Super Smash Burgers, Pika! Pika! grilled cheese sandwiches and Rainbow Road cocktails await at Pensacola’s new video game restaurant, Games and Grub at 1000 Gulf Beach Highway.
Owners and spouses Ashley Borg and Tyler Borg have been busy this year transforming the former Malibu Lounge and Package Store into a new game rental space and restaurant to connect with friends over shared gaming experiences, a tower of board games and food and drinks so good that they merit a trip of their own. After months of preparation, the gaming restaurant welcomed its first guests on Nov. 28.
The new West Pensacola restaurant is divided into two unique rooms, the Level Up Lounge and the Guild Hall, where guests can both game and order food and beverages, as well as a full bar area serving specialty cocktails, beer and wine.
Gaming at heart of new Pensacola restaurant
The project is close to the Borgs’ hearts, as gaming has been built into their relationship since the beginning, with Ashley initially being more of a PlayStation person and Tyler leaning toward Xbox, which he eventually converted her to.
Their favorite nights include Minecraft world-building with their children, DND nights with friends that have been meeting for years, or spending a couple’s vacation at Sandbox VR in Atlanta, offering immersive virtual reality experiences. Now, they have a place to escape to right here in Pensacola.
“If we wanted to go out on a date somewhere, we’re not a big bar scene people. We love video games and this kind of went from an idea sitting around smoking cigars with our friends to…’I think we could actually do something like this here in Pensacola,’” Ashley said. “It just started as a small, fun idea and through a lot of blood, sweat and tears, we kind of made it into a reality.”
Now, they hope they have created a place that feels like playing games at home without the hassle of hosting.
“I think for like a traditional household, (ours) might look a little crazy, because we literally have Xboxes in every room,” Ashley said. “It’s such a cool thing to be able to load into Minecraft with your kids and go on an adventure together. If it’s just me and my husband, we like doing a lot of campaign co-ops….it’s an easy way for us to be able to spend time together as a family without having to spend a ton of money.”
Ashley says that it’s one of the few places where video game experience is a requirement to be hired, as a “game expert” greets you when you walk in, offering guidance on which game best suits you, whether you’re looking to play solo on a PC or in a competitive group game of Mario Kart.
“They (game experts) can also make an assessment of what you’re here for, and make recommendations based on your party size or the games that you’re interested in,” Ashley said. “They’re all very, very knowledgeable.”
Console games are rented by device, with nine stations fitting anywhere from one to six people, starting at $20 per hour, including Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 1 & 2, PC games, DND and more.
“You can keep extending. You can take a break, go eat some food and go back to it,” Tyler said
In addition to the digital stations, they have about 85 board games. Whatever board games they don’t have available, you’re able to bring your own along to play.
Designed to give a living room feel with leather couches and dining room tables for spreading out your favorite game, Games and Grub was created to carry a Millennial-nostalgic flair where “adults can feel like a kid again.”
“If you’re looking for a game to play when you’re out with your friends, I would say 90% of the time we’re going to have it. And if we don’t have it, that’s something we certainly want to know, because we can go get it,” Ashley said.
During the day, the space is family-friendly for even the youngest gamers, such as her own children, but switches to an 18-and-older service starting at 8 p.m. However, all children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
“They (children) have to read through the dialogue. They have to use critical thinking. They have to solve puzzles. They have to use math. There are so many things that people don’t realize how much you use your brain when you’re playing video games,” Ashley said. “Not only is it like a fun, creative outlet for our family, but our kids, they do learn so much.”
Games and Grub restaurant menu
In addition to the gaming memorabilia on the walls, the food and drink menu was carefully curated to fit the theme. This is why you’ll see a Super Smash burger with their top-secret recipe, a Pikachu-stamp grilled cheese, or a cocktail with a Pac-Man-shaped lemon topper chasing maraschino cherry polka dots.
Ashley’s personal favorite menu item, though, would have to be the Final Fantasy Flatbread, which is “crafted by culinary mages in the kitchens of Midgar” with a thin-crust, sundried tomatoes, feta and balsamic glaze.
The menu is split up into Side Missions (appetizers,) Main Quests (entrees,) Rated “E” for Everyone (kids menu,) Bonus Loot (desserts) and more.
“We know that most people are going to be coming here for the games, but we want you to leave being surprised with how good the food is. The the food is all like, really good, solid comfort food and I feel very confident saying that,” Ashley said.
While they do offer an extensive selection of craft cocktails, they also carry each one as a mocktail, tying into the inclusivity of creating a place that offers something for everyone.
“It feels really natural because it’s something it’s a part of (us) that we love and we want to share in. The community has been super receptive of us. To me, that has been the most unexpected part, because we really weren’t sure, like, how we were going to be perceived,” Ashley said.
Games and Grub is now open to the public, but there’s still plenty more exciting updates to come, including the debut of a Dungeons and Dragons-inspired private room next year, as well as tournaments and free-play signature events going on in the public areas.
Games and Grub is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Follow Games and Grub on social media for real-time updates and information.
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