Tag: Rec Room

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We Saw You

Rec Room Reopens — With Immersive Yoga — June 5th

Kokoon Yoga is a new feature at Rec Room

Rec Room, which has been closed for about a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, will celebrate its grand reopening Saturday, June 5th, with a neighborhood festival and a completely revamped experience, which will include Memphis’ new immersive yoga studio. 

And customers will again be able to enjoy vintage pinball, arcade, and other games.

The 6,000-square-foot venue at 3000 Broad Avenue opened more than six years ago in the Binghampton neighborhood with vintage arcade games and white walls used as projection screens for video games, sports, and other digital entertainment.

Over the years, Civil Axe Throwing, 901Wrestling bi-weekly events, and Hampline Brewing were added.

Kokoon Yoga, a custom-designed hot yoga studio, is one of the new additions. 

The immersive yoga room will offer a 360-degree sensory experience, which will include video, audio, and aroma. Kokoon Yoga is a heightened, simultaneous experience for all the senses. Its practitioners believe it helps people quickly develop patience, perseverance, and other virtues.

Kokoon partner Rachel Romero describes it as “a new perspective” for those who participate “on how to enhance their physical and mental states of wellbeing for many months and years to come.”

Special pop-up, sneak peak immersive yoga classes will begin May 13th, for those who purchase a 10-day unlimited intro special at immersiveyoga.com.

 Rec Room also will feature a bigger deck, and a massive green space overlooking the Hampline bike path. Other changes include a completely revamped interior space, which will be available for work and play all day, and food menu, which will be available from morning through evening hours. It also will include a reimagined bar menu, which will include the original offerings as well as curated non-alcoholic cocktails and a selection of cold-pressed juices, smoothies, coffees, teas, and Kombucha.

A bigger deck is on tap at Rec Room.

To celebrate, Rec Room will host its first festival June 5th along with a Hampline Brewing tap-takeover, Civil Axe Throwing, and Metro Hemp Supply. Live music, food trucks, family activities, and yoga will be included along with the vintage pinball and other games.

For more information, go to recroommemphis.com and immersiveyoga.com or follow on Facebook at @recroommemphis and @immersiveyoga, and Instagram at @recroommemphis and @kokoonyoga, or on TikTok at @kokoonyoga.

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We Recommend We Recommend

Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Find Out at this Trivia Night

CREDIT: Cerrito Trivia

Think you’re smarter than a fifth grader? Test your wits at Cerrito Trivia’s “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” game night at either Rec Room or Dan McGuinness Southaven this Tuesday.

Kevin Cerrito, founder and operator of Cerrito Entertainment, says this game is perfect for those who are intimidated by typical trivia nights.

“Oftentimes, people will be like, ‘Oh, it’s too hard,'” he says. “Well, this shouldn’t be too hard for you. These are all questions a fifth grader should know the answer to.”

Cerrito Trivia

Are all squares rectangles? Are all rectangles squares?

Cerrito says the idea to quiz people’s fifth-grade knowledge came from their monthly game show night, wherein each round is modeled around different game shows. The Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? theme became such a hit, they built an entire trivia night around it. And with the spring semester beginning this month, Cerrito says this is a great time for teachers to sharpen their thinking skills.

“Teachers love it,” he says. “Or they hate it, depending on the question.”

While Rec Room will be 18+, attendees at the Dan McGuinness Southaven location may be able to call on their children for help.

“It’s definitely to your advantage if you can bring a fifth grader because a lot of it is based on the TV show,” says Cerrito. “So much of it is stuff that you just forgot. Things that may not have been a life skill but you really needed to pass school, like outlining a sentence or something.”

Play ”Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?” in Memphis or North MS, Tuesday, January 14th, Dan McGuinness Southaven (3964 Goodman E., 6:30-8:30 p.m.) and Rec Room (3000 Broad, 8-10 p.m.), free, must RSVP on eventbrite.com.

