Wonderville

Last updated
Wonderville
Wonderville logo.png
Address1186 Broadway, Brooklyn, New York
Location Bushwick, Brooklyn
OwnerMark Kleback, Stephanie Gross
TypeArcade bar and event space
EventsVideo games, independent games, live performances
OpenedJune 2019
Website
wonderville.nyc

Wonderville is an arcade bar and event space located in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. Established in 2019 by Mark Kleback and Stephanie Gross, the venue is dedicated to showcasing independently developed arcade games. Wonderville hosts a variety of events including tournaments, live performances, and community workshops. Since its opening, Wonderville has been recognized for its contribution to New York City's independent gaming scene.

Contents

History

Wonderville was founded in 2019 by Mark Kleback and Stephanie Gross. [1] Drawing from their experiences at the DIY venue Death By Audio, they envisioned a space to showcase independently developed arcade games alongside a bar and event space. [2] Initial funding came through a successful Kickstarter campaign. [3]

Wonderville opened on June 1, 2019, featuring a lineup of indie arcade games and quickly became a hub for local developers, musicians, and artists. [4] Early programming included workshops, playtest nights, and performances, emphasizing in-person social interaction over traditional gaming experiences. [5]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wonderville shifted operations online, launching "Wonderverse," a virtual venue hosted in Minecraft, [1] and organizing a 12-hour Twitch telethon in December 2020 to support the business and its staff. The physical space also adapted with socially distanced outdoor setups. [2]

A live music performance in Wonderville's event space Adult Fantasy Novel at Wonderville.png
A live music performance in Wonderville’s event space

In the post-pandemic period, Wonderville expanded its event offerings. In 2025, it organized a memorial event for the demolished Kingda Ka roller coaster. [6]

Concept

Venue layout and design

The venue features a bar, arcade floor, and performance space. Its layout allows for both social gatherings and scheduled performances, with capacity for events such as concerts, tournaments, and workshops. [5]

Games collection

Wonderville maintains a rotating collection of approximately thirty independently developed arcade games. Among the titles regularly featured are Killer Queen, a ten-player competitive strategy game; Nidhogg 2, a stylized dueling game; and Particle Mace, a physics-based multiplayer arcade game. [2] The venue's games often use custom-built cabinets and alternative control schemes to further distinguish them from mainstream commercial arcades. [5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Tara, Serena (2020-04-21). "Rock Shows and Indie Video Games in a Minecraft Theme Park? A Bushwick Bar Is Making It a Reality". Bedford + Bowery. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  2. 1 2 3 Mitchell, Alex (2020-12-06). "Brooklyn's Wonderville hosts video game telethon to stay open and defeat pandemic". amNewYork. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  3. ↑ Fogel, Stefanie (2019-03-04). "Death By Audio Arcade Founder Kickstarting New Indie Game Brooklyn Bar". Variety. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  4. ↑ Mejía, Paula (2019-06-04). "Photos: The DIY Video Game Haven Wonderville Opens In Brooklyn". Gothamist. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  5. 1 2 3 Karpan, Andrew (2019-06-06). "An Indie Arcade Bar Opened on the Bushwick and Bed-Stuy Border this Weekend". Bushwick Daily. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  6. ↑ Kailath, Ryan (2025-03-11). "RIP Kingda Ka: Bushwick bar hosts a funeral for the iconic NJ roller coaster". Gothamist. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
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