New house and dedicated Arcade/Bar/Theater on the way

[Maximus]

We are currently in escrow at the moment and we're looking forward to what will hopefully be our 'forever' home.

A big part of the excitement for me is a 500 sq/ft garage space that my wife and I have agreed I can dedicate to using as an arcade, bar and home theater area. There are also plans to extend the space out to approx 900 sq/ft but that will depend on many other factors to look at later on.

The area will be family oriented with a focus on multiple use of the space at the same time.

I haven't decided if I want to section off the theater area for a more pure and dedicated movie experience or if I'd rather keep the whole space shared so it's more of a casual/social experience.

The arcade itself will be a collection of original machines rather than Mame, I also want to make sure that I pick pieces that people of all ages will enjoy. So aside from the obvious titles, I was also thinking about

Skeeball - who doesn't love it.
Pachinko - At least one of these crazy things, the more crazy Japanese candy styling the better.
Shuffleboard - Maybe the 'bounce back' type so it uses much less space.
Pinball - Would love to own a TAF and TZ one day, but who knows when.
Karaoke - When you're drunk everyone knows how to sing well right?
Small stage/dance floor - Maybe combined with the karaoke, mic stands, disco ball

Also in the back of the room I'll be building the obligatory bar etc.

If I do the full shared space then I was just going to line the side walls with the arcade cabs, have the chairs/couch in the middle, the projection screen at the front wall and the bar on the back wall. Not sure where I would put the stage, maybe off to the side between the bar and the back of the movie seating?

Anyone built this kind of space themselves?

[Maximus]

Lol this just exploded my Awesome fuse...

Ghostbusters Pachinko Japanese Version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-fEDUAYGoTw#at=31

[Vigo]

Lol this just exploded my Awesome fuse...

Ghostbusters Pachinko Japanese Version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-fEDUAYGoTw#at=31

Ugh, as if I don't already have enough awesome stuff I really want yet can't afford.

Seriously though, I can't wait to see what you pull together. Most major game room builds I see here seem to be perpetual and never form, but i have a feeling you will put something nice together and it probably wont take you too long. Don't forget the poker table.

[Maximus]

I'm pretty pumped at having the space to work with, it will be a whole different kind of project.

Meanwhile in completely insane Pachinko land, I have no idea what's happening here but I think I need this

[Vigo]

I was happy that I just got my first Sanyo pachinko machine from the 70's.

[Maximus]

and this needs no explanation

[harveybirdman]

and this needs no explanation

Oh ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---!  LeChuck is going to be pissed.....  I mean I know we were having fun with the "asteroids in a rock" jokes but he was working hard on that thing...

[jdbailey1206]

and this needs no explanation

Oh ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---!  LeChuck is going to be pissed.....  I mean I know we were having fun with the "asteroids in a rock" jokes but he was working hard on that thing...

It took in the time from me reading that post and logging in for someone to mention Le Chucks build.   
Maximus- My old man built one of these rooms in our basement growing up.  I would have to agree that he was never completely done adding.  He wasnt even done when we moved 20 years later.  I will say this.  Dont be afraid to plan and just dont jump right in.  And it seems that the thing that got the most use you forgot to mention.....Da Foosball!

[Maximus]

I was happy that I just got my first Sanyo pachinko machine from the 70's.

Well there's the best endorsement for Pachinko right there

[paigeoliver]

i would consider not putting the home theater in there. Soon as the wife starts watching something then everything else will have to be quiet so she can hear it. Better to just have the nice TV stuff in the living room otherwise you can easily find your every party will get hijacked by the TV as well. I would avoid the karaoke for the same reason.

If you get a pachinko machine make sure you either get one with a volume control or mod it for a volume control, Japanese "skill" games are notorious for incredibly loud volume levels during the bonus games. Also, kids like to carry off the pachinko balls.

You can get a multiple Gottlieb pins and a couple skee ball lanes as well for the price of a TZ or TAF pin. However it is hard to find a good deal on a skee ball lane that hasn't been beaten into submission on a daily basis since the late 70s. Went to one amusement center closing auction and they had at least 50 lanes in decent shape and averaged about $1000 per lane. The Tilt near me has some really thrashed looking shorty lanes at $500 each at the moment, which is the cheapest I have ever seen.

[Maximus]

Based on the basic info I have right now, the existing garage is (I think) 24' x 24', so based on those meaurements here's my first run at a space and layout scheme.



This is based on the idea that we don't extend the garage space (which we are seriously considering because there's a nice viewing deck above it). But as is, it would keep the arcade nice and dense and have it separated by an interior wall with a nice wide 40" open doorway.

[yotsuya]

Where is the cockpit going?

[Maximus]

Where is the cockpit going?

Maybe in one of the pinball spots, I only have one pinball and 4 regular cabs at the moment so there's plenty of room for growth.

[yotsuya]

Looks good, bro. See you around New Year's.

[Dawgz Rule]

I was happy that I just got my first Sanyo pachinko machine from the 70's.

+1.  Just recovered the one that I had as a kid.  I remember getting it for Xmas one year.  Sear's sold them at one time.

[Maximus]

Looks good, bro. See you around New Year's.

Bring good beer, oh and lock the door when you've finished, I'll be in Mexico.

[yotsuya]

Make sure you leave the code to turn off the dog.

[UFO]

I wish I had the space ...

Saw this today and it just makes me sick!

