GRUB | Mana Bar Video Game Cocktail Bar
Melbourne’s videogame themed bar puts gaming first.
Had a chance to check out Mana Bar Video Game Cocktail Bar during after hours of PAX Aus 2013.
Located along Brunswick in the Fitzroy area, one of Melbourne’s many busy nightlife spots, Mana Bar is like walking into the gamer cave you’ve always wanted. You’ll immediately notice that videogames are front and center. No bullshit. Grab a drink, join a game of Mario Kart, Smash Bros., Guitar Hero, or FIFA.
It’s a dimly lit establishment, only by the glow of the videogames playing on wall mounted screens, a bar stocked with a variety of beers, and unique cocktails like ‘Orcarina of Lime’, ‘The Animus’ and ‘Mana Potion’ . The venue may seem pretty small up front, but as you make your way to the back of the house, there are more arcade machines, and a courtyard, featuring some awesome Pokemon graffiti art. Great during the summer, but in the winter you’d want to stick indoors.
Mana Bar Skill Tree
Prices for drinks range from $9.50 – $16. In the spirit of gaming theme, the Mana Bar cocktails are part of a Skill Tree and if you’re up to the challenge, with enough cash to spend, your level of drunkenness would be an achievement. Not exactly your cheap Pabst hipster dive.
The vibe is definitely for gamers, no fancy lounge furniture, no pretentious interior design. It’s like hanging out at your college buddies house party. A night out in Australia might seem a little steep to the out-of-towner, but Mana Bar is an experience worth doing.
Console gaming on wall mounted screens.
The idea for Mana Bar was originally created by Guy “Yug” Blomberg, Pras Moorthy, Ben “Yahtzee” Croshaw, and Shay Leighton. The first Mana Bar opened in Brisbane, and has since expanded to Melbourne with plans to bring the gaming bar to the United States.
Mana Bar is located at:
336 Brunswick St Fitzroy VIC 3065, AustraliaOriginal Brisbane location:
420 Brunswick St Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, Australia
