Melbourne Central might be a sprawling nightmare to navigate, but absolutely no one can miss B. Lucky and Sons. Flashing neon signs are smattered over the external wall like animations on a late '90s webpage, ensuring not a single punter walks past without having a gawk.
B. Lucky and Sons is one part bar, one part adults-only arcade where you can drink a spiked bubble tea while shooting aliens on a giant, two-person version of Space Invaders. The flashy-flashy outside continues inside but now it’s the games themselves lighting up the room. Take your pick from nostalgic faves like Dance Dance Revolution and Mario Kart, or try your luck at winning a prize from a claw machine or spinning wheel.
Unlike traditional arcades, you pay for the games at B. Lucky and Sons by preloading a card with credit and then tapping on at the game machine before you start playing. It's convenient but also a very easy way to lose track of how quickly you’re chewing through your money. If you do strike it big though, you can cash in your winnings at the venue’s pawnshop where prizes range from vintage Chanel handbags to original Nintendo 64 game systems.
Feeling peckish? B. Lucky and Sons has a range of burgers and sandwiches on the menu including a brisket sando with eight-hour smoked beef brisket, Victorian mozzarella and sauce on crusty sourdough. If it's something sweet you're after, try one of the $10 ice cream sandwiches topped with torched marshmallow, fairy floss and dunked in chocolate.
If you are looking for a bevvy, you’re in luck. You can go opt for a drink as wild as the food and get an alcohol-spiked bubble cup or Espresso Martini, but there’s also tame libations like beer, wine and bubbly available as well.
It’s easy to live the life of a high roller at B. Lucky and Sons though we’d just as happily kick back with a beer, a bag of prawn crisps and a round of Space Invaders.