Game on: Three Lives, a bar/arcade, opens in Armory Square (photos) - syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y. — Jon Page doesn’t mind applying the word “gimmick” to his new Armory Square bar.

But he prefers to say Three Lives, which opens at 4 p.m. today at 316. S. Clinton St., has a “different vibe” than other places.

“You won’t find another place like this around here,” he said.

Three Lives is a bar, restaurant and game arcade. (You can call it a “barcade” but Page can’t: That name is trademarked by a Brooklyn-based company that has eight locations nationwide).

It’s the second hybrid bar to open in downtown Syracuse in recent weeks. The bar/barbershop combo called Empire Syracuse Barbershop & Pub opened for haircuts two weeks ago and will open for drinking and dining soon.

You can’t get a haircut at Three Lives, but you can play everything from Super Mario Bros. and Mortal Kombat II cabinet games to Xbox and Play Station consoles. And you’ll find a fully stocked bar and a menu built around “smashburgers” and “hero” sandwiches, plus munchies and more.

The cabinet games date mostly to the 1980s and ’90s. Eight are set up at any given time, but there are seven others in storage to provide a mix. They’re 25 cents per play. The bar will exchange bills for coins, but remember, there is a coin shortage.

XBox and Playstation consoles are $10 per hour, although Page is hoping to upgrade to newer versions that may boost the price. Screens are located above the bar.

There are also esports options. There will be gaming leagues and tournament, eventually.

The bar features craft beers and specialty cocktails, including a selection of “potions” that come in special beaker-style glassware. They’re meant to evoke the kind of potion a hero might consumer to become stronger, Page said.

Example potions include Health (Citron, Pama, Strawberries, and Genadine) and Stamina (Coconut Rum, White Rum, Pineapple Juice, Blue Curacao, Midori and Mountain Dew).

The menu features burgers called Smash Boys, which are smashed flat but still juicy. One example is the Blanka Burger, with house pickled veggies and sriracha mayo. The food items, from munchies to sandwiches, have names that reflect gaming culture.

“All food and drink items act as Power Ups to enhance your gaming experience,” the bar says on its Facebook page.

During the current era of coronavirus restrictions, there are limitations. Masks are required while standing, but Page is arranging the arcade games so that a party of two or so can sit together and play, and drink or dine without masks.

Based on his research, Page thinks the bar will appeal to a crowd of people ages 25 to 35, but split evenly between male and female. The hours currently are 4 p.m. to midnight Wednesday to Sunday, but in post-coronavirus times, it may stay open until 2 a.m.

“It’s probably going to be a late night place,” he said.

The Three Lives name is based on a classic gaming reference: “For a quarter, you could start with three lives” in many old games, Page said.

Page is a restaurant/bar industry veteran who is also an avid gamer. His team include his sister and chief operating officer, Nicole Page; chef Zach Cavallo and bar manager Josh DeSantis.

The location is in the building that was most recently Sugar Magnolia Bistro and before that such eateries as Byblos Bar & Grill, The Black Olive and even a Quizno’s. It’s on the same block as the Syracuse Suds Factory and across from Funk & Waffles.

“We’re definitely aiming to be forward-thinking, to bring the bar crowd and the gaming crowd together,” he said. “We have vegan- and vegetarian-friendly food options, a bunch of craft beers and custom cocktails. It’s not your average bar."

MORE ON BARS AND RESTAURANTS

All Who Wander: Manlius craft beer bar journeys to new and bigger location

It’s a bar. It’s a barbershop. This new place in Armory Square is both.

The Toast Bakery is moving from Canastota to Cazenovia

Project that re-imagines Westcott Street back on track

Some closed bars and restaurants are re-opening in CNY

Longtime diner owner buys Kelley’s, a community favorite

Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook.

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https://www.syracuse.com/restaurants/2020/08/game-on-three-lives-a-bararcade-opens-in-armory-square-photos.html

2020-08-19 17:53:00Z
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