New NoDa bar to feature arcade games and craft beer

A new Charlotte bar combines what might be the nostalgic millennial's dream: craft beer and arcade games in NoDa. 

Abari, Charlotte's first arcade bar, will open between NoDa Brewing and Birdsong Brewing in "mid to late April," according to Zach Pulliam, the bar's owner. 

The new bar will feature arcade games from the 1970s through the late 1990s in a slew of categories, from racing and fighting to classics like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. Pulliam said he also plans to host tournaments of console games, including Mario Kart on Nintendo 64.

Abari will sell locally made beers from breweries including NoDa, Birdsong, Unknown and Old Meck. Pulliam said he is hiring a bar manager and several bartenders who will also help build out a cocktail menu.

"Charlotte has needed something like this for a while," Pulliam said. "Of course, you have the uptown scene and then you have the NoDa and Plaza Midwood area, but there’s nothing really like this. It’s something I myself really can’t wait to partake in."

Located at 1721 North Davidson, Abari won't serve food but will allow patrons to bring their own. Pulliam said he's also hoping to coordinate with local food trucks to have them serve outside the bar.

Inspired by the arcade bar concept he first saw in Brooklyn in 2004, Pulliam, who works in IT, said opening the bar is something he's "always wanted to do."

Abari in NoDa will feature arcade games from the 1970s through late 1990s.