Mana Bar

{{Use Australian English|date=June 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox venue | name = The Mana Bar | image = Playing games - Mana Bar Opening (4448238440).jpg | image_caption = Patrons playing videogames | nickname = | address = 420 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley | location = Brisbane, Australia | coordinates = {{Coord|27|27|35.24|S|153|2|12.57|E|scale:195_region:AU|display=inline,title}} | type = Bar | event = | built = | opened = 20 March 2010<ref name="MCV">{{cite web | url=http://www.mcvuk.com/press-releases/56299/Mana-Bar | title=Mana Bar opening event on Saturday, 20th of March | date=3 March 2010 | accessdate=16 May 2010 | work=MCV }}</ref><ref name="DESTR"> {{cite web | url=http://www.destructoid.com/the-mana-bar-australia-s-first-gaming-destination-168454.phtml | title=The Mana Bar: Australia's first gaming destination | date=23 March 2010 | accessdate=16 May 2010 | work=Destructoid | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528092535/http://www.destructoid.com/the-mana-bar-australia-s-first-gaming-destination-168454.phtml | archive-date=28 May 2010 | url-status=live }} </ref> | renovated = | expanded = | closed = 24 May 2015<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/digital-life/games/game-over-for-gaming-hangout-mana-bar-20150520-gh5ts6 |title=Game over for gaming hangout Mana Bar |first=Natalie |last=Bochenski |work=Brisbane Times |date=20 May 2015 |accessdate=24 May 2015 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923221128/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/digital-life/games/game-over-for-gaming-hangout-mana-bar-20150520-gh5ts6 |url-status=live }}</ref> | demolished = | owner = Morrigan Moore | construction_cost = | former_names = | seating_type = | seating_capacity = 50<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.manabar.com.au/mana_bar_bookings.pdf |title=Functions and Bookings Packages |quote=The Mana Bar has a 50 person maximum capacity... |accessdate=1 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331103618/http://www.manabar.com.au/mana_bar_bookings.pdf |archive-date=31 March 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | website = {{URL|https://web.archive.org/web/20120401084154/http://www.manabar.com.au/|www.manabar.com.au}} }}

The '''Mana Bar''' was the first Australian cocktail bar and video gaming lounge located in Brisbane, Australia within its biggest night-life and entertainment district, Fortitude Valley.<ref name="MCV"/><ref name="DESTR"/><ref> {{cite magazine | url=https://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/01/11/australia-opening-first-video-game-pub-mana-bar.aspx | title=Australia Opening Their First Video Game Pub, Mana Bar | date=11 January 2010 | last=Turi | first=Tim | access-date=16 May 2010 | magazine=Game Informer | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523185618/http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/01/11/australia-opening-first-video-game-pub-mana-bar.aspx | archive-date=23 May 2010 | url-status=live }} </ref><ref name="Joystiq"> {{cite web | url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/10/yahtzee-and-others-to-open-australian-video-game-bar/ | title=Yahtzee and others to open Australian video game bar | last=Gilbert | first=Ben | date=10 January 2010 | work=Joystiq | accessdate=16 May 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412164750/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/10/yahtzee-and-others-to-open-australian-video-game-bar | archive-date=12 April 2010 | url-status=live }} </ref><ref name="IGNUK"> {{cite web | url=http://uk.games.ign.com/articles/105/1059889p1.html | title=Australia's First Dedicated Videogame Bar Opening February 2010 | date=11 January 2010 | accessdate=16 May 2010 | work=IGN | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713005331/http://uk.games.ign.com/articles/105/1059889p1.html | archive-date=13 July 2011 | url-status=live }} </ref> The bar held its opening event on 20 March 2010.<ref name="DESTR"/> The bar allowed visitors to play current generation gaming consoles free of charge while enjoying video game themed drinks.<ref name="MCV"/><ref name="Joystiq"/><ref name="IGNUK"/><ref name="GP"> {{cite web | url=http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/news/134346.20100111.Australias-first-video-gaming-bar-opens/ | title=Australia's first video gaming bar opens | date=11 January 2010 | first=Dan | last=Cheer | accessdate=16 May 2010 | work=GamePlanet | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119085958/http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/news/134346.20100111.Australias-first-video-gaming-bar-opens/ | archive-date=19 January 2010 | url-status=live }} </ref>

