Beer and Video Games: Grown-up Arcade Coming to Arts District

A new lounge opening in the NoHo Arts District looks to give its patrons the experience of playing Pac-Man while enjoying a pint of craft beer.

Located at 5249 Lankershim Blvd., NoHo Barcade will feature 20 rotating craft brew taps, bottled beer and have in place up to about 15 classic arcade machines.

"It's a classic arcade with a modern twist," said Mike Le, managing partner. "It's going to be a place where people can the kid inside themselves, but still be an adult."

No actual kids would be allowed inside, however, as NoHo Barcade will strictly be a 21-and-over spot, he said. At least one security guard will be on site when the lounge opens to enforce that rule as well as for safety, Le said.

Food won't be served either, but Le said he's open to having neighboring restaurants sell their own dishes to NoHo Barcade customers.

The line-up of arcade games has yet to be finalized, but at least eight standing gaming machines, two to four pinball machines and the table top versions of Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man are part of the plan, he said.

The 18,000-square-foot space for the new venue is across the street from the and two doors down from

Remodeling is in progress, while the city still needs to conduct its final inspections before giving allowing NoHo Barcade to open for business, Le said.

The state's Department of Alcohol Beverage Control decision on granting a beer and wine license would soon follow, he added.

Le said he expects NoHo Barcade to be up and running by the end of the year or early 2013.

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