PEORIA MAGAZINE September 2023

DISH AND DRINK

‘JUST GAMES AND BEER’ That and Skee-Ball have proved a winning formula at 8 Bit Arcade Bar, which has moved into bigger quarters

BY PHIL LUCIANO PHOTOS BY RON JOHNSON

J ason Pacey navigates the road to success with a gaming joystick. Several years ago, he quit his job managing a drugstore. He had no real plan. He just wanted to find some fun. “Honestly, I was bored,” he said. He shook away the doldrums and found a new career with 8 Bit Arcade Bar. It features free play on a slew of old school gaming cabinets, plus a massive selection of craft-beers. It’s been a winning combo, enough to prompt a recent move to a bigger location. “Just fun,” he said with a smile. “Just games and beer.” “A LOT MORE EVERYTHING’ During Pacey’s job hiatus in 2015, a pal told him — over a beer, naturally —

systems at Illinois State University. Then this business opportunity beckoned: opening Peoria’s only arcade bar. First, he had to get his hands on some old gaming cabinets, a process that has progressed to a word-of-mouth network. “Back in the day, I was on Craigslist, eBay and all that stuff,” Pacey said. “As time went on, I met a guy, he moved me to another guy, and he had something. It just spun out of control.” Pacy’s first location, at 100 State St, was crammed with 35 cabinets, with gamers sometimes jammed cheek to jowl. Peak times could turn the place unpleasantly warm. So, spring 2023 had 8 Bit moving just up the block to 619 SW Water St., formerly home to Mack’s, Tannins & Hops Speakeasy and Rhodell Brewery.

about a new trend in pubs: arcade bars, featuring throwback gaming. “She was telling me about these pop ping up in bigger cities,” said Pacey, 43. “I checked one out and instantly fell in love.” He had been a gaming buff during his days at Peoria High School, though he let the pastime wane during his days studying business and information

12 SEPTEMBER 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE