Gaming cafes are where the city's locking horns
By the time it’s 10 pm on a weekend, the city goes into the usual rhythm — dinner, maybe a movie and a good night’s sleep. But at gaming cafes , the night is just getting started. Screens glow, voices overlap over headsets, someone is midValorant match, a group is arguing over a last-minute goal; it’s loud, immersive, and oddly comforting.
For many, it’s also more than just play. Vikas Guru, an IT professional who plays regularly with his childhood friends, says, “You work all day, and this is something you do for yourself.” That change, from timepass to something people actively make time for, is exactly why gaming cafes are becoming one of the most popular weekend hangouts.
MORE THAN JUST SCREENS
At Ministry of Esports in Pimple Nilakh, rows of high-end PCs, PS5 consoles, VR setups, and racing simulators make it feel less like a cafe and more like a full-fledged experience zone. But behind that is a clear intent to make gaming accessible.
That balance reflects in the crowd. College students drop in between classes, working professionals walk in after work, and weekends sessions go on for hours.
THE CROWD THAT SHOWS UP
Spend enough time here, and the gamer stereotype starts to dissolve.
What to try at gaming cafes● High-end PC gaming (Valorant, CS, Dota, League of Legends)
●Console gaming, PS5, Xbox, Nintendo (EA Sports FC aka FIFA, WWE, Mortal Kombat, Spider-Man, GTA)
●VR gaming zones l Racing simulators, F1 (static & motion), MotoGP, Forza
●Retro arcade machines l Co-op games like It Takes Two
The competitive spirit of gamingAlongside the casual crowd, there’s also a more structured ecosystem quietly taking shape.
From regular tournaments to brand collaborations and mentorship sessions, spaces are being designed to bridge casual gaming and competitive play. Romir Adhiya, a student and professional Valorant player, is a direct outcome of that ecosystem. What began as casual play during lockdown has evolved into something far more serious for him. “We practice almost every day. The cafe supports us with hours, and in return, we represent them. It’s a proper setup now,” he says.
Approx cost● PC gaming
: ₹50–₹100 per hour
●Consoles (PS5): ₹100 per person/hour, group caps available
●VR gaming: ₹150 per hour
●F1 simulators: ₹400–₹800 depending on setup
●MotoGP simulator: ₹450 for 15 minutes
For many, it’s also more than just play. Vikas Guru, an IT professional who plays regularly with his childhood friends, says, “You work all day, and this is something you do for yourself.” That change, from timepass to something people actively make time for, is exactly why gaming cafes are becoming one of the most popular weekend hangouts.
MORE THAN JUST SCREENS
At Ministry of Esports in Pimple Nilakh, rows of high-end PCs, PS5 consoles, VR setups, and racing simulators make it feel less like a cafe and more like a full-fledged experience zone. But behind that is a clear intent to make gaming accessible.
That balance reflects in the crowd. College students drop in between classes, working professionals walk in after work, and weekends sessions go on for hours.
THE CROWD THAT SHOWS UP
Spend enough time here, and the gamer stereotype starts to dissolve.
What to try at gaming cafes● High-end PC gaming (Valorant, CS, Dota, League of Legends)
●Console gaming, PS5, Xbox, Nintendo (EA Sports FC aka FIFA, WWE, Mortal Kombat, Spider-Man, GTA)
●VR gaming zones l Racing simulators, F1 (static & motion), MotoGP, Forza
●Retro arcade machines l Co-op games like It Takes Two
The competitive spirit of gamingAlongside the casual crowd, there’s also a more structured ecosystem quietly taking shape.
From regular tournaments to brand collaborations and mentorship sessions, spaces are being designed to bridge casual gaming and competitive play. Romir Adhiya, a student and professional Valorant player, is a direct outcome of that ecosystem. What began as casual play during lockdown has evolved into something far more serious for him. “We practice almost every day. The cafe supports us with hours, and in return, we represent them. It’s a proper setup now,” he says.
Approx cost● PC gaming
: ₹50–₹100 per hour
●Consoles (PS5): ₹100 per person/hour, group caps available
●VR gaming: ₹150 per hour
●F1 simulators: ₹400–₹800 depending on setup
●MotoGP simulator: ₹450 for 15 minutes
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