Fairhaven's 1-Up Lounge is changing the gaming scene with craft cocktails and mocktails, paired with over 4,000 gaming options. The lively sounds of people chattering and buttons clicking creates an intimate gaming experience for people of all ages. The 1-Up Lounge has been open since 2017 at 121 McKenzie Ave., Bellingham, Wash.
From pinball and Dance-Dance Revolution to retro style and modern gaming consoles, 1-Up is a lively arcade that invites people to bond over their favorite games. It’s a place to connect with a community of gamers and share the love of gaming. Whether you are an avid game lover or looking to watch others play, their arcade welcomes all.
1-Up bartender Chloe Mae Garland has enjoyed connecting with the regulars and newbies that have come in over her three months of working there.
“You can sit down and play a game by yourself and then end up with someone playing a two player game,” Garland said.
After 7 p.m., 1-Up is 18 years old and up but serves themed drinks to folks 21 years old and up. For minors and non-drinkers, a $10 fee covers game access and a non-alcoholic beverage. Anyone who buys a drink, such as Song of Storms or Peachy Princess, gets their gaming cover comped for coin-operated games like pinball. There is a coin machine located in the lounge of the arcade.
Every week, the 1-Up runs themed nights. They have Pinball Multiball on Mondays, Co-op Twosdays, Ladies and Theydies on Wednesdays, Guitar Hero on Fridays and Rhythm Night on Saturdays. On Ladies and Theydies night, femme-identifying and nonbinary people get $2 off drinks and shots.
After spending plenty of Friday nights at the lounge, Micah Hays found a community of gamers and enjoyed talking to the friendly staff. Hays later sought out employment at 1-Up.
“Because of our wide game selection and because of our staff that cares so deeply about gaming culture and the culture of people that come in here, you should come in because there is something for everyone,” Hays said.
For those new to games, the staff is there to guide guests through different options. Above the bar rests a variety of console game options from Xbox, Playstation and Gamecube. Customers can access the bar’s entire discography.
“Everyone knows the owners and everyone just has such a friendly smile on their face when they come in here. That’s been one of my favorite parts of working here too is just how inviting everyone is: the customers and the staff,” Hays said.
The arcade scene in Bellingham is a great way for people to unwind and spend time with friends. The Shakedown in downtown Bellingham is notorious for their gaming selection of pinball as a fun amenity for customers.
“We get music lovers, older pinball enthusiasts, people on first dates, small crowds bar-hopping and lots of fellow service industry workers on their day off,” said Hollie Huthman, the co-owner of the Shakedown.
Jackie Hopkins (she/her) is a Sports and Recreation reporter for The Front. She is a junior studying communications with a minor in public relations journalism. In her free time, she enjoys reading, working out and spending time with her friends. You can reach her at jackiehopkins.thefront@gmail.com.
