Where Life Is Just a Game

There’s something to be said for American ingenuity. Badlanz, a new Internet gaming lounge on Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood, is an example of how to turn a bad situation into one with promise. Four ex-dot-commers, who worked together at a now defunct company called Rotor Communications, lost their jobs earlier this year. Pooling limited resources, they decided to employ themselves by creating a high-tech geek arcade called Badlanz.

Although the 3-week-old lounge is a work in progress, the group made some good decisions. First, they chose to locate it in the Cahuenga Corridor, a jumping stretch of Hollywood that now includes Beauty Bar, the Burgundy Room, the Room, Catalina Bar & Grill, Star Shoes and the Hotel Cafe (not to mention that greasy, old-time bar, the Spotlight). Figuring there are people out there who want something different to do, they created a late-night alternative to bar-hopping.

For a visual, picture a college apartment with low-key to no-key decor. The munchables don’t extend much beyond chips and soda. The sign above the door is nothing more than a computer printout. (Hey, remember, these guys are out of work.)

What Badlanz lacks in ambience, however, it more than makes up for in electronics. Owners Dan Tapper, Jake Chacko, David Veillon and Tony Kollar are computer brainiacs and big fans of Internet gaming. They combined their talents and youthful ambition to create a place where they’d like to hang out. Thirty high-speed computers and three PlayStation consoles allow customers to play against someone across the room or out in cyberspace.

For those familiar with this world, some of the games you can choose from: Counterstrike, Everquest, Unreal Tournament, Tony Hawk 3, Anarchy Online, Madden 2002 and NBA Street. For those who are unfamiliar, the Badlanz boys get you up and running quickly. Touting it as “geek paradise,” Badlanz is an ideal place to yap with a tech-head about your own computer woes. Anything beats a call to customer service.

The place is divided into three areas: a living-room-style entrance with big-screen TVs for movie and game viewing; a main computer area, equipped with a “championship” station for the evening’s big cheese; and a room painted in a “camouflage” pattern for additional gaming and private parties.

The venue is open daily from 9 a.m. till 4 a.m., and to play any of its games, it’ll cost you $5 an hour. In three short weeks, Badlanz has already acquired so many regulars, it’s created special member rates, so if you’re a repeat customer, it’ll cost you less. The point is: It may be lacking in posh presentation, but it’s cheap and fun and decidedly boho-a charming and rare characteristic in these corporate tie-in days.

Here’s the bottom line: Just about any moneyed geek can buy a super-fast processor and play these games at home. But if you’re living in a virtual world, Badlanz is a chance to meet some non-virtual people.

Badlanz, 1602 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. All ages. Open daily 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. DJs Thursday and Saturday. (323) 464-LANZ.