration (Nor was this field reporter paid to be this flowery). Even before you enter, a gorgeous black and white mural, wooden patio deck, and the delicious scent of the food-truck-of-the-week welcomes you in. Your senses aren’t lying, you’re home now.

Inside, situated underneath what looks like the engines of the Rebel Blockade Runner from Star Wars, you’ll find bartenders frantically running orders. Two huge flat-screens will play whatever happens to suit the night best; Heavy Metal, Planet of the Apes ‘68… you name it. Crammed in the corner is a live DJ spinning a perfect mix of eclectic, and kinetic tracks to mash buttons to.

Even on the busiest of nights (Saturday post Arizona Comic-Con), everyone is greeted, served, and given the time of day by friendly staff. Their in house cocktails are second to none (try an Invader). Or if you want a plain brew, they’ve got plenty to choose from along with a rotating list of ciders and beers. Take your pick from a respectable wine list too. Or, if you just really need the caffeine, Cobra’s got you covered.

What Cobra real boils down to however is that it’s far beyond a bar that just happens to have arcade games. It is without question equal parts bar as it is arcade. Among the handful of people this writer spoke with, the only criticism that could be given was a lack of racing games, and only one shooter to speak of (None other than the OG CarnEvile). But, that’s hardly a factor if you’re busy sinking quarters into TMNT: Turtles in Time, The Simpsons, or an intense two on two game of NBA Freaking Jam.

They even had Space Harrier. You heard me. Space. Harrier.

Well worth the loss of many a quarter #humblebrag

Seriously, feast your eyes upon the official list here and tell me, are you not entertained?

What was even better than the astounding selection of games, was once again, Cobra cares about their cabinets and the gamers who use them. From open to close while present, this report found NONE of the games Out of Order. None of them. Street Fighter II had a weird joystick issue going on at one point. Within mere moments, an In-House Tech had surgically opened the cabinet, healed it back to good, and players were kicking ass until last call. When the token machine ran out of tokens, a heartbeat had passed before it was refilled again.

So if you’re asking yourself, is it worth to escape the comfort of the ole’ homestead console or PC and venture outside? Deep down in your heart of hearts, you’re craving a friendly environment, delicious drinks, and an expertly curated collection of game cabinets. Cobra Arcade and Bar is the second home you’ve be searching for.

Cash in a sick day or two.

Go there now.

Matthew B. Morrell