Gaming chronicles
The Living Room
When they're not tucking into the latest culinary offerings in the city or sipping on golden draught beer, students in Bangalore like to indulge in their passion for console games. A popular destination for many enthusiasts is the eight-year-old, laid-back space called The Living Room. Located in the heart of the city, it is true to its name—with several cosy living rooms set up under a single roof for various activities. The brick walls add to the ambience and so does a no-holds-barred policy. So, while you pay by the hour, you are free to bring in your own food and drinks (non-alcoholic) and play a game (or two) on the Xbox, PS4 or Wii. “There isn't much to do in the city for students, besides drinking and hanging out in malls. Earlier, all gaming places in town were seedy and often located in basements. We wanted to change that and start a high-end gaming zone,” says owner Mohan Mahadeviah, 38. Visitors spanning the age group of 8 to 40 can play against each other here. Large hard drive backups also ensure that you can save a game and return to it on your next visit. “I see a lot of youngsters from Christ College, Bishop Cotton School, Vidyashilp Academy and Mallya Aditi International School stop by and they often throw birthday parties here too,” says Mahadeviah. “For many, gaming is an escape from reality where you can travel to exotic locations and even play James Bond,” he adds. ÜAT 45/7, Residency Cross Road, Next to Corner House ÜTEL 4091 2024 ÜPRICE Rs 300 per hour