If you’re a fellow nerd like myself then you’re always looking for a place to be surrounded by the things you love: video games. I’m about show you around the best spots in Orlando to have a drink and nerd out.
Joysticks – Arcade Lounge & Retro Bar
Get in your DeLorean, fire up your flux capacitor and get ready to travel back to the ’80s. Joysticks really paid attention to every detail. The atmosphere is an arcade nerd’s wet dream. They have everything from vintage classic arcades like Donkey Kong and Pac-Man to the newer, state-of-the-art games that challenge even the best gamers. The drink menu isn’t bad either. My personal favorite is the Weird Science Drink, which is a mix of Jack Daniel’s, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey and Midori melon that is combined with ginger beer to make an invention that’s as tasty as it is beautiful. Oh, and did I mention it’s served in a science beaker with dry ice that makes it look like it’s straight out of a mad scientist’s lab?
Player 1 – GAMES. BEERS. MUSIC.
Playing online has its drawbacks. Nothing beats playing against opponents sitting across the room. Also, it doesn’t hurt if you can have some of the best craft beers available while doing just that. Player 1 seems to like its beer just as much as its video games. The large selection of craft beers will ensure no one in your guild goes home thirsty.
Player 1’s slogan is, “We’ve got what a gamer needs.” And they’re right. Here is a quick overview of some of the consoles (I hope you’re ready for this one!):
Atari 2600/5200, Colecovision, NES, Sega Genesis, SNES, Nintendo64, Sega Saturn, Playstation 1, Sega Dreamcast, PS2, PS3, X360, and PC.
This means that whether you want to relive your childhood by beating up your little brother in a game of Super Smash Brothers or fire off a few rounds in the newest Call of Duty, you’ll get what you want. Get ready to earn some new IRL achievements!
The Cloak & Blaster – A Gaming Pub for Geeks
Looking for more relaxed, geeky fun? If so, then The Cloak & Blaster is the bar for you and your party. Forget the stress of cleaning your house for company or deciding whose turn it is to host game night. This gaming pub for geeks has a huge selection of tabletop & board games. Browse the game library at no charge! Have a game you love? Bring it in! As a gaming pub, The Cloak & Blaster encourages and supports all types of games.
The bar’s Player’s Handbook (or the food menu) is full of nerdy tavern classics. From non-alcoholic potions to elixirs that will give you all the liquid courage you need to talk to the fair maiden across the room, The Cloak & Blaster will help you take your nerdiness to the next level.
I believe that being a nerd or geek is something to be proud of. So why hide it?
Go check out some local & national tournaments to really geek out. The Call of Duty World Championship is coming to Orlando on August 9th – 13th, 2017. Read more about it HERE.