14 of the geekiest bars in the world
Back in August, a bar opened in Paris called "Dernier Bar Avant La Fin Du Monde," which roughly translates to "The Last Bar Before the End of the World." Okay, so it's some kind of doomsday bar, right? Actually, it's a geek-centric bar that caters to fans of all sorts of awesome stuff. From tabletop games to Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, many a geeky interest is represented.
Once the interwebs got wind of Dernier Bar, people started getting fired up about it. Some who had been there (and others who hadn't) started dubbing it "The Geekiest Bar in the World". Now, I'm not saying that Dernier Bar isn't awesome. Far from it. But in the world? I think that claim is due a bit of scrutiny.
That said, scrutiny best left to the experts. So, rather than pass my own judgement, I'm handing the reins over to you: the people. Here's a list of 14 geeky bars, Dernier Bar included. Which do you think is the geekiest? Is there a bar not on the list that's geekier than anything I've mentioned? You decide.
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11. The Hobbit Until now, England's geeks have been omitted from this list. An oversight I aim to rectify with the entry of The Hobbit. Yes, it's a Lord of the Rings pub, and it is a geeky one at that. There is an extensive list of themed cocktails and shots. Even Faramir and Wormtongue have signature drinks. Tom Bombadil hosts open mic nights, and if you drink all 10 fellowship cocktails you get a T-shirt (and a Nazgul cocktail). And donât miss the Shire-inspired Beer Garden.
1. Dernier Bar First, let's set the "bar" for our little competition. Dernier Bar Avant La Fin Du Monde is a geek of all trades. Whether you're into Steampunk or Pokemon, Star Trek or Game of Thrones, Dernier Bar has a seat for you. Geeky cocktails abound, including "The Holy Grail" and "The Dude". There is also a good selection of table-top games and rooms to set them up in. The rooms vary in theme from the clean, sci-fi "Singularity" to the Steampunk front bar and the grungy back bar that celebrates sci-fi past. There's even a karaoke room in the works.
2. Luida's Bar If the French want the "geekiest bar in the world" title, they're gonna need to take on the Japanese contender. Luida's is a Dragon Quest bar. Where Dernier Bar is omnivorous, Luida's is a specialist. The menu is chock full of Dragon Quest eats and drinks, all priced in gold coins. Order a plate of "Slime! has appeared" and a turkey leg, then wash it down with a bottle of "Elves Medicine" or a "Dwarf Latte". The staff delivers your feast in proper Dragon Quest attire. The bar even levels up. As of October 19th, Luida's is lvl 5. That means there are new rare drops in the shop, a new menu and even some new achievements that have been unlocked.
3. Donny Dirk's Zombie Den Closer to home, Donny Dirk's is Minnesota's premiere zombie-proof bunker/bar. Termed on their own site as "an oasis of makeshift civility", Donny Dirk's looks practically charming. The bartenders are yanked straight from Sean of the Dead. There are emergency chainsaws and mounted zombie heads adorning the walls, along with all manner of bric-a-brac that gives off the feeling of a make-shift apothecary rather than a watering hole. Slap on your best rotting flesh, shuffle up to the bar, and order a "Frozen Stiff". After all, the Minnesota winter is coming.
4. The Edison Originally a power plant built in 1910, The Edison now stands as homage to a world gone by. Steam generators, Absinthe, vintage attire and (of course) Edison bulbs abound. Whether your flavor is Steampunk or Speakeasy, the "industrial cathedral" that is The Edison is the place for you. Regular events include burlesque, an aerialist, a cabaret and live bands. Order a "Brass Furnace" and while away the hours of yesteryear.
5. The Magic Castle A mere eight miles from The Edison, The Magic Castle is at once one of L.A.'s quirkiest and most exclusive clubs. And it's entirely dedicated to magicians. The Magic Castle is a by-invitation (or membership) only clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts. Dinner is served in proper Victorian style and there are numerous bars and lounges hidden all over the complex. Around any corner you may find a sinister-looking character offering to show you a trick or two. Take them up on the offer. There is also a lounge populated by a ghostly pianist and her equally dead parrot. They'll take requests, but be sure to tip.
