The moment is finally here: Super Abari Game Bar now has an opening date
The moment you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived: Super Abari Game Bar will officially open Monday, May 16 in Charlotte’s Belmont neighborhood.
The original Abari Game Bar closed its location along the border of Charlotte’s Villa Heights and Optimist Park neighborhoods during the height of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, due to redevelopment. Owner Zach Pulliam said at the time that he would look for another location, but he wasn’t sure if finding a new space would be possible. Then in October 2021, he announced plans to open Super Abari Game Bar in the Belmont neighborhood.
“I think really what kind of sparked my desire to do this again is finding this building,” Pulliam said. “I could just tell that it was the place.”
• NEW LOCATION: The new and more walkable location — named Super Abari after game consoles including the Super NES — is near Ace No. 3 burgers, Bloom & Bottle and Sweet Lew’s BBQ. Birdsong Brewing Co. and Catawba Brewing are close by, as well.
• NEW NAME: Why Super Abari? “We always get people saying ‘What about Abari Jaguar or Abari 5200?’ I just liked Super title a little bit better — and we are super,” Pulliam said. “The game floor itself is about the size of the bar.”
• BIGGER, NICER, MORE: That game floor is stocked with double the number pinball machines that were in the old location and old-school arcade games, including Ms. Pac Man, The Simpsons and Sega’s Out Run and Daytona. There’s also a nicer living-room-type area, more restrooms and a 1,000-square-foot patio with picnic tables.
Cushy banquette seating that overlooks the main game room from a mezzanine about 7 feet above allows for taking a break while watching the action. “It’s a nice little wow factor when you’re coming in,” Pulliam said, noting that seating wasn’t great at the previous location.
Another feature will be a rotating interactive exhibit tying in video game history, where you can play around while having a drink. And the TV wall is back — showing 1980s to early 2000s movies, commercials and more on shuffle, so it won’t be the same thing every time you visit.
Most of all, Pulliam has worked to keep the experience affordable. You can expect:
- 25 cent arcade games
- 50 cent pinball games and
- drink prices that Pulliam says are lower than what you’ll find in most of Charlotte.
“I like that people can come in here with $20 and spend a few hours and have a lot of fun,” Pulliam said.
You won’t find the experience staying static, either. “We’re going to continue to grow. Just like the last bar, we’re going to have to grow organically. But, I mean, expect more artwork, expect more games — expect the same old stuff, just better,” he said.
Take a peek inside using the gallery below, and we’ll see you Monday at the pinball machines!
Super Abari Game Bar
Location: 1015 Seigle Ave Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighborhood: Belmont Charlotte
Instagram: @abarigamebar
This story was originally published May 5, 2022 at 1:41 PM.
