The Mana Bar Is Closing Its Doors

We’ve just learned that The Mana Bar in Brisbane, the world’s first video game themed cocktail bar, will be closing its doors on May 24.

This follows the closure of The Mana Bar in Melbourne, which shut its doors in August 2014.

The Mana Bar really was a pretty special concept. We wrote about its launch here, and it really was a cool moment for the local scene: an idea that went global.

Guy Blomberg — who founded the bar alongside Pras Moorthy, Ben ‘Yahtzee’ Croshaw and Shay Leighton — had this to say.

The Mana Bar was such a wild concept, and I think where it really succeeded was in breaking down the stigma that the only people that play video games are stereotypical pasty white nerds in their parents basement. It really did become a great community space, and I hope the lasting (probably slightly drunken) memories people will have are of the friendships formed through it.

It also brought some international attention to Australia and the gaming scene over here, which led to other video game bar venues opening up all around the world. The Mana Bar may have closed, but the concept lives on, and if nothing else I’m pround of that legacy.

Over the last year, The Mana Bar was being run by Cormac Moore, who we’re currently trying to get a hold of. We’ll update the story when we hear back.

It’s a shame to see it go, but The Mana Bar had a great run, particularly in Brisbane and that’s testament to the enthusiasm of its creators and the hard work of those who kept it going.


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