One of my favourite developers, Cliff Bleszinski, has another passion that we both share; food and alcohol. So much so that he’s opened up a restaurant in his home town and is planning an epic beer garden soon.
Opening a cool restaurant is something I’ve always wanted to do but since I’m not a Lamborghini driving ex-developer I haven’t had the money or time to do it. Clifford has teamed up with a local restaurateur in Raleigh, North Carolina, and has turned an old gas station into a restaurant called The Station.
According to a report on Eurogamer the Gears of War creator believes running a restaurant is very similar to making a video game. It’s all about multiple systems working together in unison and ensuring the client is kept happy at all time.
It’s also about keeping the bathroom clean, which I don’t think a video game analogy exists for. The restaurant has done so well he’s now planning on creating an epic Beer Garden which will have 350 beers on tap with a large outdoor space. Now that’s my ideal bar.
He is also going to bring some of his geek culture into the beer garden with some old school arcades and pinball machines dotted around to keep the patrons entertained. I’d love to have a local videogame themed bar with a ton of craft beers but alas it doesn’t yet exist.
However there is a new pub in Fourways that does fill some of that need.
The Steamworks is a new Steampunk inspired pub that has a ton of craft beers and an awesome menu to tuck into while being surrounded by some truly epic decor.
Cliff isn’t the only videogame developer to branch out into this business though with the co-founder of Bioware, Greg Zeschuk, leaving the company to become a beer journalist. Which is the first time I’ve ever heard of my dream job. I am yet to get to Steamworks but I’ve heard the food and decor is great but the prices are a little steep. Still it looks like they’ve invested a lot into it so I’ll go throw some of my hard earned cash at them at some point in the near future.
Any other geek pubs/restaurants that you know about? Let us know in the comments below.
Last Updated: July 29, 2014
Ryanza
July 29, 2014 at 09:39
When the restaurant business doesn’t do so well. He is going to blame the second hand restaurants.
Don’t support DRM
Matthew Holliday
July 29, 2014 at 09:43
make you pay your bill befor the food arrives.
Skyblue
July 29, 2014 at 12:11
Ah but you get to choose what DLC you want with it surely then?
Matthew Holliday
July 29, 2014 at 13:11
well you’d have to, the vanilla burger comes without garnish or chips.
cosmetic options like Tomato sauce & mustard for 50% off if you pre-order it now.
Umar GAAAAHH!!!
July 29, 2014 at 09:44
LOL Second hand resturants?? What is that even lol! So customers from first hand restaurants give unfinished food to customers in the second hand restaurant 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 09:47
MacD, KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut.
Umar GAAAAHH!!!
July 29, 2014 at 09:47
Truth talk
Skyblue
July 29, 2014 at 12:12
None of those places actually sell food so you’re onto something there. I’ll stick with my Nando’s and Anat thanks.
Dutch Matrix
July 29, 2014 at 10:52
I heard the food in second hand restaurants is just shit.
Ryanza
July 29, 2014 at 09:39
When the restaurant business doesn’t do so well. He is going to blame the second hand restaurants.
Don’t support DRM
Matthew Holliday
July 29, 2014 at 09:43
make you pay your bill befor the food arrives.
Skyblue
July 29, 2014 at 12:11
Ah but you get to choose what DLC you want with it surely then?
Matthew Holliday
July 29, 2014 at 13:11
well you’d have to, the vanilla burger comes without garnish or chips.
cosmetic options like Tomato sauce & mustard for 50% off if you pre-order it now.
Umar GAAAAHH!!!
July 29, 2014 at 09:44
LOL Second hand resturants?? What is that even lol! So customers from first hand restaurants give unfinished food to customers in the second hand restaurant 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 09:47
MacD, KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut.
Umar GAAAAHH!!!
July 29, 2014 at 09:47
Truth talk
Skyblue
July 29, 2014 at 12:12
None of those places actually sell food so you’re onto something there. I’ll stick with my Nando’s and Anat thanks.
Dutch Matrix
July 29, 2014 at 10:52
I heard the food in second hand restaurants is just shit.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 09:42
Do you get to slice & dice your own Locusts with chainsaws before eating them? hur hur hur.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 09:42
Do you get to slice & dice your own Locusts with chainsaws before eating them? hur hur hur.
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 09:46
Apparently he doesn’t sell eggs at breakfast because the prices cracks people up.
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 09:46
Apparently he doesn’t sell eggs at breakfast because the prices cracks people up.
Rince&pop
July 29, 2014 at 09:48
If he doesn’t offer oversides (over-sized) pieces of meat soaked in petrol I am not interested.
