Rivertown adds free arcade games

Whenever Rivertown Brewing Co. owner and brewer Jason Roeper finds himself in Denver, he inevitably is drawn to The 1Up, a combined craft beer bar and arcade.

It transports him back to his early days of spending hours pumping quarters into Konami’s Contra — a side-scrolling shoot'em up game.

So when Roeper decided that it was time to retool the atmosphere at the Rivertown taproom in suburban Cincinnati, he decided he wanted that nostalgic arcade feel.

"We needed to put in something cool so people are going to be excited to come in," he said.

This month, (December) Rivertown has added classic 1970s pinball machines, Mortal Combat, Street Fighter 2, House of Dead 2 and a console featuring Ms. Pacman, Galaga, Centipede, Donkey Kong and others. More games, including Contra, are on the way.

Perhaps the best part is that all the games are free. Roeper figured he makes his money on the beer and free games are a way to build a loyal customer base.

The craft beer/arcade concept is hot right now. Call it a barcade or beercade or whatever. The BottleHouse Brewery in Cleveland Heights offers pinball machines, while 16-Bit Bar + Arcade has locations in Cleveland and Columbus, and soon Cincinnati. There’s also the B Side Liquor Lounge & Arcade in Cleveland Heights.

Roeper said he’s seen plenty of parents bringing their kids to the tasting room and hanging out a little bit longer than they used to. Roeper, who is married and has children, has no problem with families visiting the brewery.

"So many parents are coming in with their kids and embrace it," he said. "I don’t think hiding alcohol from kids is a good thing. If you teach them to respect it and they grow up around it, they don’t abuse it."

And sure, he’s fine with the kids encouraging the parents to head over to the brewery so they can play a few free games.

Roeper admitted that he will be drawn to the Contra game once it arrives.

"I’ve already found myself downloading the cheat codes," he said with a laugh.

Veggie Sliders make White Castle debut

White Castle is offering a vegetarian version of its famous Sliders, but they’re not necessarily for dieters. The hamburger chain says it is now

Two day-care workers indicted in fraud scheme

Two day-care workers have been indicted on charges of stealing more than $45,000 from Union County Job and Family Services through fake child-care app

Q&A: Mike Folker and Sheryl Graham of BossyGrrl’s Pin Up Joint

Bossy Grrl's Pin Up Joint has garnered a cult following by offering a weekly lineup of entertainment and a campy atmosphere rivaled only by John Waters movies. Original owners Sandy Rollins and Amber Myers have expanded to Wall Street Night Club, leaving their beloved Bossy Grrl's concept to Secret Song Records owner Mike Folker and business partner Sheryl Graham. Though Folker and Graham are keeping the kitsch, they plan on making additions to the entertainment schedule and adding to the energy of the Old North neighborhood.

Taco Bell: Free Doritos Locos taco with mobile order

Taco Bell recently launched a mobile ordering app. (And who thought fast-food could get any faster?) To encourage customers to tap away, it’s giving away a FREE Doritos Locos taco with any order made via its app during the entire month of January. However, the offer may end early, as it’s limited Read More The post Taco Bell: Free Doritos Locos taco with mobile order appeared first...

Click on the post for more details!

Boulevard arrives in Ohio the week of Jan. 12

Cavalier Distributing reports today (Dec. 30) that it will start distributing Boulevard Brewing Co. around Ohio the week of Jan. 12. The Kansas City, Mo.-based brewer announced earlier this month that it was moving into the Buckeye State.

Boulevard -- part of Duvel Moortgat USA, which is the eighth-largest craft brewer in the U.S. -- offers year-round brands such as Pop-Up I.P.A., 80-Acre Hoppy Wheat Beer and Unfiltered Wheat Beer.

"Cavalier is proud to represent some of the finest breweries from across Ohio, the United States and the world," Cavalier President George Fisher said in a prepared statement. "With Boulevard's commitment to quality, heritage and passion for brewing, they will fit right in. We are excited to be Boulevard's partner and bring their array of fresh, flavorful beers to Ohio."

Dire Cafe and Restaurant

Cuisine: Ethiopian 4517 E Main Street, Columbus, 43213 (in the back of Dire-Dawa Grocery) Finding Dire Dawa was pure serendipity. We were checking out Ethiopian bakeries in the Hamilton Rd. area (for our Crave feature), hoping it might be one, … Continue reading →