Standing out in the bar scene isn’t easy, but Score!, a new arcade bar on Welch Avenue, offers something that traditional bars don’t: the chance to play old school video games while drinking and socializing.

“It just appeals to a different demographic that doesn’t necessarily want to go to these typical bars,” said Dan Green, co-owner and ISU alumnus. “It kind of just gives you an option for something different, which is a pretty rare thing for Welch Avenue.”

Green, along with co-owners Nick Welch and Derek Steinke, opened the bar hoping to attract a different kind of crowd.

“This isn’t going to be everyone’s favorite bar,” Green said.

Score! has 14 different stand-up games for patrons to play, which cost 25 cents each round. The bar quickly worked itself up to 14 games from the original seven games it offered when it first opened in late March.

“People are really excited about all of them,” Green said.

Green and his business partners, who were inspired by other arcade-style bars in cities such as Des Moines, searched for the video games at auctions, on eBay and on Craigslist. Prior to the bar’s grand opening, one of the owners even traveled to Chicago to pick up a few of the games.

According to Green, the establishment has gotten a lot of attention from students and has had great feedback from patrons.

“We’re already at the part where we have regulars,” Green said.

The video games that line the walls at Score!, which can hold 83 people at capacity, will be switched out occasionally to keep things interesting for patrons. Along with the stand-up games, Score! has couches nestled into its corners with TVs for patrons to play Mario Kart and Super Smash Brothers for free.

“My favorite part is that they have Mario Kart in the corner here with a nice couch, and it’s free,” said James Slagle, senior in mechanical engineering.

Green said that the bar acquired its name because it referenced the video game aspect without being too over the top.

“We just wanted something that was subtle and could be a bar name and an arcade game,” Green said. “We’re a bar first and an arcade second.”

As well as offering an unconventional atmosphere to socialize in, Score! will host video game events and competitions in the future. Green said that they were considering having Mario Kart and Super Smash Brothers battles and a “king of the arcade” style competition, where competitors would be required to play every game in the establishment and tally-up their scores for a final total.

“It’s a chill atmosphere,” said Michael Peters, who plays Mario Kart at Score! with friends.

Bar-goers who are looking to experience ’90s nostalgia and escape from the traditional bar scene can check out Score!, which is located at 124 Welch Ave., from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

“The place kind of runs on nostalgia,” Green said.