I Was Uncool Before It Became Cool To Be Uncool
This afternoon I was watching a children’s show where the aardvark (yes, aardvark) protagonist asked the question: “I wonder what the world would be like if everyone was exactly like me?” Well, first of all, my birthday would be an international holiday and secondly, no one would give the geek in me grief. This caused my mind to linger and explore the marvelous possibility of no longer having to repress my inner geek. Yes, perhaps I should wear my nerdy elements as a badge of honour, but I’m almost positive it isn’t socially acceptable to refer to your Nintendo DSi as your significant other, nor your iPhone as your best friend…
Well, as it turns out four Brisbane locals, Guy ‘Yug’ Blomberg, Ben ‘Yahtzee’ Crowshaw, Pras Moorthy and Shay Leighton, also share my dream of a ‘geeks only’ world. Or a place to congregate in our favourite Cosplay outfits and be ourselves at least. Last month, under the direction of these gentlemen, Mana Bar www.manabar.com.au, Australia’s very first Video Game Bar, was opened as part of the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts www.jwcoca.qld.gov.au. Mana Bar features multiple consoles and various gaming paraphernalia that will make any gamer drool. Oh, and did I mention the gaming themed cocktails? Even if you’re not as enthusiastic about video games as myself, it’s the perfect place to have a try at the latest and greatest games available, and enjoy a unique selection of drinks and people while you wait for your time to shine (or have your ego demolished, I reluctantly admit).
Mana Bar hosts special events every night of the week. You can join the nerd herd Monday to Thursday 5:00pm to 12:00am, and Friday to Sunday 12:00pm to 12:00am, at 420 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley.
- QH guest blogger Michaela Tam
Tags: brisbane bar, Fortitude Valley, gamers, judith wright centre of contemporary arts, mana bar