A new Alternative to the pub maybe??!

Dizzyblabla

Hey Guys,

I was in the pub last night, and everyone decided they were all too boring to head to a late bar and I headed down Nth Main St. and stumbled upon "Area 51" - an internet/gaming café... did I kill 3 hours without even noticing it playing X-box with whoever passed by?!
I think it'll be like the new "Cheers" - 'cept it'll be where "Everybody knows your.. handle!" ha! I was introduced to everyone by their handles, but it was great fun, and open ALL NIGHT LONG?! I only managed til 4am, but it was still really busy when I left, if I wasn't so tired I probably wouldn't have left myself!

oh well, that's my rant over! - I'll head back to the most boring night at work ever!

D-Generate

Seen that place a couple of times and it has always been packed.
As far as I know its doing a good bit of damage to other internet cafe's. Especially those that cater for gamers like Webworkhouse or the one 2 doors down from it called Wired to the World or something like that.
Fair play to Area51 though, the machines are all Alienware beasts or so I hear, i might pop in soon to check it out!
A Cork boards gaming night on the xbox perhaps hehe

fade2black

I think we spend far too much time on the internet as it is. Save the pub!!

Gone West

or connect them together. Internet cafe/Gaming cafe Pubs.

Dizzyblabla

ooh, that is such a good idea!! a gaming pub/café! - I wooped ass on the X-Box last night, don't even know what the game was called, but I was told that I was a really good button basher?!! so if we do organise a borads night out - BEWARE!!
I didn't go on one of the alienware machines, they do look pretty cool though, gone are my days of Unreal Tournament in college, I'll have to ease my way back into it I think!

invincibleirish

when i saw the title of this thread i was gonna say area 51 but then lo and behold look at the previous replies,why im posting this from area 51 it self after having played battlefield for the past 7 hours,its great.

solice

oh great, new and exciting ways to develop our social skills using a keyboard!!! and not the actual ability that we have to use our tongues in the real world

shoegirl

You could always just get broadband and play against people at home?

Sounds like they have hit on a niche there alright . . . reminds me of the early days of cybercafes when they were always packed.

^whitey^

Ohh dunno about gaming cafe's replacing the pub for a night out .... But area 51 is fairly class allright.

If it was bigger with more machines and less school kids running around the place it would be better.

Now an over 16's/18's gaming cafe there's an idea

iceman_2001_ie

This is probably a little mean, but I don't care.

While I accept that the pub-culture in Ireland has been the source of many problems, and alcohol abuse and "binge drinking" are at their worst levels since the times of Father Matthew, for young eligible men and women to give serious credance to the prospect of spending their free time, wired to a computer, playing computer games into the wee hours, is horrendous.

You should be out socialising, engaging with the opposite sex in a more constructive way than over a CAT5 Patch lead.

Pubs, especially some of the more comfortable ones, for example The Brog or Reidys (on Lancaster Quay) where you can actually HAVE a conversation without having to shout over the unnecessarily loud music (guilty as charged NewPort), are fantastic social locations.

I DO accept that Cork (and most other Irish cities) is devoid of much else to do other than drink, go to the cinema or go bowling, and I'm sure gaming is a fantastic tension release after a hard week of study or work (screaming "Die you ugly avatar!" as you f*ck them up with your BFG), but I'm glad to announce to you all that SEX RELEASES TENSION TOO!!!!

You might have a hard time pulling in some pubs in this city, but I guarantee, you won't get ANY if you spend your saturday nights in Area 51.

iceman_2001_ie

^whitey^ wrote:

Now an over 16's/18's gaming cafe there's an idea

A over 18s cafe/pub, with loads of comfortable seats, a stage for music, but NO dj box*, and a section for the gamers would be perfect.

The Mardyke is the only place in Cork which comes near to that.
They have those arcade games downstairs.

*For the record, I love dance music, but NOT in a pub.
I'll go to a club to hear it if I want.

solice

I agree with iceman. im sure you can have a great laugh playing games but it is hardly a substitute for meeting up with your mates and having an actual vocal conversation where the phrases lol, rofl, lmao, lmfao and smileys like o_0, , ;> do not feature but are actually replaced by real sounds and real facial expressions!

