Pixel Bar & Cafe

Did your parents ever tell you to stop playing video games and go out and socialise? Well, it seems all those hours in front of a screen were not wasted after all. Pixel Bar lets you put those gaming skills to good use with your mates — with a beer in hand. The venue, located on North Road in Huntingdale, is a wonderland for anyone with a competitive streak.

A cornucopia of old-school board and card games are on-hand as well as PCs and a selection of consoles connected to a projector screen. Booze, coffee, milkshakes and jaffles will keep you fuelled for your (pixellated) fight to the death.

Pixel also hosts regular trivia nights and game tournaments — covering everything from Super Mario Smash Brothers to Dungeons and Dragons. Its proximity to Monash University means there is a constant presence of procrastinating students, but the doors are open for gamers from all walks of life. No wasted youth here, Mum and Dad.