Two Salford University graduates recently opened the Kyoto Lounge in Manchester, a bar dedicated to socializing while playing video games, according to the Manchester Evening News.
The newspaper reports that Kyoto Lounge's operators, Arjang Salehi and Fardad Izadi, did not skimp on display hardware for the new establishment, saying that the bar contains 46 high-definition TV screens and a large-scale HDMI projector for more public viewing of video games.
According to the Evening News, Salehi and Izadi plan on hosting video game tournaments and launch events at Kyoto Lounge. The venue will also play host to large viewing parties for World Cup matches when that event kicks off next month.
The two told the newspaper that they were not worried about the integrated gaming parlors found in national game retailer HMV, one of which is situated nearby. "I don't think a business like HMV is going to want to risk getting involved in a business where you have to get so many licenses, or one where you serve food," said Izadi.
Specialized gaming bars have existed in the U.S. for some time, though they are still uncommon.
