Arcade Review – Start Bar STL
Continuing our pursuit after the strong resurgence in arcade culture, we at Geekscape are proud to travel nationwide in support of our fellow gamers. Such is the case with Start Bar, in downtown Saint Louis, Missouri. This bar ties together the focal point of gaming culture: community. We’ll show exactly how this glorious new arcade and bar does exactly that…
THE PRESENTATION
Saint Louis has been in the headlines recently, painted as a city divided. Despite the truth to that statement, those who live and breathe in STL are still a people who value community. They value coming together over a Cardinal’s game. They come together over a cold glass of beer on an ungodly humid afternoon. They are together when it comes to a shared desire to cut through the everyday bullshit of life and seek relief. Among the historic brick buildings encompassing Busch Stadium, the answer to that relief can be found within Start Bar.
Just a few blocks south of Spruce Street is where the after party is. Start Bar is nestled in a brand spanking new corner of one of the many brick buildings on your way back from a Cardinals game. Much like a TARDIS, the bar appears ordinary on the outside. Still, the glow of the neon lights and thumping bass beckon you to enter.
We suggest you do.
Much like a new companion to The Doctor, your reaction is the same, “It’s much bigger on the inside,” you gasp. To your left, a bar that spans from the front of the building nearly all the way to the back. To your right, rows and rows of your favorite standup cabinets from ‘82 to today. Above you are huge vaulted ceilings barely able to contain the live music blasting from the DJ’s turntables, and shouting from the loft ahead.
The interior sports a clean club vibe. Plenty of space to breathe and tables to order a drink and food. You won’t wait long for one of the many friendly staffers to take your order or simply show you around the floor. Despite the drama, the tensions, the labors of everyday life, Start Bar sends a clear message to all who enter; you’re among friends.
THE GAMES
Having been around in the Arcade Scene, we try to be objective; not measuring the quality of an arcade by the quantity of games. Let’s be honest, there’s really only the one rule when it comes to gamers and games.
Keeping with the theme of community, Start Bar has done more than load their space with more than a dozen of your favorites. They did do that, but they also went one step beyond. There is clearly deliberate move to curate their space with games that would encourage a dedicated gathering of locals to return. Their loft space with couches surrounding three console gaming stations is certainly a step in that direction. However, one game in particular caught our eye.
Having first debuted back in 2013, the movement around Killer Queen is gaining tremendous momentum. Twitch streams, leagues, local tournaments, this is the game that will solidify the modern Arcade Movement. It looks like a classic from the 8-Bit era. An amalgam of Joust, Mario Brothers, and a sliver of Command and Conquer, Killer Queen is an impressive five Vs. five strategic mad house.
So far, Killer Queen is only found in a handful of Arcades. It is in our humble opinion that you and at least nine of your friends play it immediately. Sure, you could play two on two, but what the good folks at Start Bar realized is that coming together as a group, a team, a community brings about an invaluable gaming experience.
THE EXTRAS
We haven’t even gotten to the drinks! The food! Sweet Christmas does this place have drinks and food. Their in house chef has cooked up a slew of snacks, and most importantly mouth watering pizza that must be shared with friends to believe a taste that good could be real.
Given the length and breadth of the bar, it goes without saying that the drink selection is just as vast. This reviewer found that most drinks were poured with a liberal amount of alcohol compared to whatever they were mixed with. Not necessarily a complaint. Just a fair warning. Depending on how much of a dedicated gamer you are, you may want to keep this in mind and pace yourself.
Tuesdays and Thursdays nights (subject to change?) live music will be spun and played loudly. We had the pleasure of jamming to some deep NWA cuts from Dan Sexauer from Music Record Shop; another local STL shop worth a visit.
We also fell in love with what could only be described as the Gamer Hall of Fame Gentleman’s Formal Sitting Room complete with; plush couches, crackling fireplace, and Bowser’s head mounted on the wall.
There is also an ongoing sign up for a Killer Queen league. If you’re in the area we suggest you get on that list. If you’re debating whether or not to relocate to the greater St. Louis area, consider putting this in the top of your “Pro” column.
THE VERDICT
If you ever wondered what else besides the Gateway Arch would make a trip to Missouri worthwhile, The Start Bar is the answer. This arcade and bar is faithfully among the movement to celebrate gaming culture, and cultivate a community of gamers to come together and celebrate each other.
*Photo credit – Sara McLaren
**Thank you – Stephen Savage