6. Gallow Green Across the continent and perched atop New York City's McKittrick Hotel, hangs Gallow Green. This rooftop bar and restaurant is at once Shakespearean and horror-inspired. Imagine the chateau from The Shining as it was while still at full occupancy and you will begin to understand The McKittrick Hotel. If mystery, allure and veiled literary references are what you geek out about, there is no better place. Cocktails can be ordered as punch bowls and the staff sometimes double as characters in the show downstairs.
7. The Way Station I would be remiss if I left New York without mentioning The Way Station. Dual themes of Dr. Who and Steampunk are the guiding lights that lead patrons to this little bar's doors. Inside they will find bronze laser weapons upon the walls, a sonic screwdriver beer tap, table-top games and cards, and even the TARDIS itself (in this incarnation the TARDIS serves as a restroom). But don't let the facilities be the extent of your visit. If you get the right bartender you'll also be able to order a "choose your own adventure" cocktail.
10. The Lovecraft In Portland, Oregon resides this disturbingly geeky homage to Cthulhu and all things H. P. Lovecraft. Visit and you will discover a small, dark hole of a place. It is replete with any number of artistic and musical guests, all seemingly complicit in humanityâs insignificance compared to the horrors of the cosmos. Tarot readings, horror movie nights and performance art are common events. Every year there seems to be a birthday celebration. Last year it was Bruce Campbell. This year? Michael Myers.
12. 1-Up If arcade gaming is more your area, 1-Up in Denver Colorado is your Mecca. There you will find not only walls of arcade games, but 15-odd pinball machines too. There are also giant Jenga towers and Skee-Ball for those who like things to be less video game-centric. There's even rumor of a 1-up burger on the menu. That, and a good selection of cheaply priced craft beers.
13. Karaoke Heroes Connecticut's only dedicated karaoke bar, Karaoke Heroes is also its only superhero bar. The wait staff wear capes and Superman-style emblems on their chests. The decor is littered with images by Marvel illustrators and the lighting fixtures will have you feeling like Adam West in a leotard. A full bar is on offer and there are three private rooms available as well as the main stage. A brand-spanking-new establishment, they've already organized a superhero pub crawl in New Haven.
14. AFK Tavern A gamer's oasis, AFK Tavern offers geeks of all sorts a chance to get together. Whether you prefer XBox 360, PS3 or PC they have you covered. Come as a group and you can play on the gaming stage. The same welcome is extended to players of Magic the Gathering, miniatures, D&D and other table-top fun. Dungeon Masters even get Happy Hour pricing all night. Theme nights abound at AFK Tavern, with Stargate, V for Vendetta and Apocalypse parties lined up in the near future. Order a "Mana Potion" or one of two available "Sonic Screwdrivers" and let your gaming geek thrive.
8. Smuggler's Cove Rum! Smuggler's Cove is a pirate bar located in the heart of San Francisco. The place is crammed full with rum, bamboo, rum, glass fishing buoys, rum, pirates, and more rum. The bar feels like it was built in the cargo hold of a wrecked clipper ship that crashed into a cave. It merges traditional Caribbean tastes with those of Prohibition-era Cuba. The perfect watering hole for a bit of modern-day privateering.
9. H. R. Giger Museum Bars Like conjoined twins, these Alien-themed bars are twin marvels. Both are in Switzerland and neither should be missed. Designed by H. R. Giger himself, they are the closest thing you can get to knowing what it is to be Ripley herself. Stone faces and carved spinal chords adorn every corner of each bar. The floor tiles are Alien hieroglyphs. The seats even have vertebrae. There is an eerie sense of decadence to them, a sort of opulence in celebration of our own predation. The H. R. Giger bars are at once geeky and terrifying.