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News News Feature

Party Like It’s 2020: Our NYE Guide

It’s been 20 years since 1999 — and 37 years since Prince released his end-of-the-world party album 1999 in 1982 — but we’re still going to party like it’s the end of the decade. That’s right, the “new” millennium is out of its difficult teen years and almost old enough to buy itself a drink or rent a car. Hopefully we’ve all gained some wisdom, but now’s not the time for quiet reflection. It’s time to par-tay! Here’s our guide to some of Memphis’ most happening events this New Year’s Eve.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

The 61st annual bowl game is perfect for those who want to celebrate without staying out too late. Navy vs. Kansas State. Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Tuesday, December 31st, 2:45 p.m.

Beale Street’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

Say goodbye to 2019 amid Beale’s 188 years of history with a party with live music, dancing, fireworks, food, drinks, and a giant mirror ball. No purchase necessary to attend, but remember, Beale Street is 21+ after dark. Beale Street, Tuesday, December 31st, 5 p.m.

Lord T. & Eloise

Lord T. & Eloise’s New Year’s Eve Ball

A night of decadence, desire, and debauchery promises to descend upon revelers at the newly reopened Black Lodge, with performances by Model Zero, Glorious Abhor, Louise Page, and Memphis’ most aristocratic rappers, Lord T. & Eloise. There will also be aerial and dance performances from Poleuminati and a light show from Queen Bea Arthur. Dance, dance, dance among the DVDs! Black Lodge, Tuesday, December 31st, 9 p.m. $20.

The PRVLG

New Year’s Eve at Hattiloo Theatre

Kortland Whalum, Talibah Safiya, and The PRVLG will perform, and comedian P.A. Bomani will deliver the end-of-year chuckles. Admission includes a flute of champagne and party favors, and the FunkSoul Cafe will be open, as well. Hattiloo Theatre, Tuesday, December 31st, 9 p.m.

New Year’s Eve at Graceland

Party like a king — or at least where the king of rock-and-roll used to party. Experience the “wonder of New” Year’s with this dinner and dance party at Elvis’ old stomping grounds. Roby Haynes and Party Plant perform, and admission includes a buffet dinner and midnight champagne toast. The Guest House at Graceland, Tuesday, December 31st, 7 p.m. $125.

Peabody New Year’s Eve Party

Ring in the new year in style at the South’s grand hotel. With music by Almost Famous, Seeing Red, and DJ Epic and a VIP section that includes party favors, hors d’oeuvres, and unlimited champagne, this party will help revelers set a sophisticated tone for the new year. The Peabody, Tuesday, December 31st, 8 p.m. $40-$175.

Quintron & Miss Pussycat’s New Year’s Eve

A New Year’s tradition. Hash Redactor and Aquarian Blood perform.Admission includes a free champagne toast and the balloon drop at midnight.

Hi Tone, Tuesday, December 31st, 8 p.m. $20.

Dale Watson & his Lone Stars with Honky Tonk Horn Section

This honky tonkin’ hootenanny is the Hernando’s Hide-A-Way way of ringing in the new year and a new decade. With a champagne toast, black-eyed peas, and cornbread to get the year started off on the right cowboy boot. Hernando’s Hide-A-Way, Tuesday, December 31st, 9 p.m.

New Year’s Eve with Spaceface

The Young Avenue Deli has a brand-new sound system, and there’s no better way to test it out than with a rockin’, raucous band. Ring in 2020 with Memphis’ most theatrical psychedelic party band. Champagne toast at midnight.

Young Avenue Deli, Tuesday, December 31st, 9 p.m. $15.

New Year’s Eve with Star & Micey

Railgarten is Midtown’s backyard, so it’s only right that they should invite local legends Star & Micey to help sing in the new year. For those who “Can’t Wait” for 2020, don’t try to Get ‘Em Next Time — get to this party this year. Daykisser opens. Railgarten, Tuesday, December 31st, 9:30 p.m.

