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Sometime this summer, Lakewood will see the opening of 16-Bit Bar + Arcade, the second location for the popular Columbus-based bar. Voted Best New Bar in Columbus last year by readers of Columbus Underground, the adult-themed arcade is operated by Stow native Troy Allen.

To be located in the old Five Guys spot on Detroit, the 4,000-square-foot space promises to be a major entertainment attraction for the area.

“This is our take on the barcade concept,” explains Allen, who also owns the Columbus-based brand strategy firm Elevate. “It’s a higher end experience than you’re going to get at other barcades.”

The Lakewood spot is roughly twice the size of the Columbus original and will feature 40 arcade games, pinball and skee-ball. All the games are original, in phenomenal condition, and set to free play, adds Allen. Games are swapped in and out based on customer demand.

“When you walk into our location, it’s like you’re stepping back in time and remembering your childhood,” says Allen. “From the music that we play to the movies and TV shows that we play, to our cocktail menu — it’s impossible for people to walk into our location and not have an instant smile on their face.”

16 Bit serves no food but welcomes guests to order in. The bar will have 24 craft beers on tap plus canned beer and cocktails.

“We looked at several locations up in Cleveland, but Lakewood, from a demographic standpoint, was the best fit,” he adds. “We are definitely part of the community, and we pull in a lot of regulars, but we also pull from a wider geographic region. We even get people from Cleveland down in Columbus.”

Look for a July opening.

This article appears in Mar 5-11, 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.

13 replies on “Lakewood to Snag One of Ohio’s Hottest Barcade Concepts”

  1. An area can have intriguing, positive demographics….but the key is city officials who have a forward vision and are willing to work with (and listen to) business owners looking for a spot. For example, the corner of Warren Road and Detroit Avenue has had an extraordinary makeover.

  6. Dave and Busters charges outrageous amounts for “Powering Up” their cards for game play.
    Dave and Busters has a variety of old and new games

    16-bit has free-play set for the “classic arcade” games such as Pacman, Donkey Kong, Centipede, Mr Do!, pinball games, etc. It’s more of a nostalgia idea

  8. So it’s BYOF,, a new concept to me. I have been to several eateries that were BYOB, not the oher way around.

  13. We went to the one in Columbus and it was a blast….can’t wait for the Lakewood location to open up!!

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