You might be asking yourself what makes a bar, a "geek bar"? Well, you'd have to look at its culture. Taking cue from the 42 Lounge in Milwaukee, a geek bar is an establishment that celebrates all facets of geek culture and provides a social setting for people that are ultra-passionate about geekdom. So that means if you want to discuss the physics behind what makes a warp drive tick on the U.S.S Enterprise or challenge the merits of each of the Doctor's companions (Rose will always have a special place in my heart) you can. As owner's, Anthony and Lynn Nilles have put it, the goal of 42 Lounge was, "to create a first-class night club, that anyone could get into, but is done in a nerd way" (Technophile Podcast 187). To me, what makes that quote important is "anyone could get into". Both Anthony and Lynn Nilles realize that some people might be put off by a bar if it's only catered to one particular set of people. I'm looking at you Schoolyard. However, the owners of 42 Lounge have created a geek bar that doesn't go overkill on its geekiness, but also manages to be accessible to people that may not be as entrenched in this particular culture.
The stigma that "geeks" or "nerds" were anti-social or awkward in social settings is nearly been obliterated by the existence of geek bars and conventions. Take for example the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary special and the event that 42 Lounge threw. Fans of Doctor Who could have easily sat at their homes and watched singularly by themselves. Instead, fans in the Midwest area literally lined up out of the 42 Lounge till it was literally packed to capacity, just to watch the special in a social setting with other fans. Geek bars, like the 42 Lounge, offer a comfortable social setting where geeks can be geeks without stigmatized attitudes.
Personally, I love getting incredibly geeky when it comes to conversations. So when the 42 Lounge opened I was incredibly excited and impressed at how well they've captured the perfect essence of the geek culture. No matter how many times I've gone, I always find a random stranger that I can connect with because we share a common interest. So do yourself a favor and grab a drink at the 42 Lounge.
Source: http://www.technophilespodcast.com/187-42-lounge-pax-east-part-1/
Photo Source: http://bobber.discoverwisconsin.com/media/42lounge.jpg
I think geek bars are a best way to find people who have same interest as you do in geek culture. I remember the first time I went to 42 to lounge I was excited to do many things in there. I've been going back to play some games while enjoying the atmosphere and people who love Mario kart. I wouldn't agree on geeks being anti-social. They might be towards people who don't understand nerd culture, but when it comes to discussing in their safe and comfortable zone they are very much interested in discussing their favorite characters.
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome that the owners, and bar goers don't feel like Geek bars are only for "geeks" altough to me it seems kind of like they are even if the exclusion isn't intentional! The owners themselves said they felt like some people are turned off that they cater to a specific group. Being an outside looking in, it doesn't seem like a bar I would feel comfortable going to because I would feel like I wouldn't fit in, even at the end of the second paragraph it was pointed out how Geek bars like the 42 Lounge give "geeks" a place to hangout without the stigma of being a "geek". As again an outsider looking in that statement makes it seem like this place is really here for "geeks" and it could drive away business from people who don't fully fit in with the group they're aiming for. Either way I think it sounds like an awesome bar and the concepts behind it are cool but Geek bars seem like they're almost more exclusive then even the fanciest of bars!
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