Image Credit: K2 Architects
Update (May 4th 2023): Level Tap has announced it is opening in May 2023 and has struck partnerships with several tech industry suppliers.
Its ten console stations, 20 PCs and two racing simulators will be custom-built and supplied by AlphaSync at Ebuyer with ASUS and ROG (Republic of Gamers) components. This includes chairs, monitors, mice and keyboards.
Level Tap has also partnered with Red Bull and Liverpool’s own American Pizza Slice. Visitors will be able to enjoy custom-built retro arcade games from Roll Model Arcade of St Helens.
Level Tap is being fitted out and delivered by Liverpool-based The Momentum Group.
Original article (March 27th 2023):
Retail space Liverpool One is set to welcome its first ever esports venue later this year, known as Level Tap.
The 6,500 sq ft gaming bar will feature two levels, 20 PCs, ten console stations (containing a Nintendo Switch and either a PS5 or an Xbox Series X) and two racing simulators.
Level Tap is set to open in May 2023 on Hanover Street as a base for gaming and esports spectating, as well the hosting and broadcasting of live events around the world.
The mezzanine level will be where streamers or competing teams play and broadcast gameplay onto projectors and TVs around the venue, with a lower level arena having seating capacity of more than 100.
The lower level will also have the gaming booths, a bar and dining area, and a lounge designed as a ‘decompression and social zone’ where gamers can take a break from the screens and gaming for a while.
Level Tap says its games library will ‘cater for a wide range of gamers from the super competitive to the super casual’. As an esports venue, competitive titles will be the focus, however all genres will be on offer from FPS, sports and racing to RPGs, strategy and party. The venue will also aim to run a mix of events and tournaments.
The new Level Tap venue will also serve a range of gaming-themed cocktails, boozy shakes, seltzers and draught and bottled beer, wine and soft drinks, as well as pizza slices, sides and snacks and sundaes.
Rob Deacon, Senior Asset Manager at Grosvenor, said: “Level Tap’s exciting new concept is at the forefront of the growing esports market, combining the gaming world with a hospitality led experience, so it makes sense to introduce such an innovative and relevant concept to Liverpool One, where we are committed to pushing the boundaries of leisure and active entertainment.
“We’re excited to welcome the first dedicated Esports venue to Liverpool, a city which is regarded as the UK’s most sociable.”
The news comes after the New Meta Gaming Arena opened in North London and Platform opened its new gaming bar in Canary Wharf.
Who’s behind Level Tap?
Level Tap is being launched by Adam Rydings and Callum Wilson, accountants by day and gamers by night.
Co-founder Adam, a finance director for a publicly listed overseas esports brand, said: “The market for activity bars has grown substantially over the last few years while the gaming industry as a whole grows year on year with esports in particular becoming more popular than ever. Level Tap aims to capitalise on this growth.
“With streamers on platforms such as You Tube and Twitch becoming household names, the demand for watching them in a social atmosphere is soaring. We want to bring that big match experience to the casual gamer while allowing them the chance to improve their skills and have fun with friends.
“As an esports venue it will be competitive in nature so there will be more of an emphasis on multiplayer games. We will be also showing both tournaments and streamers on our main projector screen and TVs around the venue and we plan to run our own events, sponsored events and tournaments.”
Co-founder Callum, who specialises in start-up and SME growth, especially in the hospitality sector, added: “Liverpool One in the heart of the city was the obvious location for Level Tap and it’s already home to a number of competitive socialising experiences – and esports will bring something new to the visitor experience.
“Liverpool also benefits from a large student population with both Liverpool and John Moores universities having very popular gaming societies, while Liverpool has a renowned reputation for games development.
“Given esports streaming and gaming’s growing popularity, it just makes sense for a place like Liverpool to have a dedicated venue in which to play, watch and socialise and, being passionate about esports and gaming, we aim to provide that.”
There’s more info on the Liverpool One retail complex on its website here
You can read about gaming bars in London and get tickets to the UK Esports Spring Networking Party Sponsored by Philips Gaming Monitors (taking place April 4th at Platform Canary Wharf) here.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
