If there’s one thing gamers love more than coffee, its coffee with a theme. Thankfully, Square Enix is looking to provide gamers with this unique experience opening two new cafes based on their extensive library of games.
Announced via press release, Square Enix will be opening the Officially Licenced Square Enix Cafe & Shop in Los Angeles, California and Shinjuku, Tokyo. This marks the first time an official Square Enix cafe offering a full, authentic menu will open in the U.S. The cafe spaces will offer menu items inspired by multiple Square Enix IPs, while the connected shop spaces will carry a wide selection of official merchandise.
The Los Angeles cafe will be opening at 316 E 1st St., Los Angeles, California 90012 and will be operated by J-Pop Culture Cafe Inc. The Tokyo location will be PASELABO TOWER 1F / 2F / 3F, 3-36-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan; operated by NEWTON CORPERATION. Details on when the shops will be open will be provided at a later date.
The Square Enix Cafe & Shop will be the second of its kind as the Final Fantasy maker’s “ARTINA” opened on December 22nd, 2012, seeking to give its attendees a loving tribute to Square’s extensive library, but also an upscale bar & cafe experience. According to its website, the name is a combination of “ART + AREA + NEAR, and it puts the feeling of ‘a place that will become a bridge between customers and goods.'”
We’ve been seeing a greater push from the video game industry to branch out into different mediums and offer unique experiences. Nintendo has begun opening more official stores—most recently in San Fransisco—and cafe’s based on their properties, such as the Kirby Cafe in Tokyo have been blowing up on social media.
