Enjoy games and bar fare

Champs opened a little over two months ago on Waialae Avenue, between 9th and 10th avenues. It’s a place to play games, with a bar in front and a "Casino" Corner arcade in back — like a miniature Dave & Buster’s.

A step through the front glass doors gives a straight view through the establishment, all the way to the back game corner. A line of six tall, two-seater red circular tables stand in the center, with five low four-seater red square tables hugging the left wall, along with a row of game machines. The bar fills the space along the right wall, with 18 high chairs for patrons to occupy.

Midway, between the bar area and the arcade, is a redemption center with prizes such as speakers, PlayStation 4 games, a Blu-ray player, etc. Most of the machines cost $1 or $2 per play, except for the coin pushers.

Eight TVs — four behind the bar and four above the low tables — give patrons easy viewing of sporting events and news stations.

Champs takes over the space from former adult arcade WZ Family Entertainment Center. That company ran into controversy when operating in other locations as Winner’z Zone, with gaming machines that offered cash prizes. Winner’z Zone shut down its operations last year after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from the city prosecutor’s office and re-branded itself as WZ Family Entertainment Center. Now the owners have renamed the space in Kaimuki as Champs.

The experience

On our first happy-hour outing, the cook was out. My friend was happy with a $3 Bud Light Platinum — that was a very good price — and Gina enticed me with a tasty Old Fashioned ($6.50). I’d never tried one, and she said hers were the "best." It was pretty good! We stayed for one drink and left, knowing we would have to return to check out the food.

On our second visit there were nine patrons at the bar during the afternoon — eight more than the last time we were there — and the male bartender quickly took our order. I ordered another Old Fashioned (at $9 for a better class of bourbon), to see whether Gina really did make it better. She did. Although both cocktails were smooth, Gina’s Old Fashioned had a hint of orange in each sip and was a little sweeter than this bartender’s concoction.

We were sitting next to a group of five men talking story over beers and hot dogs, and there was music coming through the speakers but we could still talk to each other without yelling. I enjoyed the relaxing and unpretentious atmosphere.

Better yet, we lucked out and found metered parking right in front of the bar for both visits. Free parking is available in the building, but it’s first come first served in a small lot shared with other businesses. Entrance for the lot is located between JJ Bistro & French Pastry and Champs.

The food

If you’re looking for a cheap, light meal, Champs may be the place to go. You can get two sliders and a beer for less than $10 anytime, happy hour or no.

The happy-hour special is $2 sausages (normally priced at $4) with any beer purchase. Unfortunately, on our visit they were out of bratwurst and hot smoked sausage, so we ended up with the quarter-pound (similiar to a Costco-size), all-beef frank.

We also ordered a pastrami slider ($2.50), which came with melted Swiss cheese on a pretzel roll, and a kalua pig slider (also $2.50), which came with green onions and hoisin sauce on a taro roll. The bread for all the dishes were nice and soft, but the kalua and pastrami were a little dry.

The rest of the menu consists of a grilled cheese sandwich ($6), three different panini ($9 each) and Champs’ signature NY Deli Pastrami Sandwich ($16). While my friend was content with the sliders, I was jonesing for something more snacklike, such as french fries, soybeans or even boiled peanuts — something that didn’t come between two slices of bread. I think the bartender read my mind, because he brought us a bowl of tortilla chips and salsa (not on the menu).

The drinks

As I noted, Gina made a mean Old Fashioned. If she’s making it, I’m buying it!

If you like beer, during happy hour it’s $1 off all beers priced at $6 or less, and $2 off all beers priced over $6. Wines are $5 per glass and spirits are $1 off.

If shots are more your style, the bar’s late-night Reverse Happy Hour would suit you better. During those hours, fireball shots are $3.

The verdict

Champs seems like a great place for beer drinkers, but its food offerings are limited. It’s also a good place to play games. I’ll have to go back with some friends and try my hand at the machines. I could use a Blu-ray player.