The Mana Bar was founded as a collaboration between Guy "Yug" Blomberg, co-creator of Australian Gamer; Pras Moorthy, senior designer at The Creative Assembly; video game critic Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw; and Shay Leighton, creative director of local cocktail bar ''The Bowery''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://manabar.com.au/theteam.php |title=Australia's First Video Game Bar |publisher=Mana Bar |accessdate=21 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526003855/http://www.manabar.com.au/theteam.php |archivedate=26 May 2010 }}</ref><ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.tsumea.com/australasia/australia/news/130110/the-mana-bar-opens-february-2010 |title=The Mana Bar opens February 2010 |publisher=tsumea |date=14 January 2010 |accessdate=21 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118004455/http://tsumea.com/australasia/australia/news/130110/the-mana-bar-opens-february-2010 |archive-date=18 January 2010 |url-status=live }} </ref> Morrigan Moore became the owner and general manager in May 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152091353382919 |title=The gauntlet has been passed (Facebook post) |publisher=Mana Bar |date=1 May 2014 |accessdate=16 August 2014 |archive-date=3 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303154627/https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152091353382919 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The bar closed on 24 May 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title = The Mana Bar Is Closing Its Doors|url = https://www.facebook.com/TheManaBar/photos/a.10151372316622919.1073741825.166607547918/10152860399402919/|accessdate = 2015-10-06|first = Mark|last = Serrels|via = Facebook|archive-date = 3 March 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190303154627/https://www.facebook.com/TheManaBar/photos/a.10151372316622919.1073741825.166607547918/10152860399402919/|url-status = live}}</ref>

==History== The idea was first conceived by Australian Gamer co-creator Guy Blomberg, in December 2007 after a house party in which Guy himself noted the successful combination of alcohol and video games made for an excellent social environment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.australiangamer.com/news/2191_the_mana_bar.html |title=The Mana Bar |publisher=AustralianGamer.com |date=16 February 2009 |accessdate=21 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128105508/http://www.australiangamer.com/news/2191_the_mana_bar.html |archive-date=28 January 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Guy was later joined in this enterprise by Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw, Prasant Moorthy and Shay Leighton.<ref name="bar in brisbane">{{cite web |url=http://www.australiangamer.com/news/2915_yug_and_some_other_guys_are_opening_a_bar_in_brisbane.html |title=Yug and some other guys are opening a bar in brisbane |publisher=AustralianGamer.com |accessdate=21 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115174912/http://www.australiangamer.com/news/2915_yug_and_some_other_guys_are_opening_a_bar_in_brisbane.html |archive-date=15 January 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After years of planning and several pushed back opening dates, the Mana Bar opened on 20 March 2010. It is also reported that there are only a handful of venues in the world that offer a similar experience.<ref name="bar in brisbane" /> Despite the 50 person capacity of the venue, the opening night saw over 100 line up, with the waiting time for some reported to be up to three hours long.<ref> {{cite web |url=http://oxcgn.com/2010/03/24/the-mana-bar-cocktails-and-gaming-a-potent-mix/ |title=The Mana Bar: cocktails and gaming a potent mix? « OXCGN – Xbox Gaming News Reviews Views |publisher=Oxcgn.com |accessdate=21 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526165359/http://oxcgn.com/2010/03/24/the-mana-bar-cocktails-and-gaming-a-potent-mix/ |archive-date=26 May 2010 |url-status=live }} </ref>

The Mana Bar has received significant media coverage from prime video game and geek culture sites including Kotaku,<ref>{{cite web|last=Wildgoose |first=David |url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/01/australias-first-video-game-bar-opening-next-month/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115162728/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/01/australias-first-video-game-bar-opening-next-month/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 January 2010 |title=Australia's First Video Game Bar Opening Next Month |publisher=Kotaku Australia |date=12 January 2010 |access-date=21 May 2010}}</ref> Destructoid,<ref name="DESTR"/> Gizmodo<ref>{{cite web |last=Broughall |first=Nick |url=http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/01/brisbane-gets-australias-first-video-game-bar/ |title=Brisbane Gets Australia's First Video Game Bar | Gizmodo Australia |publisher=Gizmodo.com.au |date=11 January 2010 |accessdate=21 May 2010 |archive-date=21 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100521080103/http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/01/brisbane-gets-australias-first-video-game-bar/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Joystiq.<ref name="Joystiq"/>

