The story so far:
I’m behind schedule. It’s getting dark. It’s about to rain. I have about two hours left to visit the last few arcades on my list today, then find a secluded spot to set up camp.
Thankfully, my last few stops were just a few quick barcades. Drop in, grab a soda, play a few games, then leave.
First up is DK Effect.
The very first thing to grab your attention at this bar is its weird makeshift patio area that looks like it was built over part of their parking lot. The centerpiece is this ping pong table built out of the remains of an old Ford truck.
And on the inside… I’m still not really sure what to make of this. Is it the most standard barcade I’ve ever seen or an oddity trying to do a lot with a little? Let’s look around and I’ll let you decide.
Adorning the back wall are piles upon piles of old steel drums and boxes. Are they meant to be OK’s barrels or do they just leave them on the floor for storage? Probably both.
Around the arcade are small touches like this that give DK Effect a bit of its own personality. I often wonder if I put too much stock in an arcade’s flourishes. But, to me, what makes visiting arcades fun is that no two are exactly alike (unless they’re Dave and Busters). While DK Effect on its own isn’t anything unique, it’s things like these that give the arcade its own unique flavor.
And here’s… every other picture I took of the arcade. Highlights include Quick & Crash, Megaman the Power Fighters, Robocop 2, and the vintage gun-shooting machine.
Okay, is that everything? Grabbed a Sprite. Played Megaman. Photographed the arcade. Got my travel log signed. Alright, good to go.
Oh god, that sky’s getting pretty dark. I’m running out of time.
This is a small, cozy arcade bar appropriately named “Hole in the Wall”. If I had to describe it in one word, I’d use “narrow”.
Remember, this was October, so the Halloween decorations were up. The spider webs don’t mean this was a gothic dive bar or anything.
As soon as a I got in, a drunken couple offered to buy me my drink. Given that I always run around with a gigantic backpack on and sleep-deprived eyes, I think they mistook me for a hobo. I graciously accepted the drink, but made a mental note to buy a hat the next time I was near a store. This might just be a personal neurosis, but I think wearing a cap makes me look more like a tired traveler than a bum.
So in the back corner I awkwardly sat with my gigantic backpack. I always buy a drink as a courtesy to the business, but I feel weird coming here and not paying for anything. Well, it’s not like I wasn’t pressed for time, anyway.
This is where all of the 80s nostalgia lies. Given how narrow the rest of the bar was, this is the only place they could actually fit it.
And here’s what their arcade setup looked like. You can’t see the machines at all when you first walk in, so I wasn’t certain what to expect. All things considered, it’s a pretty good lineup for such a small bar.
Here’s a closer look. It’s a bizarre mix of super common barcade games and a few I don’t see often, like Sharp Shooter. Hey, I don’t think I’ve EVER seen Hammerin’ Harry before. For such a tiny arcade, they were full of surprises.
Now, really, I’ve got to be going. I’m in a race against time here.
Look at that sky. I’m really, really behind schedule. But this is my last stop of the day.
This is… Um…
I had to look up the name. It’s “Canal Street Arcade and Deli”. The most notable thing about this arcade is the deli counter in the back. And…
Oh god, what happened here? I’m usually way more careful than this! Most of my photos of this place turned out absolutely terrible.
The thing that stands out when you first walk in are all of the odd novelty machines in the front of the building. The… cigarette vending machine, I think? The gumball pinball machine. The…
…When I checked the bus schedule, I realized I had about 5 minutes to finish up and get to the bus stop, or I’d be stuck here for the next hour. I had to leave my drink and run. If my description of this place isn’t up to my usual standards, it’s because it’s a blur even in my memories.
Let it be known, I DID visit it, though.
…and it was raining by the time I got to the outskirts of town. Great.
That’s the thing about how I travel: Sometimes it really is very touch-and-go like this. I like to spend as much time in arcades as I can, but it’s not always an option. I wrote this blog post in the most sloppy, “finish and move on” style I could, because it’s exactly how I remember these arcades. I unfortunately didn’t have time to really soak them in. If I ever find myself back in Dayton, I’ll absolutely give them the second look they deserve.
But I found me a nice patch of woods between a strip mall and a bank to set up camp for the night. It was so close to civilization that I was constantly afraid someone would spot me and kick me out, but I made it through the night undisturbed.
And let me just say, it’s so nice to finally be through the first day of these blog posts after nearly 3 years. This barcade post is one I’ve really been dreading, so I half-assed it. That reflects the experience well.
