Overview
First, it was bowling bars. Then, it was a boozy mini-golf establishment set up in a former church. Now, playing arcade games and guzzling a few pints is on the agenda at Brisbane's latest watering hole. We know, we know — plenty of pubs have pinball machines (Morningside's Death Valley even has a Ghostbusters one), but this one is taking the concept to the next level.
That's obviously Netherworld's aim, as we first reported back in October — and with a name like that, the Fortitude Valley joint clearly wants you to lurk in a dark space and forget all about life outside. It's due to open on January 7 in the spot on the corner of Brunswick Street and St Paul's Terrace, aka that place that everything from the Shamrock to the Step Inn has called home over the years.
Get your button-mashing fingers ready, because Netherworld will unleash almost 40 vintage arcade and pinball machines, 100 board games, and a selection of classic consoles upon Brissie's eager game players, with titles ranging from the '70s till present day. Expect all the games you know and love, plus plenty of surprises, including Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Twilight Zone, Daytona, Galaga and Space Invaders. And if that's not exciting enough for you, the video game theme-playing five-piece band that is Boss Fight will be play an appropriate set from 8pm on opening night to get things started.
Forget Timezone (RIP, by the way) — this is the kind of place your teenaged self dreamt about. And forget Mana Bar too, which tried the same feat but didn't stand the test of time. With the folks behind Milton's favourite dive bar The Scratch at the helm, this one should be a keeper.
Plus, Netherworld isn't just an arcade and a bar — it's also a diner. Players gotta eat, of course. Because spending your time trying to be the next king of Donkey Kong in a place filled with gaming relics from decades gone by is enough to make you work up an appetite, the delightfully named Hellmouth Diner will feature foods and flavours from American and Japanese cuisine, while drinks-wise prepare to knock back draft beer, cider, housemade soda, boozy 'loaded soda', wine, spirits and cocktails.
Find Netherworld at 186 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley from January 7. Check out their website, Facebook page and Instagram for more info.