Popular Sydney gaming restaurant to shut down
Another Sydney restaurant has closed down, leaving eight people unemployed.
Popular Japanese gaming restaurant ESC, which operated by the mantra “Eat, Play, Chill”, will close its doors on March 29.
The novel restaurant not only offered a dining experience, but gaming rooms with PS5s and Nintendo switches as well.
ESC owner told news.com.au, “Staff have been informed in mid-February so they would have sufficient time to search for new jobs, and we will continue to provide any support as much as we can during the transition.
“We can tell you frankly and proudly that the business has not owed any employee salary by using our personal funds to keep the business running for the last two months.”
The Chatswood business has no outstanding debts, but said the shutdown was due in part to post covid slowdown and “because of our own inefficacious management that failed to sustain the business”.
“As a retail business owner I have noticed that customers are now more cautious on how to spend their money on dining and entertainment,” the owner said.
“We did receive quite some feedback regarding the pricing.”
There were 25 PS5 games customers could play and 32 Nintendo games
including Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart.
ESC launched in 2022 and had 9000 followers on social media.
Apart from games on the menu, the restaurant offered a deluxe sashimi platter, wagyu skewers and a cheesy mashed potato volcano.
It was well regarded for its food, as well as its gaming experience.
Food reviewer The Food Inbox said in 2023: “The food is definitely not what we were expecting – it was pretty fancy! You can order as you go on the iPad, and they’ll deliver it to your room – no need to interrupt your gaming”.
Another blogger said “You would be forgiven to think these dishes came out of some upscale dining spot, not the kitchen of a ‘gaming restaurant’”.
Jonathan Jackson, 13th March 2024
