Arcade games, pinball and adult slushies are coming to a new Ankeny bar and arcade
Linh TaAttention pinball enthusiasts, zombie slayers and ski-ball lovers: A locally-owned bar-arcade is expanding into Ankeny.
The Operating Room is opening in The District in Prairie Trail across from Fong's Pizza. The new space at 1631 Southwest Main St. will be larger than the current one in West Glenn at around 5,000 square feet.
The original location opened in West Des Moines in 2017 and since then, it's been a success, said owner Gregory Yanish.
"A lot of people have been asking for a location on that side of town," Yanish said. "We think the concept is really unique. Ankeny seems to have an underserved night life so we want to answer that as well."
Like his first location, the Ankeny bar and arcade will house a plethora of pinball machines, which Yanish, a hand surgeon in Clive, collects. Modern arcade games will also be available along with prize-earning machines where players can collect points for prizes like iPads, Apple Watches and Play Stations. All of the machines use a game card, Yanish said.
As for the drinks, while typical beverages are available, more creative cocktails are offered as well, including alcoholic slushies and syringe shots.
The decor is medical themed as well, with local doctors creating the artwork on the walls.
"One of our mottos is don’t just stand there, do something," Yanish said. "I think people are tired of just going to a bar and standing around and not doing anything."
The new location will also serve wine and house more recently released games. Kids are allowed to come with an adult until around 7:30 p.m.
The Operating Room in Ankeny is expected to open May 31 with hours between 3 p.m.-1 a.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m.-1 a.m. on weekends.
It will be its third location after opening a second smaller arcade inside The Palms Theatre & IMAX in Waukee in January.
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