The details
The ingenious team at Funlab earned its name by cornering the market on hospitality-meets-entertainment concepts. The minds behind Strike Bowling and Holey Moley Golf Club are stepping up to the plate for a third home-run idea – arcade-come-cocktail bar B. Lucky & Sons. B. Lucky’s inspiration spawned from a desire to rejuvenate the arcade concept, which faltered in the 90s thanks to an influx of home-entertainment systems and a shift away from redemption-style gaming. The idea to reinvigorate the format was inspired by US-based chain Dave & Busters, which honed in on an adult-friendly concept that blended nostalgia with a grown-up appeal. The first B. Lucky & Sons location opened in Melbourne to great success, and now the second larger location has been installed in the heart of the T.C. Beirne Building off the Brunswick Street Mall.
The arcade
The arcade’s concept is grounded in the exploits of fictional British gangster Bill Lucky – who earned his reputation by opening pawn shops in Hong Kong as a front for the White Lantern cartel’s gaming lounges. The entrance to B. Lucky & Sons has been fashioned into an old-school London-style pawn shop, but beyond the shelves of oddities and rarities and through a red-velvet curtain sits a glittering wonderland of fun. The cavernous den is saturated in the light of Hong Kong-inspired neon signage, vibrant gaming machines and decorative British touches. In the arcade, an evolving selection of timeless classics and new-age machines sit side by side – we’re talking Daytona, Mario Kart and The Walking Dead sharing space with claw machines, skill testers, skee-ball and NBA Hoop consoles. Like any classic arcade, using the redemption games affords you the chance to win prizes, and this is where the pawn shop comes into play. The team has sourced an array of hard-to-find goodies from rare vinyl, limited-edition action figures, Chanel bags and gaming consoles to win. That’s right – you won’t have to settle for slap-bands and bouncy balls here. HEAD TO THE STREET PHOTOGRAPHER FOR A CLOSER LOOK AT THE INTERIOR.
The food and drink
While it’s easy to lose yourselves amongst the high-score attempts and prize chases, B. Lucky & Son’s bar and food offering is tempting enough to tear even the most steadfast gamer away for a few. Like the space itself, the menu shares Asian and British influences across its food and beverage options. Mains such as pork bao-gers, spiced Szechuan squid and five-spice chicken wings are available alongside stone-baked pizzas, fish and chips, and chips and gravy. A list of thirst-quenching bubble-cup drinks, classic cocktail concoctions, wine, tap beer and spirits will assuredly offer enough fluid to keep you hydrated for a night of frenzied gaming.
B. Lucky & Sons opens to the public on Thursday September 27. For more details, head on over to the Stumble Guide.
