Wonderville
 | |
| Address | 1186 Broadway, Brooklyn, New York |
|---|---|
| Location | Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn |
| Owner | Mark Kleback, Stephanie Gross |
| Type | Arcade bar and event space |
| Events | Video games, independent games, live performances |
| Construction | |
| Opened | June 2019 |
| Website | |
| wonderville.nyc | |
Wonderville is an arcade bar and event space located in the Bedford-Stuyvesant[1] 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.
History
[edit]Wonderville was founded in 2019 by Mark Kleback and Stephanie Gross.[2] 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.[3] Initial funding came through a successful Kickstarter campaign.[4]
Wonderville opened on June 1, 2019, featuring a lineup of indie arcade games and quickly became a hub for local developers, musicians, and artists.[5] Early programming included workshops, playtest nights, and performances, emphasizing in-person social interaction over traditional gaming experiences.[6]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wonderville shifted operations online, launching "Wonderverse," a virtual venue hosted in Minecraft,[2] 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.[3]
In the post-pandemic period, Wonderville expanded its event offerings. In 2025, it organized a memorial event for the demolished Kingda Ka roller coaster.[7]
Concept
[edit]Venue layout and design
[edit]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.[6]
Games collection
[edit]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.[3] The venue's games often use custom-built cabinets and alternative control schemes to further distinguish them from mainstream commercial arcades.[6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Wonderville". Visit Brooklyn. Retrieved 2026-09-24.
- 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.
- 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.
- ↑ Fogel, Stefanie (2019-03-04). "Death By Audio Arcade Founder Kickstarting New Indie Game Brooklyn Bar". Variety. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ↑ Mejía, Paula (2019-06-04). "Photos: The DIY Video Game Haven Wonderville Opens In Brooklyn". Gothamist. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- 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.
- ↑ Kailath, Ryan (2025-03-11). "RIP Kingda Ka: Bushwick bar hosts a funeral for the iconic NJ roller coaster". Gothamist. Retrieved 2025-04-29.