Red Bull is bringing a one of a kind PAC-MAN themed pop-up event to the Short North Food Hall this Thursday, Nov. 15.
The event, which is in celebration of the new PAC-MAN livery Red Bull can, was specifically chosen to take place in Columbus, due to the city’s growing game communities. Just this year, our city was home to the Call of Duty World League Championships, hosted the Midwestern Finale for the Indie Arcade hit Killer Queen, and had the opening of Hilliard’s eSports facility, Game Arena.
When approached by Red Bull to be a part of the event, Short North Food Hall’s Direct of Operations, Tyler Andrews, knew it would be the perfect fit for the venue and Columbus.
“We’re so excited that Columbus was chosen as the exclusive location for this unique Red Bull PAC-MAN pop-up experience,” said Andrews. “As one of the top gaming cities in the Northeast, we knew our community would love it and that we had to host!”
The pop-up, which focuses on the evolution of PAC-Man from the 1980s to now, features a melding of the retro and modern.
As you walk into the space, you instantly feel like you’re in an 80s basement, with bean bags, lava lamps, and wood paneling covering the walls. Here, guests can play some of the original versions of PAC-MAN, with a Nintendo Entertainment System running the game, and an original PAC-MAN Cabinet retrofitted with the various versions of the game.
Bandai Namco, the original developers of PAC-MAN, also sent along some exclusive PAC-MAN memorabilia from their offices in Japan to showcase many of the various forms the game has taken throughout the years.
The vibe of the room takes a drastic turn after the shag carpeted lounge space, switching from 80’s Nostalgia to a modern take on the cultural icon. It’s complete with a giant PAC-MAN made of Red Bull cans and Arcade cabinets outfitted with the PAC-MAN mobile app and their own mini fridges.
To make the pop-up experience complete, there will also be PAC-MAN themed drinks that will be served throughout the night and a mix of modern takes on classic songs from both games and popular songs from the 80s.
The event runs for one day only, from 4 to 9 p.m.
For more information, you can check out the event’s Facebook page, or go to pacman.redbull.com.