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 09:48
oversides?
Rince&pop
July 29, 2014 at 09:49
lulz, ‘multipass’ not working today it would seem 😉
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 09:49
hahahaha multipass
Umar GAAAAHH!!!
July 29, 2014 at 09:48
Can I get a side of arrogance with my order please and a large glass of self-indulgence
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 09:48
SHUT UP & LIKE YOUR FOOD!
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 09:48
He tells you how to eat your food.
Umar GAAAAHH!!!
July 29, 2014 at 09:51
I can just imagine the waiters.
Waiter: Would you like to hear our specials sir?
Customer: No thank you.
Waiter: Okay, one special coming up. You’ll love it
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 09:52
I’d like another napkin.
Sorry sir that’s $5 extra
Rince&pop
July 29, 2014 at 09:48
Will this be on offer? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvR-11QEs24
Rince&pop
July 29, 2014 at 09:48
If he doesn’t offer oversides pieces of meat soaked in petrol I am not interested.
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 09:48
oversides?
Rince&pop
July 29, 2014 at 09:49
lulz, ‘multipass’ not working today it would seem 😉
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 09:49
hahahaha multipass
Umar GAAAAHH!!!
July 29, 2014 at 09:48
Can I get a side of arrogance with my order please and a large glass of self-indulgence
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 09:48
SHUT UP & LIKE YOUR FOOD!
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 09:48
He tells you how to eat your food.
Umar GAAAAHH!!!
July 29, 2014 at 09:51
I can just imagine the waiters.
Waiter: Would you like to hear our specials sir?
Customer: No thank you.
Waiter: Okay, one special coming up. You’ll love it
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 09:52
I’d like another napkin.
Sorry sir that’s $5 extra
Rince&pop
July 29, 2014 at 09:48
Will this be on offer? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvR-11QEs24
Sageville
July 29, 2014 at 09:49
Hmmm…
Sageville
July 29, 2014 at 09:49
Hmmm…
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 09:50
There used to be a nice metal/goth bar right on my way home – used to stop there occasionally for a drink after work. I used to get odd looks for being neatly dressed in a non-black proper shirt.
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 09:52
That’s because you’re a conformist………. but if they all just wear black aren’t the conforming as well?
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 09:54
I know. That confuses me.
Mossel
July 29, 2014 at 11:27
Eye of Horus?
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 11:33
YES! That’s the place.
Mossel
July 29, 2014 at 11:51
I went there a couple of times as well!
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 09:50
There used to be a nice metal/goth bar right on my way home – used to stop there occasionally for a drink after work. I used to get odd looks for being neatly dressed in a non-black proper shirt.
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 09:52
That’s because you’re a conformist………. but if they all just wear black aren’t the conforming as well?
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 09:54
I know. That confuses me.
Mossel
July 29, 2014 at 11:27
Eye of Horus?
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 11:33
YES! That’s the place.
Mossel
July 29, 2014 at 11:51
I went there a couple of times as well!
Rince&pop
July 29, 2014 at 09:53
On Special! http://i54.tinypic.com/1hr1bb.gif
Viking Of Science
July 29, 2014 at 09:53
There’s a place in Brisbane (AUS) Called “Mana Bar” which is surprise surprise a bar…. And I Believe Yahtzee Croshaw had a stake in it, was part owner at some point.
Gavin Mannion
July 29, 2014 at 11:21
yeah I’ve been there before… not bad but a little too small really
Rince&pop
July 29, 2014 at 09:53
On Special! http://i54.tinypic.com/1hr1bb.gif
Viking Of Science
July 29, 2014 at 09:53
There’s a place in Brisbane (AUS) Called “Mana Bar” which is surprise surprise a bar…. And I Believe Yahtzee Croshaw had a stake in it, was part owner at some point.
Gavin Mannion
July 29, 2014 at 11:21
yeah I’ve been there before… not bad but a little too small really
Rags
July 29, 2014 at 09:55
Is that avatar club still open in joburg? I am still conflicted about how I feel about its existence.
Viking Of Science
July 29, 2014 at 09:55
Klap Avastar…. Have you seen the video? It is pure Cringe.
Viking Of Science
July 29, 2014 at 09:57
Seriously though: For those unaware, just watch this: http://youtu.be/REeg4LW14Sk or don’t….
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 09:59
That accent though
Viking Of Science
July 29, 2014 at 10:00
That accent isn’t even the worst part of it… Weef got Lazers and Interactiff barrs”
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 10:01
It’s not 3D – it’s virtual rehality!