Fysh

I take it the irony of going on the internet to bash people who meet up socially to play games and go on the internet is lost on you both....

Never mind the fact that I can think of only 2 pubs off the top of my head that don't do the annoyingly loud music thing - the Abbey and the vineyard. Between that and being near my house, both of these rank highly in my list of quality pubs. Never mind the fact that claiming you can have a conversation in the Brog is just plain lunacy (given the original poster is talking about being out until 3 or 4 am...have you ever tried to have a conversation in the Brog past about 10pm without being hammered? Because if you had, you'd realise that it, like most pubs in Cork, ramps up the volume for no discernible reason and makes it impossible to talk without yelling).

Then again, you're talking about cork's "eligible young people", who apparently can only meet other people in the context of getting hammered. Has it ever occured to you that in order to have a good time and talk to people, all you need is to be somewhere you can relax and talk, and perhaps do something that you all enjoy?

The Mardyke is the only place I can think of in Cork that already had an idea that people want to do more than just get langers when they go out. Which is in stark contrast to various places in the UK and England where I've lived. I find it plain weird, to be honest, and I hope places like Area 51 do well purely because Cork needs a bit of variety in its nightlife options.

Dizzyblabla

Well, Iceman, being the typical male, it's all down to sex isn't it? I only suggested an alternative, not a lifestyle change, you're pretty much suggesting that even to go to the cinema with friends is a bad idea, considering you can't talk to friends in there either. If you think that sitting in Area 51 is nothing but gaming freaks who have no social skills or are not capable of holding a conversation, do remember my first post, where I was introduced to many people, and we even talked to! nice music in the background and we even ordered pizza and talked while eating! no alcohol involved at all!

As for your suggestions of pubs, yes, I even go to the Brog myself and enjoy it too, as long as I don't let it bother me when people push you out of the way to squeeze by, or when you have to queue for prolonged lengths of time at the bar to get a drink, and don't get me started on the strage smells as people get more and more drunk and sweaty in a packed pub...
The pub culture is all well and good, and maybe a few drinks can give people the courage to talk to someone that they would never do sober, but when you know you have something in common with someone else from the start, you don't need the "do you come here often" rubbish to try and chat someone up.
Is it that hard for you to meet someone without them being sh*tfaced? To be honest, with the narrow mind that you appear to have, I wouldn't be surprised...

Even D-Generate suggested a boards night out there, surely you couldn't imagine all of us just showing up and not talking or laughing? It is possible to have a good night out, without being in a pub, which is what I tried to say when I posted that I had been in Area 51. How about you stick to the pubs and leave those who enjoy the odd, or even the frequent night out gaming instead to enjoy that?

iceman_2001_ie

Fysh wrote:

I take it the irony of going on the internet to bash people who meet up socially to play games and go on the internet is lost on you both....

Ha ha.
I was at work, t'was late, my irony-radar was down from lack of caffine.

Fysh wrote:

Never mind the fact that claiming you can have a conversation in the Brog is just plain lunacy (given the original poster is talking about being out until 3 or 4 am...have you ever tried to have a conversation in the Brog past about 10pm

I have had many, sober conversations in the Brog, on every night of the week. I DETEST the pubs which "ramp up the volume" - I bloody well worked in one for ages. After closing the other pub, we'd invariably head to the Brog for a few scoops, and I always had great conversations. I especially like upstairs (I think its the old Hairy Lemon, but I never was drinking there before it closed), where I've arranged to meet some of my closest friends for sweets and bottles of pop.

Fysh wrote:

Then again, you're talking about cork's "eligible young people", who apparently can only meet other people in the context of getting hammered.

I never said that.
But its a good idea none the less - how else are ugly people going to score?

Fysh wrote:

Has it ever occured to you that in order to have a good time and talk to people, all you need is to be somewhere you can relax and talk, and perhaps do something that you all enjoy?

Yes it has occured to me, and that was my exact point above.
That's why I make reference to quieter pubs like Reidys, (quieter sections of) The Brog and the Mardyke.
And that's why I say that playing computer games is NOT the most constructive way of engaging with people.

Fysh wrote:

The Mardyke is the only place I can think of in Cork that already had an idea that people want to do more than just get langers when they go out.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - thank you for repeating what I said.
And I think the Mardkye has a winning formula.

