KALAMAZOO, MI -- A new retro gaming bar is bringing new options to Kalamazoo's nightlife.

LFG Gaming Bar, which stands for Liquor, Food, Gaming, opens Friday, Nov. 16, at 116 Portage St. in downtown Kalamazoo, in the space that formerly housed Casa Bolero. The restaurant announced in January it would be closing after eight years of business.

The new bar offers an assortment of retro video games, arcade machines and board games, including seven retro video game consoles like Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis and Nintendo 64, and another 10 retro arcade games like "Cruis'n World."

"I'm just super excited because there really isn't anything like this in Kalamazoo," LFG owner Amy Spalsbury said. "I think it's going to add a whole new vibrancy to downtown Kalamazoo."

Spalsbury, 29, grew up in Kalamazoo, graduated from Kalamazoo Central and went to culinary school in Minneapolis before moving back to Kalamazoo about five years ago. She worked at Webster's Prime and Zazio's, and most recently worked at Life Care Center of Plainwell before quitting her job to focus on opening the bar.

She said she struggled to figure out what she wanted to do in Kalamazoo, but was inspired to open a gaming bar here after visiting a similar one in Orlando.

"I was like 'Oh my God, why has no one done this in Kalamazoo?" Spalsbury said.

Spalsbury said a goal of the bar is for like-minded people to get together and meet others in the community.

"I hope (customers) interact with people and say why they love 'Q*bert' or say why Sega Genesis is their favorite of all time," Spalsbury said.

It's a personal passion for Spalsbury as well.

"I've always been a gamer," she said. "My husband and I both really love video games."

Spalsbury said her favorite game is "Sonic the Hedgehog."

LFG will serve game-themed cocktails such as the Mario Tart, made with vodka, triple sec, lemon juice and simple syrup, and will offer canned beer, canned wine and canned spritzers.

Spalsbury has developed a menu of finger foods including "elevated sandwiches" and fried appetizers. They include the Sonic-inspired Hedgehog's Chili Dog, which features a bun from Sarkozy bakery, locally sourced ground beef and a brat from Carlson Farms of Lawton. Spalsbury said she will source food locally within reason.

Food will range in price from $6 to $15 and cocktails will cost between $6 and $9.

Spalsbury, who will serve as executive chef, has hired a staff of 12 people.

LFG will offer Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, Xbox 360 and Playstation 2 video game consoles. The video game consoles are free to play, and the arcade games are played using tokens. A full list of games available can be found on LFG's website.

Any purchase comes with eight tokens, and patrons also can buy additional tokens. Spalsbury said she hopes her bar will serve as a venue for not only adults but also children, who are allowed in until 9 p.m.

"My goal is to have family come out and check out the place, let mom and dad have a beer while their kid plays Mario Kart," Spalsbury said.

Friday's grand opening starts at 4 p.m. LFG will be open from noon to 2 a.m. Saturdays, noon to 9 on Sundays, 4 to 11 p.m. Mondays, 4 p.m. to midnight Wednesdays and Thursdays and 4 to 2 a.m. Fridays. It will be closed Tuesdays.