Bartops - why?

[Benevolance]

I have never understood the appeal of the bartop cabinets. Other than being small in size, what is the appeal to those of you who build/are building them?

[javeryh]

I have never understood the appeal of the bartop cabinets. Other than being small in size, what is the appeal to those of you who build/are building them?

That is the appeal!  Plus, they are just so damn cute.

[FrizzleFried]

Bar tops are great where space is short.  They are also great for transportability.  Try bringing your full size cab to the family reunion...

[wbassett]

I'm going to be building a bartop for my grandson.  He fell in love with his papa's arcade when he was up, but they don't have room for a full size cab.  He'll love it just fine I'm sure.

[Visitor Q]

They are awesome looking.

[Ginsu Victim]

Simply put, my wife doesn't want another full size cabinet in the house. A bartop is my only choice at this point. The moment I finished my cabinet, I was ready to start another project. The work is the most fun part to me.

[Benevolance]

Okay, I hadn't considered using a bartop as a portable MAME cabinet. That's an interesting idea. But otherwise...space saving is it's only saving grace?

The work is the most fun part to me.

I'll second you on that.

[ChadTower]

Okay, I hadn't considered using a bartop as a portable MAME cabinet. That's an interesting idea. But otherwise...space saving is it's only saving grace?

What's so great about an upright?  It's 90% empty cabinet. 

[Blanka]

The cab may be small, but the bar isn't and a bar is soooo wrong-seventies. I rather have a sitpit or a lava lamp if I need some furniture from the seventies.

[Benevolance]

What's so great about an upright?  It's 90% empty cabinet.

It's bigger. 

[boogieman]

I think an upright is more for nostalgia (like they were in the arcades), a bartop just fits in a smaller space.

I would actually like a candy cab so I can sit down and play, I guess I am just lazy lol.

[leapinlew]

I build bartops because I want to play certain style games that I don't want to dedicate to a full machine. Tempest, Defender, etc. They are perfect because they don't take up much room, but provide all the fun.

I can also have a bartop at work, but they'd probably frown at a full size.

[Franco B]

Because its something else to make

A bartop is deffo next on my list after my cocktail and juke.

[TOK]

I built one kind of for the heck of it... Wanted a small, dedicated cab that ran an odd control layout (Stargate/Defender), but I kind of agree with the original poster. Once I played it for a while, I want a stand to get it up to normal standing height. I have it on a table that approximates the height of an original machine, but plan on building a base for it.

I guess what I actually wanted was a cabaret, not a bartop. 

[Benevolance]

I build bartops because I want to play certain style games that I don't want to dedicate to a full machine. Tempest, Defender, etc. They are perfect because they don't take up much room, but provide all the fun.

Wanted a small, dedicated cab that ran an odd control layout (Stargate/Defender)

A person could just do an alternate CP with a dedicated layout for an upright. But then you'd have to store the alternate CPS somewhere...so, okay, I can understand building a bartop for this purpose. But even still...it seems more like a game device built for an individual.

I always felt that a good part of the arcade experience was crowding around the machine to watch whomever was playing...well, play. My friends and I would often take turns on difficult games, picking up where another left off. A bartop just seems to small to do that with.

I can also have a bartop at work, but they'd probably frown at a full size.

That's just too cool for words.

[bishmasterb]

Why BARtops?

Because alcohol improves everything.

[TOK]

A person could just do an alternate CP with a dedicated layout for an upright. But then you'd have to store the alternate CPS somewhere...so, okay, I can understand building a bartop for this purpose. But even still...it seems more like a game device built for an individual.

I always felt that a good part of the arcade experience was crowding around the machine to watch whomever was playing...well, play. My friends and I would often take turns on difficult games, picking up where another left off. A bartop just seems to small to do that with.

Not into the crowding, which is why I have a bunch of games.

[bigdog1977]

Why BARtops?

Because alcohol improves everything.

Well I like to drink and play my upright! =) That's what Bar stools are for!! IMO Bartops r lame!!!(except if there touch screen!)  I'd much rather see an upright, dual seated, or virtual pinball arcade anyday! Or at least a mini cade! hahha Sorry in advance dont mean to offend anyone, just my opinion.

[Turnarcades]

Okay, I hadn't considered using a bartop as a portable MAME cabinet. That's an interesting idea. But otherwise...space saving is it's only saving grace?

Saving grace? Space is the exact reason these cabs were dreamt up in the first place. Most purists will agree they don't as accurately replicate the authentic arcade experience, but for many it's better to have a stable, all-in-one unit rather than just a control panel that moves about during play if you have a pokey house with no room for an upright. You will find many who just have one to supplement a full-size, but built correctly you don't have to sacrifice much by having just a bar-top - maybe multi-player fun and a few extra toys.

Our Bar-Tops are popular sellers in UK homes as they are much smaller. Our whole range was built to save space but with most gadget-freaks already filling their homes with massive TV's, IKEA furniture and wives, sometimes a bar-top is still the only option

At the end of the day it's all basically the same inside no matter what you build.