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For the past three months, Stow native Troy Allen and his team have been hard at work converting the old Five Guys spot on Detroit (15012 Detroit Ave., 216-563-1115, 16-bitbar.com) into an adult-themed wonderland. And according to Allen, the 4,000-square-foot space came out better than he (and we) could have hoped for.

“We’re really happy with it,” says Allen, who also owns the Columbus-based brand strategy firm Elevate. “We wanted to take everything that was great about Columbus and kick it up a notch in Cleveland — and we’ve definitely done that.”

The Columbus location, coincidentally enough, opened one year ago today. It was voted Best New Bar in Columbus last year by the readers of Columbus Underground and it continues to be a top destination for fans of old-school arcade games and pinball. It does so thanks to its attractive, comfortable and contemporary setting.

“People are always shocked when they walk into our Columbus spot because it’s nicer than they expect,” Allen says. “It’s not dimly lit with that arcade-style neon carpet. And while Columbus is our baby, we’ve made Cleveland even nicer in terms of materials and finishes. We’re really proud of it.”

Allen says that he’s also made the layout more user friendly. There’s more room to move about, a bigger bar, and a sweet street-side covered patio on Detroit that can accommodate 35 people.

There are 40 games — 35 arcade and five pinball. All the games are original, in phenomenal condition, and set to free play (except pinball, which are more expensive to maintain, says Allen). Games are swapped in and out based on customer demand.

16-Bit serves no food but welcomes guests to bring in or order in (hint: Melt is two blocks away). The bar has 24 craft beers on tap plus canned beer and cocktails.

Check it out for yourself when it opens to the public today, August 29, at 4 p.m.

Next up for Allen and 16-Bit is Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, which is slated to open Q1 2015.

This article appears in Aug 27 – Sep 2, 2014.

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.

30 replies on “16-Bit Bar + Arcade Opens Today in Lakewood”

  3. They should open one in Akron! The young adults there are really building a nifty scene. Every time I go back there, I notice something else interesting and I like what I see. Perhaps in the East market/main street/high street area near the art museum?

  4. how annoying is it that people already want freaking kids there? The point is for adults to be able to enjoy it with out kids! Take your kids to a regular arcade for the love of God!

  5. “Take your kids to a regular arcade”

    And which regular arcade would that be? If you can point me to one with arcade games that isn’t Dave and Busters or Chuck E Cheese that’d be great, because I don’t know of any that exist anymore. Even the Malls and Bowling Alleys don’t actually have much if anything.

  6. It’s 21+ only, point being it’s not meant to be a place for kids to be babysat or to loiter around. D&B allows kids you can go there.

  7. And what the heck is wrong with it being family friendly during the day and 21+ after, say, 7 or 8 pm?

  8. Kids sucks and are annoying. We are trying to get our drink on and play Mortal Combat, leave the rug rats at home.

  11. I guess some of the readers didn’t read the business name- it is 16 Bit Bar and Arcade. Bar + No Food = NO KIDS!

  13. Nice that a place like this now exists in Cleveland. Heard about it from my cousin who lives in C-Bus. Oh and major ditto on leaving the brats at home. They probably wouldn’t like these games anyway. They’d probably complain about the graphics or being too hard…lol 😉

  14. If I were the owner, I would want as much business as possible while still keeping everyone happy. That would mean all ages during the day accompanied by an adult and strictly an adult bar at night. $$$

  15. I think this is great! There are other bars in Lakewood that do not offer food either, but welcome you to bring in your own. This should help neighboring business’s that you will be ordering from. I don’t think kids should be at this bar. Good condition machines won’t stay in good condition. No arcades around for kids? Maybe you should open one…But anyway, I think this is a wonderful addition to the improving Lakewood scene. I definitely will be visiting soon!

  17. Best thing about 16-bit -vs- an arcade back in the 80’s? The machines at 16-bit will not have cigarette burns all over the control panels!!

  18. This isnt meant for kids. Old school games and alcohol. Don’t need kids there running around and getting in the way. Let them play XBox at home.

  20. The Columbus location allows kids on Sundays during the day I believe. I would imagine they will eventually do the same here.

  21. Wow I never saw this kind of push-back at the Columbus location. People were thrilled it when it opened, and it’s still thought of as one of the hippest places in town.

    This retro-themed fully stocked bar is full of vintage 1980’s and 90’s arcade games, all of which are all in free-play mode. The only games that aren’t free are the pinball machines. It’s not a place for families and children. That’s simply not the business model.

    They do not have food, but if it’s like the Columbus location, there are tables in which you can bring in your own food from neighboring businesses.

  22. John, I think you’re mistaken about kids being permitted on Sunday at the Columbus location. “Sunday Funday” has dollar craft beers and a high-score competition, but no mention of children being allowed on the website. Minors are not typically allowed in bars.

  23. Its a bar! Plan and simple. I used to bartend at a place that allowed kids and the parents would just get drunk and the kids would break stuff and run ramped. A child should never be allowed in a bar period! If you can’t find a babysitter or can’t afford one Stay home!

  24. Hell I HAVE kids and think thats dumb. I want to be able to play games without the kids butting in and taking over. Plus, uhm. Its a bar.

  25. My friend is working there and said one Sunday a month they have a day when kids are allowed.

  26. I like kids, but I don’t get why some people here just assume that they should be welcome and embraced in a place like this, all because it has video games. What, you don’t think adults deserve their own arcade venues? Take them to Chuck E. Cheese, which specifically caters to their needs, or to Dave & Busters which is more family friendly. Your sense of entitlement is here is badly misplaced.

  27. I’m just asking if teenagers can come in because out-of-towners are always looking for places to take teenagers that are in – or at least close to – Downtown Cleveland. And there are precious few. Dave and Busters is way out in Westlake and therefore doesn’t qualify. It has nothing to do with entitlement. I would never have taken my kids to an arcade when they were that age. We explored the neighborhoods instead. Peace out.

  28. Squid, 16-bit is 6.5 miles and 11 minutes from Dave and Busters! Whoa!!! If 6.5 miles is “way out in Westlake” I feel sorry if you ever have to travel to California, that must be way out of the solar system.

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