The Game Has Changed! New EightyTwo Arcade Bar Opens in Downtown Los Angeles

TRON arcade at 82 BTM

The 1982 TRON Bally Midway arcade game at the EightyTwo arcade bar in Downtown Los Angeles.

“Don’t put any change in the meter — we’re going to need it for the games.” Cindy Morgan as Lora Baines in 1982’s TRON film.

1982 was a watershed year in entertainment — a time when cinema gave birth to some of its most iconic sci-fi/fantasy/horror movies of all time, including: “Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan”, “E.T.”, “Poltergeist”, “The Dark Crystal”, “Blade Runner”, “John Carpenter’s: The Thing” — and TRON, a film which also produced an arcade game counterpart: the first ever video-game based upon a movie — which subsequently was awarded “Coin-Operated Game of the Year” by Electronic Games magazine at that time. Now that pivotal year has been crafted into a monicker for an exciting, new arcade/bar located in Downtown Los Angeles — an area which GQ recently called the “Next Great City in America.” Here’s a look at the set-up — along with an interview with its co-owner Scott Davids.

EightyTwo officially opened on March 21st — with a week long soft opening leading up to then. Buzz had steadily built via the net and their Facebook page, resulting in that week being heavily trafficked by persons eager to check out the location. Come time for its grand opening which I attended, the line to get in stretched down the sidewalk throughout the entirety of the evening — right up till the 2 AM closing time.

82 Montage #1

Perennially classic arcade games — including Pac-Man, Dig Dug, Space Invaders, Tempest, Donkey Kong, STAR WARS (cockpit version), Centipede, BurgerTime, Asteroids Deluxe,  Dragon’s Lair, and Gauntlet — are all gathered inside in a “dream team” like fashion. The before mentioned TRON arcade is also amongst them, as is the contemporary pinball machine based upon the film’s sequel TRON: LEGACY.

82 TRON Montage

The location has a gallery-like vibe made up of two wings: one comprised of arcade games, one of pinballs — with over 40 of them spread throughout 4,000 square feet. In-between the wings lies a 1,700 square foot patio which provides for a nice gathering area. The games are placed in close proximity to each other, yet separate enough to showcase each well.

82 Montage #2

This aesthetic is clearly what Scott Davids, who co-owns EightyTwo with long time friend Noah Sutcliffe, had in mind. In the midst of the throngs of gamers embarking in their battles and quests, and several others dancing away to the DJ’s eclectic mixes, Davids and I found a recess to chat about the set-up. He pointed to the interior: “You’ll notice we have cement walls, cement floors — there’s no color — everything’s white and black: the only color in this whole place, are the games. It’s all about uplifting the games, making them objects of art. They’re all spread apart — you can see the side art of them. Like look at this thing man (gesturing to the side art of a nearby arcade) — it’s awesome. This comes from an era when there wasn’t this ‘thing’ in your pocket — when it was just instant access to information (as now). Everything was an experience. We want to try to allow people to have that experience once again. Get lost back in the game, and enjoy the music.”

When asked about his inspiration to open the venture, Davids shared: “I’ve been a collector for over 13 years… my first game I ever bought was Street Fighter 2 — and that was because my buds and I in college wanted something to ‘pre-party’ with, so we got the game, got a bunch of beers, and we played ’till the beer was done. I had a true love for the classic arcade games. I was like: ‘oh man’! You can actually buy these games?’ That’s when I got the bug. So I started collecting after that. We’re not going for a theme type spot, it’s not like a cheesy place — we’re just trying to make a fun spot where you can enjoy the games. I’m into a lot of different stuff: I love arcade games, I love being social, I love having fun, I like cocktails, I like music, I like the outdoor patio — so we kinda mash it all up… and hopefully introduce something cool and different to people.  Every person in here playing these games is excited about it — so it’s pretty rad.”

82 Montage #3

Davids also relayed his discouragement as to how arcade games can often not be working at some establishments, and how it’s a priority of his to ensure the games at EightyTwo are always kept in top shape: “It was just really about people who love what they’re doing. People can tell when they walk in here — that we’re all about this. I’m on the floor — like if there’s something wrong, I care more than anybody: I go to a lot of these things, and when there’s a button broken, I’m like what the f*@k? When people aren’t experiencing the games as they should be experienced, it kinda hurts me inside a bit — that’s the point of this (place).”

Davids then introduced me to Molly Atkinson — whom he lovingly referred to as “the forefront of pinball culture in LA”. Atkinson is the founder of Pins and Needles in Echo Park: which houses several pinballs for play, and she also started the Los Angeles Pinball League. Atkinson provided the pinballs for this new venture — while Davids provided all the arcade games. They both spoke as to how they’ll soon be having pinball and arcade competitions, as well as leagues, at EightyTwo.

82 Montage #4 copy

Davids also spoke of the importance of Downtown LA being the locale for EightyTwo: “I love Downtown LA — there’s a great community down here: really cool people into really cool stuff. Downtown LA has really ‘exploded’ — in each little nook and cranny. Really just blowing up. I just wanted to be a part of that revitalization — and I thought, rather than this be a Chipotle or Verizon store, I thought that an arcade/bar would be amazing.”

If you’re in Los Angeles area or visiting — definitely swing by — this has one of the best collections of arcade games and pinballs I’ve ever seen assembled — and in such a fun, hip space to boot. Game on…

– Jay West

EightyTwo is open Tuesday through Thursday from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. — Friday from 5 P.M. until 2 A.M. — and Saturday and Sunday from 2 P.M. until 2 A.M. — and closed on Mondays. Address: 707 E. 4th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Phone: 213-626-8200. Website: http://eightytwo.la/

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