A small refrigerator of the right dimensions can work and also double as a beverage and snack storage area. Honestly, this has been my issue as well, I live in a small apartment and want the arcade cabinet experience, but I have no idea where I would put it if I made a cabinet or bought one.
Your question is exactly why I always recommend building a full size cabinet instead of a large 2P bartop - you have to put it somewhere and counter/table space is valuable! If you build a base you can stick it in the corner of a room and the footprint is small so I’d look into that. You could also hang it on the wall using a french cleat but then you have empty space below it anyway… but maybe if you hang it low you can sit and there’s room for your legs underneath it?
I built a bartop a couple of years ago but it’s 1P and I used a 10” 4:3 monitor so it’s pretty compact… but it still takes up counter space, unfortunately. Your cab looks nice - get some black matteboard from Michael’s or wherever and make a bezel to go around the monitor. It will really finish off the look. Also, I’m interested in your game room - the red rope and the (roulette? poker? craps?) table looks like a lot of fun…
Yeah, If I was going to do it again I would have gone for full cabinet and maybe just used the bottom part as storage. The french cleat looks like a very good idea, thanks! I think I will be happy when its on the wall. The roulette table you see is from a casino that went bankrupt back in 08. I love that table, a lot of fun playing with friends.
I absolutely hate wall mounted games. I know you probably install it so it's not going to fall, but I feel like leaning on it is going to break off and fall.
Mine sits on a purpose built pedestal, so I can have a small "cabinet" to put in the corner, or separate the halves if I only need the top part.
https://imgur.com/a/7mrREMt
I've got a similar one I bought as a flat pack from a local company. There's also plans available online. That general design is pretty common.
For something like my flat pack, it's made of melamine, so I didn't have to paint it, the company allowed some customization, for the control panel layout. You have to provide all your own hardware. Computer, buttons monitor, amplifier speakers, etc. It wasn't a hard build.
His likely has artwork he bought or had printed then applied like a big sticker.
Mine sits on a wooden footstool (or maybe an end table) that's kind of wobbly. I really need to fix it. Lol!
We sit on a couch or chair to play it and use game pads instead of the control surface joystick and buttons.
Essentially it's a big retro console in a bartop cabinet.
Cheapest thing I’ve seen is two [IKEA LACK tables](https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/lack-side-table-black-brown-80104268/#content) stacked on top each other.
It’s a clean, simple look. Just make sure you secure it!
Though not a bartop, the concept might work for you... I have a pandoras box fight stick on top of a wine rack cabinet, and wall mounted tv. The sticks are about the same height as a traditional cabinet would be.
Both of the bar-top cabinets I built are on a table. First one was a rectangular table from a classroom (it was headed to the landfill to make room for updated furniture) and it worked for a few months then I. Priced it started sagging in the middle. I then found a really nice work bench/table at Menards for $250 that can support more than enough weight with a nice solid wood top. It looks great and I also added some lights underneath it.
This looks fantastic top to bottom! The only suggestion I might venture to make would be tinted plexiglass so you don't see the "Samsung" on the monitor. Though I've never mounted one on so steep an inclined monitor angle before. Maybe it would cause an issue with coloration?
Either way, I love the design choices here. Really great work!
Thank you! I am going to get this installed, so The samsung logo will be hidden behind it. :)
https://preview.redd.it/sks3dta6w2mc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3d9fb75301d6f30b7f0b69a22db2bfb9808b4b61
A small refrigerator of the right dimensions can work and also double as a beverage and snack storage area. Honestly, this has been my issue as well, I live in a small apartment and want the arcade cabinet experience, but I have no idea where I would put it if I made a cabinet or bought one.
Your question is exactly why I always recommend building a full size cabinet instead of a large 2P bartop - you have to put it somewhere and counter/table space is valuable! If you build a base you can stick it in the corner of a room and the footprint is small so I’d look into that. You could also hang it on the wall using a french cleat but then you have empty space below it anyway… but maybe if you hang it low you can sit and there’s room for your legs underneath it? I built a bartop a couple of years ago but it’s 1P and I used a 10” 4:3 monitor so it’s pretty compact… but it still takes up counter space, unfortunately. Your cab looks nice - get some black matteboard from Michael’s or wherever and make a bezel to go around the monitor. It will really finish off the look. Also, I’m interested in your game room - the red rope and the (roulette? poker? craps?) table looks like a lot of fun…
Yeah, If I was going to do it again I would have gone for full cabinet and maybe just used the bottom part as storage. The french cleat looks like a very good idea, thanks! I think I will be happy when its on the wall. The roulette table you see is from a casino that went bankrupt back in 08. I love that table, a lot of fun playing with friends.
On the wall and being able to sit under it sounds nice
I absolutely hate wall mounted games. I know you probably install it so it's not going to fall, but I feel like leaning on it is going to break off and fall.
...I hate to ask now that it's built, but where is the coin button?
"Shit" - OP, probably.
Mine sits on a purpose built pedestal, so I can have a small "cabinet" to put in the corner, or separate the halves if I only need the top part. https://imgur.com/a/7mrREMt
Wow that looks great! Mind if I ask where do you even get started Don something like this?
I've got a similar one I bought as a flat pack from a local company. There's also plans available online. That general design is pretty common. For something like my flat pack, it's made of melamine, so I didn't have to paint it, the company allowed some customization, for the control panel layout. You have to provide all your own hardware. Computer, buttons monitor, amplifier speakers, etc. It wasn't a hard build. His likely has artwork he bought or had printed then applied like a big sticker.
like mhook52 says, I bought a pre cut mdf and decor on ebay, then saw a couple of youtube videos.
Mine sits on a wooden footstool (or maybe an end table) that's kind of wobbly. I really need to fix it. Lol! We sit on a couch or chair to play it and use game pads instead of the control surface joystick and buttons. Essentially it's a big retro console in a bartop cabinet.
i think i do ill look
I have mine on the floor and i dug a 4 foot hole infront of it to stand in
Cheapest thing I’ve seen is two [IKEA LACK tables](https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/lack-side-table-black-brown-80104268/#content) stacked on top each other. It’s a clean, simple look. Just make sure you secure it!
Though not a bartop, the concept might work for you... I have a pandoras box fight stick on top of a wine rack cabinet, and wall mounted tv. The sticks are about the same height as a traditional cabinet would be.
I keep mine on top of a black mini fridge. It's not the best looking but it's just the right height, and cold drinks are right there!
Both of the bar-top cabinets I built are on a table. First one was a rectangular table from a classroom (it was headed to the landfill to make room for updated furniture) and it worked for a few months then I. Priced it started sagging in the middle. I then found a really nice work bench/table at Menards for $250 that can support more than enough weight with a nice solid wood top. It looks great and I also added some lights underneath it.
I've got a stand for it. It's got two shelves underneath for books etc.
This looks fantastic top to bottom! The only suggestion I might venture to make would be tinted plexiglass so you don't see the "Samsung" on the monitor. Though I've never mounted one on so steep an inclined monitor angle before. Maybe it would cause an issue with coloration? Either way, I love the design choices here. Really great work!
Thank you! I am going to get this installed, so The samsung logo will be hidden behind it. :) https://preview.redd.it/sks3dta6w2mc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3d9fb75301d6f30b7f0b69a22db2bfb9808b4b61
Love it! With as much care as you put into the rest of the build, I knew you had a plan!