New Year’s Eve Lantern Hike

Celebrate the new year in nature. Ranger Gooch leads this lantern-lit, two-mile hike through the woods. S’mores and hot chocolate or hot apple cider await attendees at the end of the hike. Remember to dress for the weather, and please leave flame-lit lanterns at home. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, Tuesday, December 31st, 11:30 p.m. $5.

Roaring ’20s New Year’s Eve Party

Giggle water at midnight, eh old chum? Admission includes an open wine and beer bar, a midnight champagne toast, and hors d’oeuvres. All proceeds go to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis. 616 Marshall, Tuesday, December 31st, 8 p.m. $75-$150.

Spectrum XL Goes to Minglewood

Ain’t no dance party like a Spectrum dance party. The storied club brings its end-of-the-year dance party to Minglewood. Bring your own sequins and glitter. Proceeds benefit Friends for Life. Minglewood Hall, Tuesday, December 31st, 9 p.m. $30-$125.

New Year’s Eve Bash at B.B. King’s

Maybe the best way to ensure you don’t get the blues in 2020 is to ring in the new year by dancing to the blues at B.B. King’s. Tickets include open wine and beer bar, midnight champagne toast, and hors d’oeuvres. B.B. King’s Blues Club, Tuesday, December 31st, 6 p.m. $25 (general admission), $100 (dinner package).

Back to the ’20s

Another early-night option, Crosstown Brewing’s New Year’s shindig includes music by Graham Winchester, dinner catered by Next Door American Eatery, and the debut of I Am Brut — a Brut IPA for those non-champagne drinkers out there. Crosstown Brewing Company, Tuesday, December 31st, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Beauty Shop New Year’s Eve

A four-course dinner with the swinging, sultry sounds of Gary Johns & His Mini Orchestra. Call 272-7111 for reservations. Beauty Shop, Tuesday, December 31st, 5 p.m.

Toast to the ’20s

Tin Roof gets the new year going with music from Chris Ferrara, Bluff City Bandits, The Common Good, DJ Stringbean, and DJ ZewMob. Champagne toast at midnight. Tin Roof, Tuesday, December 31st, 6 p.m., $30.

New Year’s Party at Gold Club

Okay, so the family-friendly holidays are over. The little turkeys and reindeer have all been put to bed before midnight, and the adults will play. It’s time to get down and dirty and let the new year come in hot and heavy. Party with a balloon drop, dance and drink specials, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Gold Club Memphis, Tuesday, December 31st, all night long.

New Year’s Eve on the Terrace

Ring in the new year against the stunning backdrop of the Mississippi River and the colorful Mighty Lights bridge light show. What’s more Memphis than that? Call 260-3366 for reservations. Terrace at the River Inn, Tuesday, December 31st, 4 p.m.

Y2K New Year’s Dance Party

Remember the Y2K panic of 1999? The computers couldn’t understand a new millennium. A nine becoming a zero was going to cause worldwide nuclear meltdown. Anyway, let’s relive that end-of-year mass hysteria — with drinks and dancing! Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Y2K with end-of-the-world drink specials, DJs spinning tunes, and dancing throughout the night. Rec Room, Tuesday, December 31st, 8 p.m.

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Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Highland Axe & Rec to open Sept. 4th

CREDIT: MIchael Donahue

MIchael Donahue

Highland Axe & Rec offers three lanes and six targets for axe throwing.


It’s time to start limbering up. Highland Axe & Rec opens Sept. 4th at 525 South Highland.

It’s safe to say this 5,000-square-foot venue isn’t your usual Highland Strip watering hole.

Highland Axe offers three lanes with six targets. People stand behind a line and throw an axe and try to hit the target.

It also offers food, two bars, games, three 12-by-10 foot projector screens, and three other TVs, plus plenty of seating. Highland Axe also has a basketball-throwing machine and  video game arcades and pinball machines.

But let’s start with the axe throwing.

Throwing that axe isn’t easy at first. I tried it twice and hit the flat of the axe against the wall both times.

