Arcade-bars are not just a US phenomenon. One has just opened in Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan, named Tokyo Video Gamers.
The venue has been licensed by several of Japan’s video game companies.
Akihabara is an entertainment area of the city, also known locally as Electric Town and features many arcades, the most notable of which, a Sega location, recently closed. Tokyo Video Gamers offers a restaurant as well as a bar and the games are free to play.
Video Gamers serves drinks in glasses and on coasters themed after retro games, says Japan Forward and anyone ordering drinks can keep their coasters as souvenirs.
It has been officially approved by some of the biggest names in the business, including Sega and SNK.
Unlike many other arcade-bars, Tokyo Video Gamers has not installed retro games but offers them on large monitors. It also has a merchandise shop where players can buy character goods.
