In Phoenix for Fan Fusion? Check out these nerd-approved bars, restaurants and comic shops
We've all got at least a little bit of geek or nerd inside of us, and nothing brings it out quite like Phoenix Fan Fusion, which is returning to the Convention Center from June 2 to June 4.
The convention, self-described as "your local, fan- and geek-driven, large-scale, multi-genre, pop-culture convention," was formerly known as Phoenix Comicon and Phoenix Comic Fest.
For geeks, there's nothing better than being surrounded by people with similar passions and interests in movies, games and comic books. So after a fun-filled day of seeing your favorite characters, authors and actors, we suggest heading to one of these nerdy sanctuaries around metro Phoenix.
Some serve alcohol because it's fun to drink a little while playing a vintage Sega Genesis. Others are great for sipping an espresso while perusing comic books or learning to play tabletop games with fellow adventurers.
From collectible shops to cafes and bars to gaming destinations, these are the best, geek-approved places to hang out in metro Phoenix.
Call all fandoms: Why Arizona boba shops are the ultimate K-Pop hangouts
PHOENIX
Cobra Arcade Bar
The bar has 40 arcade games — from "Marvel vs. Capcom" and "Galaga" to "Donkey Kong" and "Mortal Kombat" — each costing 25 cents to $1 a play — and a bar menu with video game-inspired cocktails like Inky's Drinky. Cobra Arcade Bar is a 21-and-up bar located in downtown Phoenix open late nights and weekends.
Details: 801 N. Second St., #100, Phoenix. 602-595-5873, cobraarcadebar.com, facebook.com/cobraarcade.
Out of this world: This third generation Chinese-American baker shares a sweet taste of her Phoenix childhood
Hi-Score Club
A few doors down from Cobra Arcade Bar is Hi-Score Club, an anime-themed bar that features imported arcade games and manga artwork by local artists. Hi-Score Club has drinks named after iconic anime characters including "Bebop," "Chi-Chi" and "Master Roshi." The venue opens at 7 p.m. and features local DJs beginning at 9 p.m.
Details: 801 N. Second St., No. 108, Phoenix. 602-595-5873, cobraarcadebar.com/high-score-menu/, instagram.com/hi_score_club.
Collectors Marketplace
If you want to take a step back in time but don’t have a DeLorean, Collectors Marketplace has you covered. The Phoenix store has thousands of toys and trinkets that you probably haven’t seen since the '80s, like those singing California Raisins.
The store looks small on the outside but it’s packed with anime figurines, posters, comic books, plushies, video games and Pokémon cards. There’s also an entire room filled with Funko Pop collectibles.
Details: 1945 E. Indian School Road. Phoenix. 480-442-1117, collectorsmarketplace.com.
Phoenix Gaming Lounge
This small venue is dedicated to tabletop gaming, primarily Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, as well as other analog board games.
It usually hosts daily games. The lounge also sells Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering cards online. New inventory is announced on Facebook.
Details: 4747 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-266-8180, phxgl.com, facebook.com/PhoenixGamingLounge.
All About Books and Comics
After nearly four decades this brick-and-mortar comic book store closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, comic books are still for sale with bags of 50 comics selling for $60 online with free shipping. Pick a character and you will receive a bag of comic books in which they appear. Characters include Nightwing, Iron Man, Captain America, Punisher and more.
Details: 602-277-0757, allaboutbooksandcomics.com, facebook.com/AllAboutComics.
ComicX
The only U.S. location of the Mexico-based comic book-themed restaurant is located at Desert Ridge Marketplace. The menu includes a "Hen Solo" sandwich made with flaky chicken thighs, pickles and smoky aioli, and character-themed cocktails such as the "Harley Gin" with either gin or vodka, passion fruit syrup, lemonade and Luxardo cherry.
The entire restaurant is also decorated with comic book and movie memorabilia, from life-sized statues of characters like the Joker and Batman to a seating area that looks like the inside of a Star Wars ship, making for endless photo ops.
Details: 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 95 Desert Ridge Marketplace, Phoenix. 480-306-6780, @comicxusa on Instagram.
EAST VALLEY
Cult Classics Arizona
Cult Classics is back following a pause of in-person events during the pandemic. Every month a group of film geeks descend on Landmark Scottsdale Quarter Theatre to watch screenings of cult classics, like "The Return of the Living Dead" and "The Crow." Check the website for upcoming screenings and other meetups.
Details: cultclassicsaz.com, facebook.com/cultclassicsaz, youtube.com/c/CultClassics.
Desert Sky Games and Comics
This store used to have multiple locations, but has consolidated to one central location in Chandler. With a focus on tabletop and card games, video games and comics, it's a hub for all your tabletop gear needs from dice to cards.
Details: 3875 W. Ray Road, Suite #7, Chandler. 602-615-5214. desertskygames.com, facebook.com/DSGChandler
Endgame
After four years of rebuilding, Endgame is back and open in Mesa. The gaming lounge, bar and restaurant has classic and new games to play on everything from Sega Genesis to Nintendo Switch with more than 700 video game titles to choose from. The venue also hosts gaming tournaments. Pick a game, grab a button smasher mojito and some Tekken skewers and settle in for the night.
Details: 1233 S. Alma School Road, Mesa. 480-331-1809. endgamebar.com.
The Gaming Zone
Find a wide selection of new and retro video games and third-party accessories at the Gaming Zone. Players can also sell their unwanted games here. The store has locations in Tempe and Gilbert.
Details: Tempe: 930 W. Broadway Road, 480-245-6357. Gilbert: 425 W. Guadalupe Road, 480-590-0706. thegamingzone.bigcartel.com, facebook.com/thegamingzoneaz.
