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March
29
29
Ohio-Based 16-Bit Bar + Arcade is a Dream Destination for Any Kid at Heart
Fun and silliness don't have to end after childhood — and 16-Bit proves that 100 times over. The bar, currently located in Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati, caters to all children at heart, gamers and science fiction fanatics with its immersive arcade experience. It goes above and beyond your typical themed bar, inviting locals and visitors alike to escape into a new world.
Every weekend, the team celebrates something different in pop culture, whether it's something special that happened historically on a certain day or something happening currently, and molds the entire bar around that event. For instance, on Winona Ryder's birthday, the bar whips up Winona-themed drinks and throws up fun decorations. And on Star Trek nights, you might overhear a conversation or two in Klingon. Every time you step into 16-Bit, you are truly experiencing something new — and usually out of this world.
We spoke to Bob Berley and Kim Miller, who help manage the 16-Bit brand, to learn more about the history behind 16-Bit and the quirky, creative process that makes it so special.
Troy Allen, an Ohio native and the owner and founder of 16-Bit, started pursuing this idea back in 2013 after encountering several arcades-bars in his travels. He decided that it was high time Columbus had an experience like this of its own. The bar was born under the banner of Rise Brands — the same company behind Pins Mechanical.
Columbus was the first location to open, but the reception was so warm, the bar quickly expanded. "The reaction was extremely positive from all sorts of people," said Kim Miller, marketing director of Rise Brands. "We had incredible reactions from corporate people, from folks who had recently turned 21 and were looking for the next coolest bar, and from people who love to geek out over games. We did a lot better than we thought we would and that is what made it possible to open the next two locations so soon, as well as the Pins Mechanical concept."
Troy is still very involved in 16-Bit, constantly coming up with new, wacky ideas for the brand.
Anyone who has stepped into 16-Bit at least once knows that it is not your typical bar experience, but what makes it special isn't the high quality cocktails, craft beer or modern space (although, those things certainly don't hurt). It's really about the dedication of the staff and the clientele.
"It's hard to categorize us by ethnicity or age," said Bob Berley, brand manager for 16-Bit. "We run the entire gamut of 21 to 60 year olds, but they are all kids at heart. We really appeal to those who enjoy the gaming experience."
"Even IF you're not into the gaming world, you can still go in and enjoy the vibe, people watch and interact with the community," added Kim. "It's a great place to be fully engaged."
On any given Saturday, each location welcomes an average of 500 to 600 people throughout the evening, all of whom are blown away by the dedication of the staff to create such a unique experience. 16-Bit doesn't hire its staff members based on bartending experience alone, but based on the candidates' passion for games and fun. They all work together to think up theme nights and ideas, often literally throwing a ton of pop culture ideas into a hat and just picking one (or a few) at random to execute.
One product of this process was the recent Mario Kart event. "For our three-year anniversary, we actually purchased our own full-sized adult pedal carts and had them painted to look exactly like Mario Karts," said Bob. "We did chalk outlines for rainbow road and did time trials and all that. It's definitely one of the more absurd things we've done as of late."
Of course, even when there isn't an event going on, there is plenty to do. Each location is outfitted with around 50 traditional and new arcade games, and the selection is always changing (you can find a current list on the 16-Bit website). The staff also equips each location with RetroPi, retrofitted consoles that allow guests to play hundreds of older games that look and feel just like the originals. People come back in week after week to challenge each other and beat their own high scores — it's all part of the magic.
Every weekend, the team celebrates something different in pop culture, whether it's something special that happened historically on a certain day or something happening currently, and molds the entire bar around that event. For instance, on Winona Ryder's birthday, the bar whips up Winona-themed drinks and throws up fun decorations. And on Star Trek nights, you might overhear a conversation or two in Klingon. Every time you step into 16-Bit, you are truly experiencing something new — and usually out of this world.
We spoke to Bob Berley and Kim Miller, who help manage the 16-Bit brand, to learn more about the history behind 16-Bit and the quirky, creative process that makes it so special.
The History
Troy Allen, an Ohio native and the owner and founder of 16-Bit, started pursuing this idea back in 2013 after encountering several arcades-bars in his travels. He decided that it was high time Columbus had an experience like this of its own. The bar was born under the banner of Rise Brands — the same company behind Pins Mechanical.
Columbus was the first location to open, but the reception was so warm, the bar quickly expanded. "The reaction was extremely positive from all sorts of people," said Kim Miller, marketing director of Rise Brands. "We had incredible reactions from corporate people, from folks who had recently turned 21 and were looking for the next coolest bar, and from people who love to geek out over games. We did a lot better than we thought we would and that is what made it possible to open the next two locations so soon, as well as the Pins Mechanical concept."
Troy is still very involved in 16-Bit, constantly coming up with new, wacky ideas for the brand.
The Creativity
Anyone who has stepped into 16-Bit at least once knows that it is not your typical bar experience, but what makes it special isn't the high quality cocktails, craft beer or modern space (although, those things certainly don't hurt). It's really about the dedication of the staff and the clientele.
"It's hard to categorize us by ethnicity or age," said Bob Berley, brand manager for 16-Bit. "We run the entire gamut of 21 to 60 year olds, but they are all kids at heart. We really appeal to those who enjoy the gaming experience."
"Even IF you're not into the gaming world, you can still go in and enjoy the vibe, people watch and interact with the community," added Kim. "It's a great place to be fully engaged."
On any given Saturday, each location welcomes an average of 500 to 600 people throughout the evening, all of whom are blown away by the dedication of the staff to create such a unique experience. 16-Bit doesn't hire its staff members based on bartending experience alone, but based on the candidates' passion for games and fun. They all work together to think up theme nights and ideas, often literally throwing a ton of pop culture ideas into a hat and just picking one (or a few) at random to execute.
One product of this process was the recent Mario Kart event. "For our three-year anniversary, we actually purchased our own full-sized adult pedal carts and had them painted to look exactly like Mario Karts," said Bob. "We did chalk outlines for rainbow road and did time trials and all that. It's definitely one of the more absurd things we've done as of late."
Of course, even when there isn't an event going on, there is plenty to do. Each location is outfitted with around 50 traditional and new arcade games, and the selection is always changing (you can find a current list on the 16-Bit website). The staff also equips each location with RetroPi, retrofitted consoles that allow guests to play hundreds of older games that look and feel just like the originals. People come back in week after week to challenge each other and beat their own high scores — it's all part of the magic.
What's New at 16-Bit?
There's always something new at 16-Bit! Make sure to check the calendar at your location for upcoming events and start planning your costume for the grand cosplay Halloween contest (last year, the prize was an original refurbished 80s bike from Stranger Things, so there's a lot on the line). And be on the lookout for two new locations opening in Indianapolis and Nashville later this year!
All photos courtesy of 16-Bit Bar + Arcade
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