With Tim Horton’s opening up esports themed coffee shops in China, it got the Inven Culture team thinking about their favorite places, from the before times, where we enjoyed watching esports in person. Whether we are hitting those thundersticks at the Esports Arena Las Vegas or ordering up a Semmler at the Guildhall Bar in Burbank, CA, there is a viewing experience here for everyone.
The list is broken down into US regions with their current opening status included at the top. Each state’s stay-at-home mandates differ, so this list will be updated as we receive new information. Be sure to bookmark this page to keep up to date!
City: Burbank, CA & Whittier, CA
Current Status: OPEN
With an overwhelming amount of shout-outs and recommendations on twitter, The Guildhall is the premier go-to spot for esports viewing. Not only do they have plenty of TVs to catch the latest Overwatch League match on, but you can also fill your time between matches with their robust collection of tabletop games! Be sure to come with an empty stomach as their menu is killer. The crispy chicken strips are BONKERS. You can find Guildhall at two locations in Southern California, either in Whittier or Burbank.
We were elated to receive a statement from their owner Spencer who says,
“We chose to close down completely after the July 1st closure of dine-in. We all needed a break from the ever-shifting COVID information so we took all of July and August off. We've been working the past two weeks to get re-open by building an outdoor patio and will be back open Thursday-Sundays from 5-10 pm. We don't have any TVs outside so we won't be filling up to have esport viewing parties until people are allowed inside. But we will be doing takeout and delivery (Grubhub and Doordash) as well as filling growlers and canning cocktails to-go.”
LCS Studio (aka the League of Legends Arena)
City: Santa Monica, CA
Current Status: CLOSED
Though the local NA arena is unfortunately closed, Worlds will continue as normal in Shanghai, China this year. You can tune in from the comfort of your own home beginning today Friday, September 25th.
City: Santa Ana, CA
Status: CLOSED
City: Oakland, CA
Current Status: CLOSED
As of March 16th, all in-person events at Esports Arena’s California locations are currently suspended, but they are hosting plenty of weekly online tournaments for titles such as Apex Legends, Valorant, and more! Visit their twitter to learn more.
City: Portland, OR
Current Status: CLOSED
According to a tweet from Sept. 3rd, Outrage is currently closed until further notice. Once they do re-open you can grab a drink from their solid selection of beers on tap or themed cocktails like the Slurp Juice or Thai Breaker.
HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas
City: Las Vegas, NV
Current Status: OPEN
HyperX Esports Arena located inside The Luxor hotel on the Las Vegas strip, is currently open for business. You can read about their safety precautions and what to know before your visit on their website. In addition to an arena, you can get your own game on in their lounge, grab something from the merch shop, or try some eats from their kitchen. Sincerely appreciate that the ‘Two Egg Breakfast’ is served until 4 pm, this place understands the late-night gaming session.
Twitch Lounge at Allegiant Stadium
City: Las Vegas, NV
Current Status: AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE BOOKINGS ONLY
According to official Raider’s News the Twitch Lounge includes activities native to the Twitch experience like streamer stations, viewing screens, eventual esports tournaments, and more. Though the stadium will not host any in-person events for the remainder of 2020, the Twitch Lounge is currently available for private bookings.
City: Arlington, TX
Current Status: OPEN
Esports Stadium calls themselves the largest esports stadium in North America and with 100,000 square feet, boasts a robust LAN Center (bring your own peripherals!), merch shop, and multiple spaces to book your next event in. Anyone down for a road trip to Texas? I found the venue for my next birthday shindig.
City: Philadelphia, PA
Current Status: EXPECTED OPENING 2021
Credit: Fusion Arena
Though the Blizzard Arena in Burbank, CA is no more (“press F”), Overwatch League has taken it upon themselves to build local arenas of their own. The move makes sense since beginning in 2020, all teams moved out of Los Angeles to their respective cities. We’ll meet the first of these venues, the Philadelphia Fusion’s Fusion Arena in 2021.
According to the site, “The arena itself will offer unique seating experiences including two balcony bars, club seats with USB ports, flexible loge boxes, and exclusive suites. The training facility in particular separates the Fusion from the pack, offering an unrivaled experience and development opportunities for players.”
City: New York, NY
Current Status: CLOSED
Though Waypoint is currently closed due to the pandemic, this cafe is a great spot to grab your favorite coffee drink and catch your fave streamer or esports event while you’re there. If you want to get your game on they also offer a lounge with 30 PC stations equipped with Roccat peripherals.
City: Orlando, FL
Current Status: CLOSED
Part of Walt Disney World, ESPN’s Wide World of Sports has been hosting traditional sporting events since 1997. The complex houses nine venues outfitted to fit any type of sports including their latest addition, esports. Though the venue is currently closed, their latest event, the 2020 Walt Disney World EGF High School National Championship is going online.
As stated above, this is an ever-growing document that we intend to keep updating as businesses re-open. Did we miss your favorite esports watering hole? Please email or ping us on twitter with a link!
Are you the owner of a business featured above? Please let us know how fans can support you during these challenging times. Gift cards? Merch? Ordering take-out? We want to hear from you!
Looking for more esports culture? We got you.
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