Gotham City Comics and Collectibles
You'll be greeted by Krampus when you enter Gotham City Comics in Mesa. They offer a huge selection of comics and film memorabilia and the shop hosts in-store celebrity signings.
Details: 151 N. Country Club Dr., Mesa. 480-649-3065, batcavecomic.com, facebook.com/gothamcitycomics.
Polar Bear's Pop Culture Shop
Need more action figures? There’s a store for that. Polar Bear's Pop Culture Shop has hundreds of toys and collectibles from DC to Marvel. You can also trade or sell your vintage gaming systems, Pokémon cards and action figures at the shop. While the front of the store is filled with figures, in the back you’ll find vinyl records, books and clothing.
Details: 2240 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe. 602-918-9654. facebook.com/Polarbearspopcultureshop.
Starfighters Arcade
This all-ages arcade is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and has more than 45 pinball machines and over 115 classic video arcade games. Gamers must purchase a membership of $11 per day or $38 per month for unlimited play. The monthly option lets the holder bring two guests for free.
Details: 4840 East Jasmine St., Suite 102, Mesa. 602-513-9532, starfightersarcade.com.
Spooky's Swirls
Spooky's Swirls serves mouthwatering cupcakes, cookies and other desserts based on horror and sci-fi movies. And around the corner from the bakery counter is a mini movie museum, with costumes and other props from iconic horror and sci-fi movies from "Carrie" (1976) to "Beetlejuice" (1988).
Details: 3029 N. Alma School Road, Suite 117, Chandler. 707-776-6597, spookysswirls.com.
Terror Trader
Terror Trader is Arizona's only year-round horror marketplace, selling masks, props and other spooky gifts and goodies. The horror marketplace showcases 70 local artists and vendors. It hosts a number of events every week from critter-making classes to tarot readings and more.
Details: 941 W. Elliot Road, Suite 3, Chandler. terrortrader.com.
ACG Go Anime Store + Cafe
Located near Arizona State University, ACG Go is your go-to spot for anime and video game figurines like Genshin Impact and Jujutsu Kaisen. The store also sells food including steamed buns, onigiri and green teas, which come in cute glasses decorated with anime characters.
Details: 521 S. College Ave., Suite 111, Tempe. 480-504-6056, acg-go.com.
WEST VALLEY
Player 1 Arcade
Grab some coins and play your favorite games from the '80s and '90s at the Player 1 Arcade in Surprise. The arcade has a selection of pinball machines and also serves wine and beer. Games rotate in and out of the arcade on a monthly basis. You can also submit an online request to play a particular game at the arcade.
Details: 17239 N. Litchfield Road. Surprise. 623-248-4940. p1arcade.com.
Carousel Arcade Bar
Located in Glendale's Westgate Entertainment District, the bar and restaurant has pinball machines, video games and arcade games including basketball and boxing machines and air hockey tables.
Along with these entertainment options, Carousel also offers brunch, lunch and dinner with a wide selection of shareable appetizers and burgers. Creative desserts include a basket of fried candy bars and a confetti milkshake topped with a slice of cake and a sprinkle rim.
Details: 6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., Suite G111, Glendale. 623-877-9777, carouselarcadebar.com.
What to drink at Carousel: Go for Skee-Ball, stay for the Freakshow Old Fashioned
Play Or Draw
This game store claims to have the largest selection of Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Warhammer in the Valley. The shop also has a play area where gamers can get together for Commander League and Yu-Gi-Oh!
Details: 965 E. Van Buren St., Avondale. 623-500-1668, playordrawgaming.com.
Drawn to Comics
This locally owned store sells comic books, collectibles, action figures, games, T-shirts, posters and prints. Owner Ken Brown prides himself on running "Arizona's friendliest comic store," where a familial atmosphere makes the store's 2,000 square feet seem small.
Details: 5801 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale. 623-847-9090, drawntocomics.com, facebook.com/drawntocomics.
Imperial Outpost Games
Imperial carries all things tabletop, RPG, miniatures and non-collectible card gaming. It’s a popular spot for the Unnamed Association of Gamers, a Phoenix board-gaming club.
Details: 4920 W. Thunderbird Road, Suite 121, Glendale. 602-978-0467, facebook.com/imperial.outpost.7.
Amazing Discoveries
Formerly known as ManaWerx, Amazing Discoveries sells board games, comics, miniatures, role player games and tabletop games. The store has a wide selection of Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon, Dragon Ball Z and Pathfinder card packs and singles.
Details: 4340 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale. 602-761-2035, facebook.com/amazingmtggmw.
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Fallout Games
No matter what retro game or console you’re looking for, one of the many Fallout Games locations likely has it. From Atari and GameBoy to Nintendo DS and Switch, the store has a huge selection of used video games and accessories. You can also sell or trade games at the locations in Tempe, Mesa and two locations in north Phoenix.
Details:1807 E. Southern Ave., Tempe. 480-838-1782. falloutgames.net.
Samurai Comics
The Phoenix location of this comic book shop is their largest and is actually one of the largest in the country. The store also sells graphic novels, manga, anime, toys, collectibles and gaming supplies.
Details: 6808 N. Dysart Road, Suite 148, Glendale. 623-872-8886. Also 1602 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-265-8886. 2639 E. Broadway Road, Mesa. 480-962-1123. samuraicomics.com, facebook.com/samuraicomics.
Samantha Incorvaia, Elizabeth Montgomery and Priscilla Totiyapungprasert contributed to this article.
Reach the reporter at endia.fontanez@gannett.com. Follow @EndiaFontanez on Twitter.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fan Fusion 2023: Nerdy things to do in Phoenix from fan bars to gaming
