Kansas City’s first gaming lounge seeks to unite people
E-Sports Bar KC has opened to the public, giving people from all around the Kansas City metro a new place to enjoy not only console gaming but live sports as well.
Many Kansas Citians regardless of economic status, religion, race or gender enjoy at least one of two things: live sports and playing video games on a Playstation or X-Box console. It’s that common thread that a new business, E-Sports Bar KC, looks to emphasize in the Kansas City market.
"“That [building the business] is the main focus and the other thing I learned from the market is that there are no barriers,” said Brandon Williams, owner of E-Sports Bar KC. “There’s no race barrier. There’s no language barrier. There’s no money barrier. There aren’t any barriers when it comes to gaming. Everyone knows triangle is jump, circle is shoot. Everybody knows the hit stick is R3 in analog, that’s universal.I just [want] to get people in here from all different walks of life to find one thing in common and drive that home especially with current events in the world today. Every time you turn on the news it’s this guy is saying this. To me in this forum, you [can] just let go of all that pressure and just be able to relax. Just smash the buttons and alcohol definitely helps in moderation.”"
The lounge has been open for well over a month now, and in that short time has gained a good amount of traction. On top of the robust customer traffic, the lounge has served as the venue for “The ‘Ship with Darren Smith” on Fox Sports Radio NFL Sunday pregame show. In addition to console gaming, the lounge offers a full bar and live sports for fans to view. The lounge has also offered a NBA 2k18 tournament with cash prizes which was open to the public, and has another one scheduled for Dec. 28. The tournaments are something that Williams looks to expand upon.
"“The basis of it [the lounge] is for the competitive gamer and casual gamer. I tell people this is a gaming lounge that has a bar. This is a gaming lounge that shows sports on TV. Our first emphasis definitely is the gamer. I know the gamers love to be competitive. That’s the whole concept of gaming, to be competitive, so we definitely will do tournaments more often than not. I would love to do one once a week.”"
The lounge’s opening and ongoing operations are a culmination of a process of years for Williams and his fiancee, Stephanie Smith, as he explains.
"“[We] kind of did a rushed business plan, did some market research to see if it was a good idea [then] took the business plan to the Kauffman Fast Track Program. They helped me refine it, get familiar with some of the verbiage used in the business field [and] from there [it’s been] a lot of hard work, sleepless nights and we’re here.”"
Williams grew up in Wyandotte County, has lived all over the metro and is now raising three sons in Lee’s Summit. As a demonstration of his commitment to Kansas City, Williams wants to help it gain a place in the emerging gaming industry.
"“I would like to see myself if not on the same level as the big guys on the west coast because they will keep growing as well but how about where they are now?…That’s very realistic and believable as well. This market is exploding.”"
Kansas City may become a fixture in the gaming industry, partially because of Williams’ business. Kansas City is already the home of the National Association for Collegiate Esports. The annual KCGameCon event has been growing as well. The Kansas City Chiefs were one of only eight NFL franchises who took part in the Madden Club Championship during its inaugural season and are still involved now that it has expanded to all 32 teams.
How much of a prominent place Kansas City will become in the competitive video gaming industry remains to be seen. Regardless of that fate, E-Sports Lounge KC is a place where any and everyone can come together with one purpose: smash the buttons.