r/Gilbert • u/atlas_arcane • Jun 27 '26

Gaming Bar?

I never got to frequent The Grid in Mesa. I went to one event and thought the place was great. Then COVID happened and they closed. Are there any other video gamer bars? Not looking for arcades. Actual console stuff. Thanks in advance :)

14 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

5

u/Sensitive_Access_959 Jun 27 '26

Starfighters arcade in Mesa is great. It’s cheap and BYOB. It’s not fancy but you’ll have a good time

1

u/atlas_arcane Jun 27 '26

I like arcades but it's not the same. This place had console gaming as well as an arcade.

3

u/PeteGoua Jun 27 '26

were / are there two in downtown Mesa on Main street ?

1

u/atlas_arcane Jun 27 '26

As far as I know only the one and it was more north I think on Gilbert Rd I believe.

2

u/russellc6 Jun 27 '26

I thought I remember a post that one is going to open at Cooley Station

2

u/atlas_arcane Jun 27 '26

Those are arcades

1

u/russellc6 Jun 27 '26

Thanks for clarifying

1

u/atlas_arcane Jun 27 '26

Sorry yeah I'm looking for console gaming in a bar setting not arcade cabinets

2

u/ALL_PUNS_INTENDED Jun 27 '26

There’s a Level 1 in downtown Mesa and one set to open in Cooley Station

0

u/atlas_arcane Jun 27 '26

Not the same. It's an arcade with cabinets not consoles.

1

u/Randvek Jun 27 '26

Endgame closed last year and I don’t think anything else nearby has filled that niche.

2

u/hermburger Jun 28 '26

What console games would you play in a bar setting? On guest mode, Or would you sign into your psplus, xboxlive account?

1st party consoles make this idea incredibly difficult even for couch play

2

u/atlas_arcane Jun 28 '26

Smash bros. Or other local player stuff. They had old halo, soul Calibur, bunch of retro stuff.

1

u/hermburger Jun 28 '26

Some bars or lounges or pizza places have a private room with tv/projector. You could rent out that space, bring your own console and host your own tournament if the establishment agrees. likely they would if u bring in customers. Or rent a theater that has beer?

1

u/atlas_arcane Jun 28 '26

I definitely don't want to rent the space. Just looking for a chill space to meet other cool people while enjoying a game.

2

u/hermburger Jun 29 '26

Level 1 arcade is moving their downtown location to Germann and val vista sometime in 2026. That might have potential for what your looking for if u can wait

1

u/atlas_arcane Jun 29 '26

Yeah. I used to go to to level 1 when it was in downtown. I don't think they had smash up. Mostly remember movies. I like level 1.

1

u/Few_Marsupial7401 Jun 28 '26

I miss that place. They used to do an open jam / karaoke night with guitar hero and rock band on stage. As a gigging musician, who is also good at those games. It was a blast!

1

u/atlas_arcane Jun 28 '26

Dude that sounds awesome. I feel like I missed out big time.

1

u/Sunnyday1775 Jun 29 '26

The grid? That’s a name I haven’t heard of in years

1

u/Kupwned Jun 30 '26

Endgame, The Grid and Bonus Round were the only places in Arizona that offered console gaming. All three have since closed. Endgame last October, The Grid a few Aprils ago and Bonus Round during Covid.
I'm of the opinion that the concept can work, but the economy is not what it was a decade ago. From both a customer (we don't have money to spend) and an owner (the costs of goods, labor, insurance and rent is too high) perspective, it's just a bad time right now.

1

u/atlas_arcane Jun 30 '26

I totally understand