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 10:02
He almost got his club’s name wrong too, paused while saying it lol
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 10:01
We have flamethrowers, over eight count them eight laser lights, moving head lights, led lights, confetti machines, low “fok” machines,optic fibre chandeliers.
Best club ever!!!
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 10:06
It’s not your regular crystal chandeliers!
Rags
July 29, 2014 at 10:06
Flame flow`ers boet.
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 10:02
That one chick goois a splif hey
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 10:04
I like the guys 23 and up part
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 09:56
Avatar as in the blue navi people or the last airbender?
Rags
July 29, 2014 at 09:59
Navi, Viking of Science is on it.
Rags
July 29, 2014 at 09:55
Is that avatar club still open in joburg? I am still conflicted about how I feel about its existence.
Viking Of Science
July 29, 2014 at 09:55
Klap Avastar…. Have you seen the video? It is pure Cringe.
Viking Of Science
July 29, 2014 at 09:57
Seriously though: For those unaware, just watch this: http://youtu.be/REeg4LW14Sk or don’t….
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 09:59
That accent though
Viking Of Science
July 29, 2014 at 10:00
That accent isn’t even the worst part of it… Weef got Lazers and Interactiff barrs”
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 10:01
It’s not 3D – it’s virtual rehality!
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 10:02
He almost got his club’s name wrong too, paused while saying it lol
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 10:01
We have flamethrowers, over eight count them eight laser lights, moving head lights, led lights, confetti machines, low “fok” machines,optic fibre chandeliers.
Best club ever!!!
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2014 at 10:06
It’s not your regular crystal chandeliers!
Rags
July 29, 2014 at 10:06
Flame flow`ers boet.
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 10:02
That one chick goois a splif hey
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 10:04
I like the guys 23 and up part
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2014 at 09:56
Avatar as in the blue navi people or the last airbender?
Rags
July 29, 2014 at 09:59
Navi, Viking of Science is on it.
Sith JJ
July 29, 2014 at 10:03
“One of my favourite developers”
Trolling much
Gavin Mannion
July 29, 2014 at 11:20
Nope actually think he makes good games
Sith JJ
July 29, 2014 at 10:03
“One of my favourite developers”
Trolling much
Gavin Mannion
July 29, 2014 at 11:20
Nope actually think he makes good games
oOqUiS
July 29, 2014 at 10:31
He can sleep at night knowing Kitchen nightmares can always come to the rescue if the shait hits the fan!
oOqUiS
July 29, 2014 at 10:31
He can sleep at night knowing Kitchen nightmares can always come to the rescue if the shait hits the fan!
Mossel
July 29, 2014 at 11:23
350 beers on tap!? O_O
Everyone in Cape Town should check out Beerhouse in Long street. It has 99 different beers!
Choffel
July 29, 2014 at 11:28
There’s now a Beer House in Fourways, JHB too 🙂
Mossel
July 29, 2014 at 11:51
Nice! Beerhouse is everything.
Anon A Mouse
July 29, 2014 at 11:44
99 beers but this wine ain’t one?
Mossel
July 29, 2014 at 11:50
lol it actually has a beer that comes in a 750ml bottle. And ones that has 16% volume alcohol, so you can pretend it’s wine and drink beer.
Mossel
July 29, 2014 at 11:23
350 beers on tap!? O_O
Everyone in Cape Town should check out Beerhouse in Long street. It has 99 different beers!
Choffel
July 29, 2014 at 11:28
There’s now a Beer House in Fourways, JHB too 🙂
Mossel
July 29, 2014 at 11:51
Nice! Beerhouse is everything.
Anon A Mouse
July 29, 2014 at 11:44
99 beers but this wine ain’t one?
Mossel
July 29, 2014 at 11:50
lol it actually has a beer that comes in a 750ml bottle. And ones that has 16% volume alcohol, so you can pretend it’s wine and drink beer.
CAE9872
July 29, 2014 at 12:15
I wonder if it will sell Locust Burgers?
CAE9872
July 29, 2014 at 12:15
I wonder if it will sell Locust Burgers?
Randolf Jorberg
July 31, 2014 at 01:32
Funny, I found this article googling for “Beerhouse Fourways” to find articles about our opening and I do think we can actually answer the question “Any other geek pubs/restaurants that you know about?” positive about us, maybe in a different way than you wanted to hear: Before opening Beerhouse Cape Town and Fourways, I did start the biggest german geek community http://www.gulli.com in 1998, sold it in 2008, allowing me to now venture into new bar business… And no – I don’t think there’s too much similarity between games and bars, I just enjoy new challenges!