It’s all fun and games until — actually it’s just all fun and games. Rec Room, Southern Pines’ first bar arcade, wants to level up downtown hangouts. The space has a retro vibe with spaces to sit and chill, all invoking a sense of nostalgia.
Owners Ezra and Heather Dyer and Elena Avila have included a full bar and plan to eventually bring in a kitchen. Families and children will be welcome during the day, but nighttime hours will be geared toward adults.
“We want it to be a place you can come with a group of friends without it feeling like just a kid place,” says Heather.
The idea for the space has been in the making since 2018 after the former Bo’s Foods/IGA grocery store closed. Renovations honored the building’s original footprint as a centennial A&P grocery store.
“Creating something like this is like throwing a big party you want people to come to. We’re just trying to make a good party,” says Ezra.
The token arcade plans to be open seven days a week and even has a separate event room available for parties. “The staff is excited, we’re excited. I think it’ll bring a lot of life to this part of town,” says Heather.
Rec Room opened Feb. 5 at 750 SW Broad St. For updates, follow along on Instagram.
