New arcade cocktail bar is for 'kids that never grew up'

Sharon Dargay
Hometown Life
Heather Beam presents the bar's signature cocktail, the Donkey Kong. It includes banana pudding liqueur, rum, cinnamon sea salt syrup, and is topped with a banana encrusted in caramelized sugar.

(Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect David Azar's job title with Basement Burger Bar restaurant.)

1 Up Arcade Bar in downtown Farmington is all about classic video games — right down to the craft cocktails on its menu. 

Gamers can sip drinks called Ginball Wizard and Donkey Kong while aiming for high score on one of the 28 classic video arcade games arrayed throughout the bar.  

“It’s fun. This place is for the kids that never grew up. You come in and it brings back memories,” said Azar, director of operations for Basement Burger Bar. The new arcade cocktail bar is an extension of the burger restaurant and is located steps above it at 33316 Grand River Avenue. 

“Farmington is our hometown," Azar said. "We love this town. We wanted to bring something to town that is exciting, fun and unique, just like we did with Basement Burger. We’re crafting different styles of drinks up here. We have different beers on tap than downstairs. We have different spirits, liquors. It’s just a whole different type of environment. What we offer is a little different. We hope everyone enjoys our cocktails.”

Pac-Man ghosts

Bartender Heather Beam mixes virgin drinks, like the frozen banana-flavored Donkey Kong Jr., for kids and teens who are allowed in the bar 4-8 p.m. The adult version, Donkey Kong, is a banana daiquiri with banana pudding liqueur, rum and cinnamon sea salt syrup, topped by a banana with caramelized sugar. 


Earthworm Jim features red wine, orange juice, balsamic glaze, thyme syrup and bourbon, while Ginball Wizard uses gin, elder flower cordial, True Ginger, citrus bitters and lemon. Both have become customer favorites. 

The cocktail menu also includes frozen drinks, with four named after the ghosts Blinky, Inky, Pinky and Clyde from the Pac-Man game. 

“I think the Clyde drink is going to be popular, because it comes with a bourbon-soaked peach. The Blinky is our play on a margarita. That is one of my favorites,” Beam said, noting that all syrups are made from scratch at the bar. “It’s fresh. It’s nice to know where everything came from and, on top of it, we can really play with the flavor when we make it ourselves.” 

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Customers at the bar can play classic Mario games on an overhead monitor, using a wireless controller, while they nurse their drinks. Azar designed the wall behind the bar to simulate level four of Pac-Man, with lights arranged to create the game’s iconic maze.

The term  “1 up” in video games refers to the extra life a player can acquire for his game character, keeping it “alive” and moving toward the next level of play.  

The arcade games stationed throughout the bar use tokens or quarters. Guests receive four tokens for every drink they order. There’s also a change machine on-site for those who prefer to play without drinking. 

New discovery

One recent Friday afternoon, Jason James of Farmington Hills worked his way through the first level on a classic Off-Road racing game, while his wife Sinead watched. 

“My husband is huge into video games, arcade games,” she said. “We just moved to Farmington Hills. This is our first time exploring Farmington. He was very excited when he walked by and saw 1 Up."

“We literally just walked in in off the street,” he added. “I’ve already texted a few friends to say I can’t believe this is here."

Sinead and Jason James of Farmington Hills play a video game at 1 Up Arcade Bar in downtown Farmington.

Azar has played all of the games and favors The Simpsons, NBA Jam and Off-Road, which is “popular and really old school.” 

He buys the arcade games, which cost from approximately $500 to $3,000 each. Choices are based on availability and cost. Some are priced too high and some are affordable, but require repair. Azar keeps a technician on call. 

“We’re going to be running competitions on high scores," he said. "So check for that when you’re here. If you beat the high score, you can win prizes, like tickets to major league events.”

Rental fee for the bar is $125 per hour for parties and other events. Rental customers may bring food to the bar for their events. However, no outside food is allowed in the bar during scheduled public hours, from 4 p.m. to midnight, Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday and 4-10 p.m. Sunday.  

Plans are in the works to serve warm pretzels and adult-style snacks that Azar has dubbed “not your average lunchable,” consisting of cheeses, meats, jams, honey and nuts.  

Azar also has collaborated with Farmington Brewing Co. to create a smoked pineapple pale ale that will be ready to tap and serve at both the Basement Burger Bar and 1 Up Arcade Bar this fall.  

The grand opening/Halloween party for 1 Up Arcade Bar is 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. It will feature a costume contest, drink specials and live entertainment from the School of Rock, along with magician Charlie Davis, and DJ-KJ. Ages 21 and older. 

Contact Sharon Dargay at