A NEW video game cafe has opened in Frome and is open every day for people to play on a wide range of retro consoles and tabletop games.
Extra Life Video Game Bar is up and running at 46 Vallis Way and is already proving popular with local gamers.
The cafe was opened by Donald Gwilym, who has lived in Frome all his life and this year took the plunge and turned his dream into a reality.
Donald said, “I’ve always been into video games and this idea started off as a bit of a joke, but then I realised I could actually do it. Cafes like this are a very big thing in America, but there aren’t many in England yet.
“I’m hoping it will be popular – gamers are some of the nicest people in the world and this will be the ideal place for them to play games and hang out together.”
The Extra Life Video Game Bar has a range of games available and sells snacks and soft drinks.
There are Pacman and Space Raiders arcade games, as well as consoles including a Wii U, NES, PlayStation 4, Super Nintendo, SEGA Saturn, SEGA Megadrive and a Nintendo 64. There are also tabletop games including Dead of Winter, Magic: the Gathering, and Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures.
Card game clubs are being set up at the cafe and welcome new members to their regular meetings; games so far include Magic: the Gathering, Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Dungeons and Dragons.
Donald says, “The board games and tabletop are the most popular by far at the moment. People can play for £5 a table, or we’ll be having ‘Geek Out Sundays’ when it’ll only be £3.
“Anyone can come in to the cafe and play the games as long as they buy a drink or something to eat. I’m excited about getting the cafe going and will be holding special gaming events and tournaments here as well. It’s a big gamble for me starting up the business but if I can do it, anybody can!”
Extra Life Video Game Bar is at 46 Vallis Way and is open seven days a week from 1pm to 10pm on weekdays (8pm close on Tuesday); 10am – 7pm on Saturdays; and 10am to 6pm on Sundays. Find out more on the Facebook page ‘Extra Life Video Game Bar L T’.