Taylor Berger, managing partner in Partymemphis.com, which owns Highland Axe, Rec Room, Railgarten, and Loflin Yard, showed me the proper way to throw. You hold the axe in two hands with arms raised, take two steps forward, and throw. Berger’s throw, by the way, was right on the money.

You might have thrown an axe or two if you’ve been to the Rec Room. But Highland Axe is the ultimate when it comes to axe throwing. The back area, where the lanes are located, also includes a wide-screen TV, a bar, beer pong and seating for about 30 people. That space was a storage area until they converted it, Berger says.

Why axe throwing? “I got hooked on playing,” Berger says. He’d go to Rec Room with his buddies after the kids had gone to bed and throw some axes. But there’s no kitchen at Rec Room. Now, at Highland Axe, you can eat, drink and be an ax champion.

The main area includes three living room areas, each with its own set of couches and giant projector screen. You can rent out the seating areas to play video games, or, if nobody is renting them, you can relax and watch sports.

Berger installed a deluxe sound system, which will come in handy at Highland Axe dance parties and DJ nights. He also will offer occasional live music.

The menu includes a variety of appropriately-named items, including the “Axe,” “Big Axe,” and “Fat Axe” (thee patties) hamburgers.

The “Kick Axe Chicken Sammie” is a whole, marinated fried chicken breast with melted cheese, served plain, buffalo, or chicken jerk style. Chef Russell Casey came up with the menu.

I’m intrigued by the “Bad Axe Pop-Tarts,” which are pancake battered deep-fried strawberry Pop-Tarts with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles. You get two to an order.

Movie posters from famous axe-related movies, including Friday the 13th, Golden Axe, American Psycho, The Shining, and So I Married an Ax Murderer, will hang on the walls.

Will they actually run axe movies at Highland Axe?

“Frequently. Yes,” Berger says.

Highland Axe & Rec will be open from 4:30 p.m. until late on weekdays and 11 a.m. until late on weekends.

Michael Donahue

People can play games or watch sports on giant projector screens in comfy living room areas.

Michael Donahue

Taylor Berger

Michael Donahue

Taylor Berger shows how it’s done.

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Memphis Gaydar News

Weekender: Queer Fest 2, Big Top Tease, Pride at The Pump

FRIDAY

Memphis Queer Fest 2, Day 2
Hi-Tone
7 p.m.
$10

7 p.m. — Hormonal Imbalance
7:45 p.m. — Nefarious Damn Thing
8:20 p.m. — Boyfriend
9:00 p.m. — Androids of Ex-Lovers
9:40 p.m.— Tom Violence
10:20 p.m. — Beg
11:00 p.m. — Waxjaw
11:40 p.m. — Risky Whispers

Big Top Tease: Volume II
Dru’s Place
9 p.m.
$10

“QCG Productions will be taking the stage at Dru’s Place for a night you will not want to miss! There will be circus acts, dance, fire, acro, and more! Come see the sexy side of the circus and have. Fun night with us!”

SATURDAY:


Memphis Queer Fest 2: Day 3 — Day Show
Midtown Crossing Grill
2 p.m.
$5

2 p.m. — TBA
2:40 p.m. — Party Pat
3:10 p.m. — Androids of Ex-Lovers
4 p.m. — Hardagay

Memphis Queer Fest 2: Day 3 — Evening Show
Hi Tone
6 p.m.
$10

6 p.m. — Dixie Dicks
6:40 p.m. — Three Brained Robot
7:20 p.m. — Lackluster
8:00 p.m. — Craigzlist Punks
8:20 p.m. — Hummin’ Bird
9:20 p.m. — Tears For The Dying
10 p.m.— Lovergurl
10:40 p.m. — Wick and the Tricks
11:10 p.m. — The Gloyholes

Stand-up schedule:
7:10 p.m. — Joe Griz
7:50 p.m. — Lisa Michaels
8:30 p.m. — Josh McLane
9:10 p.m. — Jay Jackson
9:50 p.m. — Vala Bird
10:30 p.m. — Hann Cowger
11 p.m. — MOTH MOTH MOTH


