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The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
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New Barcade Outpost to Serve Pub Grub With Classic Video Games

By Mathew Katz | January 10, 2013 7:43am

CHELSEA — That's one way to get a power boost.

Barcade — the popular combination bar and arcade with locations in Williamsburg, Jersey City and Philadelphia — will serve food out of a full kitchen at its upcoming Chelsea location at 148 W. 24th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues, its owners revealed.

The gamer bar's new spot got an enthusiastic thumbs-up from members of Community Board 4's Business Permits and Licenses Committee when it reviewed its application for a liquor license on Tuesday night. The player-pub combines classic arcade games like "Donkey Kong," "Galaga" and "Gauntlet" — each only a quarter to play — with plenty of craft beer on tap.

The owners hope to open the roughly 3,500-square-foot spot by June or July. Unlike the original Brooklyn location, which only serves snacks like chips and jerky, the Manhattan outpost will offer customers sandwiches, burgers and more.

But don't expect Donkey Kong banana splits or Super Mario mushroom pizza anytime soon.

"There won't be video game-themed food. We don't do anything like that," co-owner Paul Kermizian told DNAinfo.com New York. "We're aiming to have nice pub food."

The forthcoming location will hold about 150 people, nearly twice as many as its original location, which opened in Williamsburg in 2004. 

The new address, a former discount store, will require an extensive overhaul, and the owners plan to build an entire kitchen there from scratch.

Paul Seres, co-chairman of the CB4 committee, was particularly happy about Barcade coming to the neighborhood.

"It's such a good idea," he said. "I'm excited. I love Barcade."