Fysh wrote:

I find it plain weird, to be honest, and I hope places like Area 51 do well purely because Cork needs a bit of variety in its nightlife options.

I cannot disagree with you here.
Cork needs new blood in its night-time activities - especially after the pubs and clubs close. Tribes WAS a good spot, but way way too small (since they closed it on weeknights, I haven't really gone back)

I just don't think that late night computer games are the answer.

DizzyBlaBla wrote:

Well, Iceman, being the typical male,

Bitchy...

DizzyBlaBla wrote:

it's all down to sex isn't it?

Yes.
And don't pretend you don't want any.

DizzyBlaBla wrote:

I only suggested an alternative

A welcome alternative, but I repeat, I don't think that late night games are the answer.

DizzyBlaBla wrote:

you're pretty much suggesting that even to go to the cinema with friends is a bad idea, considering you can't talk to friends in there either.

I never said that, but I take your point.
That's why I always go to the cinema on my own.
AND if I do go with people, we always meet an hour before, and go for a drink after.

DizzyBlaBla wrote:

If you think that sitting in Area 51 is nothing but gaming freaks who have no social skills or are not capable of holding a conversation

Unfortunately, the precident has been set by the innumerable experiences I've had with gamers with bad hygiene and ZERO social skills. My best friend is one. I hate his f*cking rants about how great computer games are. I introduced him to Poker last year, but after a few months of absolutely savage cards action, he resorted back to his anti-social activities. I don't even ask if he's gone out Saturday night or not.

DizzyBlaBla wrote:

nice music in the background and we even ordered pizza and talked while eating! no alcohol involved at all!

Sincerely, that actually sounds really cool.
I might pop my head in tonight after the comedy show in Nancys.

DizzyBlaBla wrote:

"do you come here often"

I have never heard anybody use that line.

EVER.

And score.

But they usually get a laugh thou

DizzyBlaBla wrote:

Is it that hard for you to meet someone without them being sh*tfaced? To be honest, with the narrow mind that you appear to have, I wouldn't be surprised...

Bitchy...

I don't need to meet anybody.
I am more charming when I am a little tipsy anyway.
I don't get sh!t-faced, because I know the consequences.

I wouldn't be surprised if you are the kinda girl who has an angry, almost genetic loathing for privilege, greed, social exploitation, racism, sexism, homophobia, pro-lifers, the religious right, environmental degradation, the NRA, US imperialism, multinational corporations, big business, Republicans in general and George Bush in particular.*

Or am I making a sweeping assumption about your character?

DizzyBlaBla wrote:

It is possible to have a good night out, without being in a pub

Yes.
I know.
(for the third time)
I just don't think that late night computer games are the answer.

DizzyBlaBla wrote:

How about you stick to the pubs and leave those who enjoy the odd, or even the frequent night out gaming instead to enjoy that?

I will.

And if I feel like it, I might pop into Area 51 some night (maybe tonight) far a quick game.


Do you know if they play Age of Empires?
By the way Dizzy, which pub do you work in?




*http://redwing.hutman.net/%7Emreed/warriorshtm/pinko.htm

iceman_2001_ie

I need a cup of tea now...

Fysh

If nothing else, the above reply was...well...extensive. But I can't help the feeling that you've not had much experience of gaming cafés, from what you say.

In my limited experience, there's usually groups of friends who go along together, sit near each other while playing and generally do what they might otherwise at someone's house, if everyone had the ability to do so. In concept it's like a LAN party without the hassle. Hardcore gamers can spoil the atmosphere, but then again so can hardcore drinkers or idiots spoiling for a fight spoil a pub's atmosphere. I don't go to gaming cafes much, but I've never seen hardcore gamers be anything other than a minority there.

Of course, if you don't like videogames, it's not much good. But then, if you don't like drinking, pubs/clubs aren't much good. I know you don't have to drink to go out to pubs or clubs, but being surrounded by people getting drunk when you're sober isn't particularly fun.

Personally, speaking as someone who spent many a childhood weekend with several friends staying over, playing SNES/Megadrive/Playstation games into the early morning, this kind of thing sounds cool. If you don't like videogames, well, don't go.