Smith7 Pants Tour Benefiting OUTMemphis
Rec Room
7 p.m.
18 and over show
$5 cover

XVII TRILL – hip hop
PXLS – video game cover band
Wicker – Chaos rock
Ruzka – Fallout rock
Super Smash Bros Tournament

Pride At The Pump Part 2: The Pink Party
The Pumping Station
10 p.m.
No cover

“The Pump started World Pride Month with an incredible party! Now, we’re doing it again as part of the month’s closing ceremonies! Come join us and show your true colors! Pink and/or Pride attire (from tank tops to tutus – to whatever) is encouraged!

“In honor of the occasion and our community, and by popular demand, Record Player is serving up an encore play of his Pride DJ set that had the place packed with people dancing and singing all night long as we opened Pride Month!”

A Night with the Legends! – End of PRIDE Month Extravaganza!
Club Spectrum
9 p.m.
$15-$200

“Six of Memphis’ biggest names hit the stage as legendary music stars to help throw the Biggest Goodbye to Pride month you’ve ever seen! This show will feature:

Freak Nasty as Tina Turner
Keleigh Klarke as Adele
Iris LeFluer as Madonna
Slade Kyle as Bella DuBalle
Aubrey Ombre as Mariah Carey
Jerred Price as Sir Elton John
Obsinity as Reba McEntire

SUNDAY:

Memphis Queer Fest 2: Day 4
Dru’s Place
3 p.m.
$7

3:00 p.m. — Queer Circus Girls
4:45 p.m. — Stay Fashionable
5:30 p.m. — Midtown Queer
6:20 p.m. — Exit Mouse

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We Recommend We Recommend

Whiskey + Doughnuts at the Rec Room

Whiskey + Doughnuts co-founder Patrick Culligan believes that a drunk man’s words are a sober man’s thoughts. “It’s really funny, because none of us while sober, thinking as adults, will say that this is a good pairing of things,” he says, building to an inevitable however. “If you attend the event, you will be convinced otherwise. You’ll believe the combination of the two is amazing. I’m told that every single time, by many people, whenever we do this. That may be because they’re a little intoxicated. But it’s probably because there’s some truth to it. I think.”

Whiskey + Doughnuts is exactly what it sounds like. It’s an opportunity to sample a variety of regional whiskeys and to taste sweet, doughy creations by the Memphis area’s finest doughnut-makers. “It’s really cool because it’s very focused,” Culligan says. “There’s not any wine or any beer. There are no cupcakes. It’s just as simple as that. Doughnuts. Whiskey.”

Culligan says it all began as a joke. He and his friends were making fun of food festival trends. “Bacon had jumped the shark,” he says. “We love whiskey, and we love doughnuts, and even though we know these things don’t go together, we were going to put them together anyway.”

The original Whiskey + Doughnuts crew expected 50 to 75 people at their first event. More than 300 showed up. “It was crazy,” Culligan says. “I had to run out and get more doughnuts at the last second.”

Details are still shaking out, but Whiskey + Doughnuts promises between 15 to 25 whiskeys to sample. And just a whole bunch of doughnuts. “That’s really it,” Culligan says, summing it all up. “Simple.”

Also, the first 15 Elvises to show up in full Elvis costumes get in free. So, there’s that.

Categories
News The Fly-By

Rec Room Bar-arcade Opens on Broad

CREDIT: Justin Fox Burks

Sure you were good at Street Fighter II in your old teenage mall arcade days, but can you still get that K.O. after a few craft beers?

Beginning this week, fans of retro arcade games will have the chance to brush off their skills at the Rec Room, a new arcade bar inside a warehouse at 3000 Broad Avenue. The venture — spearheaded by a partnership group that includes entrepreneur Taylor Berger and Buckman chemical sales executive Bill Ganus among others — will feature a number of 1980s and ’90s arcade games as well as mini-living rooms set up with retro gaming consoles.

