Hey everyone, Blake here, welcome back to my little corner of the internet! As you all know, I’m obsessed with all things tech, gaming, and especially virtual reality. So, when my family and I recently took a little vacation to Atlanta, Georgia, you can bet I did my research beforehand on the best spots in the city to get my VR fix.
And let me tell you, I hit the jackpot when I stumbled upon Battle & Brew Atlanta – the self-proclaimed “ultimate gaming experience” establishment nestled right in the heart of Sandy Springs.
As my loyal readers know, I have pretty high standards when it comes to gaming. Bringing my wife Patty and two kids, 13-year-old John and 11-year-old Jenette, along for the ride didn’t exactly set the stage for the ultimate gaming nirvana. But surprisingly, Battle & Brew truly lived up to the hype and delivered an incredibly fun, social gaming experience for gamers and non-gamers alike.
The Gaming
I’ll cut right to the chase on the most important part about any gaming establishment – the actual games! Battle & Brew did not disappoint when it came to the variety and quality of gaming options available. As soon as we walked through the front doors into the industrial-chic interior bathed in mood lighting, my inner gamer geeked out when I saw rows of slick PC gaming stations, game consoles like PS5s hooked up to big screens, and shelves lined with every kind of board game and RPG you could imagine.
My son John made a beeline right for the PCs to try his hand at League of Legends while Jenette made herself comfortable in a lounge area, browsing amongst the stacks of board games. Seeing those two content, my wife decided it was time for her regular schooling on Mario Kart. So we posted up on a couch and battled it out on Rainbow Road as a family. It felt just like those late nights in college when my friends and I would binge game for hours, fueled by nothing but ramen noodles and Red Bull. Such nostalgia, much fun!
After I put Patty in her place with my superior Mario Kart skills, I ventured off on my own to explore the rest of the offerings. Tucked away in the back corner, I discovered a little slice of VR heaven – a VIP lounge decked out with VR rigs and gear. My heart raced as I strapped on an Oculus Quest and dove into Beat Saber, slashing away to synth beats with my virtual lightsabers. As an owner of a VR headset myself, I have to say Battle & Brew’s setup was top-notch. The tracking was precise, the graphics crisp, and they had a solid catalog of games in rotation. I even broke a sweat during a particularly intense bout of Thrill of the Fight!
The only negatives were the 2-hour time limit if the lounge got full, and having to book private sessions at premium pricing. But that’s a small price for such an awesome VR experience – I’d say it was easily worth the $35 admission fee. Overall, Battle & Brew gets an A rating from this gamer when it comes to the quality and variety of games on offer!
The Atmosphere
A stellar lineup of games is paramount, but gaming is also a highly social experience. The venue can make or break that social aspect, no matter how great the games are. Luckily, Battle & Brew absolutely nails it when it comes to creating a fun, communal environment that brings people together.
From the outward appearance, you wouldn’t expect much from this modest strip mall establishment. But once inside, the industrial chic aesthetics certainly feel inviting while also retaining that gamer grunge. Neon signs cast a moody glow across exposed brick walls adorned with comic prints and game concept art. Arcade machines are sprinkled throughout, adding a splash of retro flair. Touches like video game character statuettes on shelves give nods to the gaming theme without going overboard.
The layout capitalizes on fostering social interaction between gamers. Long communal tables with bar stool seating encourage patrons to mingle with strangers over food or drinks in a relaxed cafe manner. Similarly, the gaming stations themselves facilitate organic rapport – the rows of PCs have chairs facing each other, so you end up talking trash across the aisle. And the lounge areas centered around the big screen TVs, whether gaming or not, lend themselves well to boisterous conversation.
During peak hours, like a recent cosplay night, the chatter volume can get pretty intense. But even on a more chill weekday evening, there’s still a steady hum of spirited discourse all around regarding the merits of different games and the like. Add in special events like game launches or eSports tournaments broadcast over the PA system, and there’s never a dull moment!
While the atmosphere stays relatively family-friendly earlier in the day, later at night it shifts to a 21+ vibe once the cocktails and craft beers start flowing! But that just adds to the fun, in my opinion. All types feel welcome at Battle & Brew thanks to the carefully crafted environs. Major kudos to the owners for creating such an outstanding social experience!
The Food & Drink
An aspect of gaming lounges often overlooked is the actual sustenance situation. Serious gamers don’t like to be distracted for long when we’re in the zone. That’s why I was pleased to discover each gaming station at Battle & Brew comes equipped with QR code menus you can scan to conveniently order food and drinks without ever having to get up from your game! Genius!
My son John took advantage of that perk immediately, ordering up buttermilk fried chicken tenders with truffle fries and a Mountain Dew Baja Blast – what teenage gamer doesn’t subsist primarily on fried carbs and sugar? I can’t say no to perfectly crisp fries though, so I helped him polish those off. My wife and daughter opted to split an order of the Fish & Chips 700 since Jenette was hungry too. A big piece of golden fried cod paired with cilantro lime slaw? Sign me and Patty up for that anytime!
In terms of entree fare, you’ll find plenty of tasty, if slightly grease-laden, takes on bar food standards like burgers, wings, tacos, etc. Nothing mind-blowing in terms of culinary wizardry, but certainly satisfying after a gaming session! And major kudos to the chef for naming everything after geek references and putting a fun twist on the mundane menu. Who can resist the Meat Gear Salad, Triforce of Power Burger, or Sonic Spinach Dip? Not this nerd!
While waiting for our main courses, we sipped on craft cocktails with playful monikers. My wife enjoyed the fruity flavor profile of Leia’s Lemonade, while I opted for the complex yet balanced taste of the Han Solo Cup – bourbon, bitters, and ginger liqueur. The kids got their sugar fix instead from novelty non-alcoholic potion beverages served out of Erlenmeyer flasks.
The only downside, food-wise, was the somewhat inflated prices across the board. You’re definitely paying a premium for the novelty. But the convenience of ordering from my seat while gaming did offset that sting to the wallet somewhat. Overall, I’d give Battle & Brew’s fare a solid A grade.
The Verdict
At the end of my epic 5-hour visit to Battle & Brew Atlanta, was I completely satisfied with my experience as a discerning gamer and virtual reality enthusiast? Resoundingly yes!! Between the top-notch lineup of games covering all the bases (console, PC, VR, tabletop), the incredibly fun and social atmosphere, and the decent geek-inspired food & drinks, Battle & Brew delivered on all fronts.
Sure, the time limits on the VR lounge were slightly annoying, and the pricing could be friendlier to families on a budget. But in terms of quality and sheer enjoyment, this place could easily rival any Dave & Buster’s or gaming cafe I’ve ever visited in my vast career as an avid gamer. I’ll happily fork over that extra dough any day for the premium experience offered at Battle & Brew.
My entire family was thoroughly entertained the whole evening, even my non-gamer wife. My kids can’t stop begging me to go back anytime we find ourselves in Atlanta again. That just goes to show what an accommodating environment Battle & Brew fosters for all. So whether you’re a passionate gamer like myself eager to test your mettle in virtual reality or a casual Mario Kart warrior looking for a lively night out with friends over funky cocktails, Battle & Brew has something fun for literally everyone.
This place sets a new high standard when it comes to the out-of-home social gaming experience. I highly recommend all my Atlanta area readers check out Battle & Brew next time they get the itch to pick up a controller or even just to grab a bite in a uniquely themed cafe. Believe me when I say you won’t encounter anywhere else quite like it!