[Maximus]

Yep that's a nice setup, I actually like the low ceilings, gives it a nice feel. More than a few classic titles in there too, a real collector.

[Maximus]

Here's another bash at it accommodating a cockpit and a sit down driver, also a raised stage and rails for the rear theater seating, an extra theater seat, TV on the back of the bar, and deeper rear bar that can house under-counter fridges.

[Fursphere]

The pinball's against the wall backed up to arcade are going to be tight for a person on each machine at the same time.

May not be an issues, but could be a consideration.

[Maximus]

Yeah good point, I guess I can always stagger them, it will make more sense when laying them out in RL then you'll be able to just do what feels right.

[Fursphere]

A pinball is what, like 5.25 feet?  A non-active player (just stand there) adds about 1.5 feet.  An "active" player can easily take up 3+ more feet off the machine - making that 9 foot wall barely big enough.  lol

(I used one of my Gottlieb Black Hole for reference)

[Maximus]

Pinball is typically 55 inches deep and I'm not the disco dancing type while playing.  So far this is based on not expanding the current space. If all goes according to plan the length of the space could be 44ft or more,  hard to say right now.

[Maximus]

Here's a dirty render of the idea so far, based on a 24'x24' space.

[paigeoliver]

The mixed pins / vid area is a bottleneck, it is too tight, I have made gameroom mistakes like that in the past and people literally get stuck behind other people at parties.

Depending on your projector angle you could install a couple of cocktail tables in front of the theater seating.

The bar area might be better redesigned as simply a fridge and a few cocktail tables. Are you really going to be mixing up drinks back there? If not then a beer fridge is probably all your need.

You could squeeze in a coin op dartboard to the left of the video screen.

[Gamester]

Almost seems like the bar should butt up behind the movie seats and flip the stools around to the other side so people can sit at the bar and watch the big screen.  That would open up a wider path from the doorway through as well.  I know it's a less traditional bar configuration, but maybe more practical given your space constraints.   Just a thought...

Congrats on the new pad!

Edit: Upon closer inspection, I see that it appears the wall behind the theater seats may be too high for the bar to see over. 

[Gamester]

Based on the one render, I tend to agree with paigeoliver; it does seem a little cramped...especially the arcade area.  Just not sure that space is well suited for pins, unless you do away with a couple of the arcade machines across from them.

[Vigo]

5 ms pac-mans seems a bit obsessive. 

[UFO]

Here's a dirty render of the idea so far, based on a 24'x24' space.

Lol at your "dirty render"

[Maximus]

Thanks for the feedback guys.  Yes the arcade is looking tight at the moment, fortunately I don't own all those machines yet.

The wall between the bar and theater is just a low separator about 40" high. 

At the back of the bar is a TV on the wall (looks like a mirror in the render) so it can also show what is on the movie screen or show something else. (we are a two team house during football season).  Also I wanted an alternative to having to always use the big screen when we wanted something on in the background while bullshitting at the bar.

The bar itself needs to be a gathering point rather than just a place to store and pour. It's a good place for the parents to hang while keeping an eye on the kids in the arcade or theater.

I'd like to get some bar games in the bar area like pachinko shuffleboard etc but we will have to see space wise.

So far the arcade may be too tight.  What I really need to do is go over to the house and make some real measurements

[Fursphere]

I think you could safely put a cocktail arcade table in the theater area if you really wanted too. 

[PL1]

How about moving the 2 pinballs in the row of vids where the cockpit is, moving the cockpit to the narrow wall where they were, and moving one of the vids to the other side.

That way you won't have to waste the aisle space to get in/out of the cockpit like now and the pins don't create a bottleneck in the row of vids.

If you still want a driving cab like you indicated on the line drawing (not shown in the "dirty render"), put the cockpit and driving cab in an L-shaped configuration with the long part of the "L" on the short wall.


Scott

[brihyn]

Similar to PL1's idea: Move the 2 pins next to the other. Slide down the wall of arcades, and put the Stars War cab where the 2 Ms. Pacman cabs are.

[Maximus]

Here's a bit of moving around, added the shuffleboard too. 10 Cabs, 1 cockpit, 1 driver, 3 pins.

[Rick]

Here's a bit of moving around, added the shuffleboard too. 10 Cabs, 1 cockpit, 1 driver, 3 pins.

I think this one's a winner.

[JDFan]

Looking better -- though might just get rid of the bar seating and place a couple cocktail cabs with 2 or 3 seats so you get just as much seating and have a couple cocktail machines there  -- Also I'd install some pocket doors in the doorway between the TV\stage and the bulk of the arcade machines (In case the wife wants to watch the TV you can close the doors to cut down the noise level from the arcade and still be able to use it - without losing any room.)

[Gamester]

Here's a bit of moving around, added the shuffleboard too. 10 Cabs, 1 cockpit, 1 driver, 3 pins.

Much better!  Can't wait to see it come to reality. 

[PL1]

Looking good!   

Have you considered a narrow (8"-10"?) serving shelf for snacks in place of the rail behind the theater seating?

It might also work for someone who wants to pull up a bar stool and eat while watching the big screen.   


Scott

[Maximus]

Looking good!   

Have you considered a narrow (8"-10"?) serving shelf for snacks in place of the rail behind the theater seating?

It might also work for someone who wants to pull up a bar stool and eat while watching the big screen.   


Scott

Yep Scott that's exactly what is going there just didn't get around to adding it yet