I reckon a cork boards night to area 51 would be a cool idea. Who's up for it?

iceman_2001_ie

Extensive -- yeah, I guess.
I had a few minutes free this morning.
In my defence, DizzyBlaBla's assumptuous character attacks were like a red-rag to a bull. I hate that crap. So I felt morally obliged to respond.

But you are right, I don't have much experience to gaming cafes.
I had my buddies over during the Cristmas break and we were playing LAN games until 5/6 in the morning which I really enjoyed.

Fysh wrote:

Hardcore gamers can spoil the atmosphere

These are the guys I am making reference to - bad hygiene etc etc

Anyway.

I would be definately up for a night in Area 51.
Your Lyrical Waxings of the joys of late night gaming have made me curious.

Fysh

iceman_2001_ie wrote:

I would be definately up for a night in Area 51.

Sounds good - who else is up for it? So far we have:

me
iceman_2001_ie
D-generate (?)
DizzyBlaBla (?)

The more the merrier, although according to dahamsta that's still more than have ever turned up to a cork boards beers :P

iceman_2001_ie wrote:

Your Lyrical Waxings of the joys of late night gaming have made me curious.

See, I still have a working SNES with Super Mario Kart, Mario All-stars (for the battle mode in Super Mario Bros 3), and Killer Instinct (although my copy of Street Fighter 2 was sadly purloined some time ago), kept purely because of the joy of multiplayer late night gaming. There's nothing quite like the joy of beating the arse off your mate in Mario Kart Battle Mode for the 20th time in a row, then innocently asking "are you sure you don't want to play something else?"*. Mwhahaha.

*except the joy of doing the same thing to them again on Mario Kart Double Dash. Oh yeah, I'm talkin old-skool whoop-ass.

iceman_2001_ie

So, when will we go?

Dizzyblabla

ahh Iceman, no... I'm not a bit like Pinko, more like Bliss Ninny!: doesn't understand why people just can't get along. While it is entirely unintentional, Bliss Ninny's utterly vacuous comments can drive the more pugnacious Warriors into a frenzy of aggression. Often in the heat of battle Bliss Ninny will discuss her cat.

As for the bitchiness, I apologise, I just felt that you were totally dissing my opinion and making yours gospel. I do know that people are entitled to their own opinion, but telling me that mine was not good enough is just not on!

I am glad that you are willing to give it a go, and as for meeting up for a gaming night, it's a good idea, and I'd be up for it, as long as you don't mind getting your ass wooped by a girl!! I'm off the next few nights too, so just post and I'll see what I can do...

iceman wrote:

Do you know if they play Age of Empires?

*groan* no, I don't know if they have it.. if I have to I will find out though, I should be passing it tonight, although it's such a long winded game, I much prefer the fast action of X-Box, I think it was called Halo or something like that..

iceman wrote:

By the way Dizzy, which pub do you work in?

I haven't in years, about 4 years actually now that I think about it.. ooh I really am getting old!

Gone West

gaming and drink probably end in real life violence

Fysh

Who said anything about drink?

Ah, Xbox....I have the horrible feeling I need one, but it's not like I even play my Gamecube games enough to justify buying one. (Not to mention my vast collection of arcade emulators. Not that I, you know, have a problem with videogames addiction or anything. Oh no.)

As for the meet-up...I'm away this weekend (leaving on friday)and start work at 8 this week so can't really make it. Could try for sometime next week, I suppose...

Dizzyblabla

How about next Friday night then? That's the 4th March?

iceman_2001_ie

Unfortunately, Friday is not good for me.
I must venture to the western coast of our great island, to indulge my senses at the Modern day Babylon called Galway.

However, I will endeavour to attend another night.
I can't suggest a night myself, as I don't know when I am free.

Dizzyblabla

Humm.. this looks like it's getting harder and harder! I'm off to indulge my senses in Morroco for a week on Saturday, but I am off for 2 weeks aswell after that, so either post a reply or pop an email and we can have an impromptu session some evening if you do find time in your busy schedule!

Dizzyblabla

ok guys, rather than start a new thread, I thought I'd add to this one...
I was talking to a friend of mine tonight and he was asking what else there was to do in Cork other than the pub, and I was stumped, other than the cinema or pool/bowling I couldn't think of anything... can anyone recommend any other good things to do??

dahamsta

Asked and answered.