“This is about the last 40 years of pop culture. Video games trigger such visceral memories of being a teenager or even younger than that. We have Nintendo Power. We have old [school gym] bleachers where you can sit and have a beer,” Berger said. “All of these things trigger these really cool memories.”

Justin Fox Burks

Vintage arcade games at the Rec Room

Standing arcade floor games include Pac Man, Street Fighter II, Donkey Kong, Tron, Burger Time, and Road Blasters, among others. But groups can also rent one of six mini-living rooms — complete with couches and chairs — by the hour to play games on gaming consoles. The games, everything from Atari 2600 to Xbox 1 and PlayStation 4, are projected onto a wall.

“We were standing in this 6,000-square-foot warehouse, and we knew it could be an arcade,” Ganus said. “But even with the [floor] games in there, you’re staring at this huge concrete slab wall. We thought, ‘It would be really bad if we projected old-school consoles up on the wall, so your friends could come in, sit on a couch, and play two-player Contra on a 25-foot screen.”

Video games not your thing? In true rec room fashion, the bar has darts, foosball, ping-pong tables, air hockey, and cornhole boards.

Berger said they lucked onto the massive warehouse space because a friend of his is planning to open another business in part of the space.

“He had 6,000 extra square feet that he wasn’t using,” Berger said.

At first, the bar will serve four rotating styles of beer from Wiseacre Brewing Company, as well as some nationally distributed beers by Sweetwater and Oskar Blues Brewery. The Truck Stop food truck, which debuted at last year’s “Untapped” event at the Tennessee Brewery, will be on-site at the Rec Room peddling tacos. Bluff City Biscuits will sell biscuit sandwiches. The bar is open seven days a week, opening at 4 p.m. on week days but earlier on weekends.

“We’re opening at 10 a.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday so people can ride over on the [Shelby Farms] Greenline in the morning, eat and play, and ride home,” Berger said.

The bar, near Tillman and Broad, sits on the soon-to-be-constructed Hampline bicycle path, which will run from Overton Park to the Greenline. The partnership group behind the venture, which includes 12 people including Berger and Ganus, is hoping the bar’s location near Tillman will help spur revitalization of the eastern side of Broad.

“There’s definitely room to expand Broad Avenue, especially as the Hampline is developed. It’s made this a really important corridor to connect the High Point area with Overton,” Ganus said.

Though the bar-arcade concept isn’t new, Berger said the Rec Room is different because it’s about transforming an outdated industrial park into something new and fun.

“This ain’t no Dave & Buster’s. This is a warehouse in Binghampton,” Berger said.

Categories
News News Blog

Rec Room Bar-arcade Opens on Broad April 1st

On Wednesday, fans of retro arcade games will have the chance to brush off their skills at the Rec Room, a new arcade bar inside a warehouse at 3000 Broad Avenue.

The venture — spearheaded by a partnership group that includes Taylor Berger, Bill Ganus, Barry and Blake Lichterman, Andy Cates, Michael Tauer, and several others — will feature a number of 1980s and ’90s arcade games as well as mini-living rooms set up with retro gaming consoles.

Standing arcade floor games will include Pac Man, Street Fighter II, Donkey Kong, Tron, Burger Time, Road Blasters, among others. But groups can also rent one of six mini-living rooms — complete with couches and chairs — by the hour to play games on gaming consoles. The games, broadcast from everything from Atari 2600 to Xbox 1 and Playstation 4, will be projected onto a wall.

At first, the bar will serve four rotating styles of beer from Wiseacre Brewing Company, as well as some nationally distributed beers by Sweetwater and Oskar Blues Brewery. The Truck Stop food truck, which debuted at last year’s “Untapped” event at the Tennessee Brewery, will be on-site at the Rec Room peddling tacos. Bluff City Biscuits will sell biscuit sandwiches. The bar will be open seven days a week, opening at 4 p.m. on week days but earlier on weekends.

Check out this week’s Memphis Flyer for more details. Until then, check out these pics from Flyer photographer Justin Fox Burks of Rec Room’s Monday night soft opening.

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