On 9 August of the same year, it was confirmed that the success of the Mana Bar in Brisbane has led to plans to expand to Sydney (no opening dates were mentioned) and Melbourne<ref> {{Cite web |url=http://www.gamearena.com.au/videos/latest.php/bigpond-gamearena-weekly-update-01st-july-2011 |title=BigPond GameArena Weekly Update 01st July 2011 – Game Videos – BigPond GameArena |access-date=23 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319034243/http://www.gamearena.com.au/videos/latest.php/bigpond-gamearena-weekly-update-01st-july-2011 |archive-date=19 March 2012 |url-status=dead }} </ref> due to be opened on 16 July 2011. It was also revealed that there were plans to expand internationally, with the owners looking at opening the bar in the United States and Europe.<ref name="Gaming Bar To Conquer Sydney, Melbourne, The World">{{cite web|url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/08/gaming-bar-to-conquer-sydney-melbourne-the-world/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821140118/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/08/gaming-bar-to-conquer-sydney-melbourne-the-world/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 August 2010 |title=Gaming Bar To Conquer Sydney, Melbourne, The World |publisher=Kotaku.com |date= 8 August 2010|accessdate=9 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://gamercrave.com/mana-bar-other-cities/4710/ |title=Mana Bar May Come to Your City Some Day |first=Jared |last=Newman |publisher=GamerCrave |date=6 December 2010 |accessdate=7 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611071352/http://gamercrave.com/mana-bar-other-cities/4710/ |archive-date=11 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After a little over two years of operation, the Melbourne bar closed in September 2013, citing low patronage further impacted by restricted trading hours.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2013/08/the-melbourne-mana-bar-is-closing-for-good/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807205950/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2013/08/the-melbourne-mana-bar-is-closing-for-good/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 August 2013 |title=The Melbourne Mana Bar Is Closing 'For Good' |first=Mark |last=Serrels |publisher=Kotaku |date=5 August 2013 |accessdate=16 August 2014}}</ref>

On 19 May 2015, the owners announced via the bar's Facebook page that the venue would cease trading on Sunday 24 May. The owners thanked "everyone [who] made it the sweet ride it was."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/TheManaBar/photos/a.10151372316622919.1073741825.166607547918/10152860399402919/ |title=Mana Bar will be closing its doors effective this Sunday the 24th of May |via=Facebook |date=19 May 2015 |accessdate=24 May 2015 |archive-date=3 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303154627/https://www.facebook.com/TheManaBar/photos/a.10151372316622919.1073741825.166607547918/10152860399402919/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Video game industry relations== The Mana Bar had strong ties with the video game industry, and had been used by developers and publishers as a promotional venue where they were able to preview or launch their games. This included the launch of ''BlazBlue'',<ref name="at the mana bar">{{cite web |author=Toastfarmer20 Mar 2010 |url=http://palgn.com.au/16193/whats-on-at-the-mana-bar/ |title=What's on at the Mana Bar |website=PALGN |date=20 March 2010 |accessdate=21 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015201340/http://palgn.com.au/16193/whats-on-at-the-mana-bar/ |archive-date=15 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the ''Halo: Reach'' multiplayer beta, ''Just Cause 2''<ref name="at the mana bar" /> and ''Raskulls''<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.raskulls.com/2010/03/mana-bar-opening-featuring-raskulls/ |title=Mana Bar opening featuring |publisher=Raskulls |accessdate=21 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715154851/http://www.raskulls.com/2010/03/mana-bar-opening-featuring-raskulls/ |archive-date=15 July 2011 |url-status=live }} </ref> all being playable at the venue prior to the official launch of the games, the latter being a preview exclusive to the Mana Bar.

==References== {{reflist}}

==Further reading== * {{cite web |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/04/a-brisbane-brew-the-mana-bar-story/ |title=A Brisbane Brew: The Mana Bar Story |last=Serrels |first=Mark |date=2012-04-02 |website=Kotaku Australia |publisher=Allure Media |access-date=2024-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111052454/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/04/a-brisbane-brew-the-mana-bar-story/ |archive-date=2023-11-11}}

Category:2010 establishments in Australia Category:2015 disestablishments in Australia Category:Culture of Brisbane Category:Defunct nightclubs in Australia Category:Drinking establishment chains Category:Fortitude Valley, Queensland Category:Pub chains Category:Pubs in Brisbane Category:Video game culture Category:Video gaming in Australia Category:Bars (establishments)