Victoria's nightlife is about to get a serious upgrade! A familiar spot on Yates Street is getting a complete makeover, promising an experience that’s far more than just another place to grab a drink. Get ready for Glitch Arcade Bar, a new venture by Vancouver bar veterans who are aiming to bring people together in a way that feels refreshingly analog.
Meet the Visionaries Behind Glitch:
Three partners from Vancouver – brothers Tom and Trevor Poirier, along with contractor Dan Haines – are the masterminds behind this exciting transformation of the former Yates Street Taphouse. They've chosen the historic Dominion Hotel building at 759 Yates Street as the canvas for their vision. This isn't their first rodeo; they previously operated two Glitch Arcade Bar locations in Vancouver. While their Kitsilano spot closed its doors in 2024, it seems to have only fueled their desire to create something even better. As part-owner Dan puts it, “We’re not just opening another bar.” Their goal is to cultivate a space where patrons can ditch their devices and genuinely connect with one another.
While the Poirier brothers boast a collective experience of opening half a dozen bars and restaurants, this marks their first expansion beyond the Lower Mainland. Dan joined the team for the Kitsilano venture and is now a key player in the Victoria project.
Why the Yates Street Taphouse?
The decision to acquire the former Yates Street Taphouse was driven by a clear set of criteria: size and location. "We knew we needed a big size," explains Trevor. "This is almost 7,000 square feet." This generous square footage is crucial for housing their collection of arcade games, some of which are quite substantial. Furthermore, the prime downtown location offers a significant advantage over their previous Kitsilano establishment, which lacked that central accessibility. The partners envision a place so engaging that patrons won't want to leave, all while being conveniently situated in the heart of the city.
"So what we like about this is it’s downtown…We’re gonna have the nightclub deal on the weekend so we can keep them here having a good time, but there’s also a reason you’ll stay all night because you can watch the game, and play the games," Trevor elaborates.
Learning and Evolving: Glitch 2.0
This new Victoria location is being hailed as "version 2.0" – a testament to the valuable lessons learned from their prior establishments. "We’re calling it version 2.0 because we realize where we were lacking," Trevor admits. "We were missing the sports," he adds. To address this, the revamped space will feature a dedicated sports bar area. Upon entering, patrons will find an arcade section to their front right. Further into the space, comfortable booth seating, 20 bar seats, and five to seven televisions will create an inviting sports bar atmosphere.
But here's where it gets innovative... The back right portion of the bar is being transformed into a private room, aptly named 'the Miami Room.' This space, designed to accommodate around 20 guests, will be perfect for birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties, or small corporate events. It will boast a tropical theme with pink flamingo wallpaper and palm trees, complete with a Bluetooth stereo and consoles for popular games like Smash Brothers and Mario Kart. A sliding door will ensure privacy for bookings.
Recognizing another gap from their previous ventures, the new Glitch will also feature a dedicated dance space on the left side, complete with a DJ booth and a private VIP bottle service area. Trevor notes that many friends in their early thirties express a desire for "a cool place… a better looking, nicer place."
Revitalizing the Downstairs: A Speakeasy Surprise
And this is the part most people miss... The upstairs capacity is slated for 225 guests, but the downstairs area, which has largely been relegated to storage by previous operators, is being brought back to life. "The last two operators kept saying ‘we’ll get to this’ but then it was just banker boxes full of files, broken equipment," Trevor recalls.
The downstairs will house larger arcade games, including full-size basketball, skeeball, shooting games, and a Jurassic Park arcade machine. Around a corner, a narrow corridor featuring existing plush, red velvet booths will evoke a jazz bar or speakeasy ambiance. "We’re gonna keep the bones in kind of an homage, but we’ll do the speakeasy door, but we’ll do more cocktail-forward. There’s a big cocktail scene here in Victoria as we’re learning," Trevor explains. He envisions this downstairs area as a sanctuary for the "older crowd" and for those in the hospitality industry looking to decompress after a stressful night.
With renovations underway, the partners are targeting a mid to late spring opening. General Manager Julien Chevallier will be relocating to the island to oversee the establishment. "We want to bring back that feeling of gathering at your local spot – where you run into friends, make new ones, challenge someone to a game, and end up in conversations you never planned on having. It’s about being present with the people around you, sharing laughs and friendly competition, and creating memories together in the same room," says Julien.
What do you think about the idea of an arcade bar with a speakeasy downstairs? Does this sound like the kind of place you'd frequent? Let us know in the comments below!
