A lost Liverpool video games arcade was a popular hangout for kids in Liverpool to spend their pocket money in the 1980s and 1990s.
With the new series of Stranger Things taking Netflix by storm, the likes of Kate Bush and memories of hanging out in amusement arcades to play the latest video games have been introduced to a new audience. In Liverpool in the '80s and '90s, the Las Vegas arcade was one such place.
Situated on Skelhorne Street, the Las Vegas was an alluring world of neon, retro bleeps and jackpot sounds all emanating outwards as you left the side entrance of Lime Street Station. Games arcades grew out of the boom in video games that took the world by storm in the 1970s and '80s.
READ MORE: Bacon butties and topless dancers: Lost 'eyesore' city centre pub that terrified out of towners
Regarded by many as the best in Liverpool at the time, the Las Vegas arcade was known for housing premium arcade cabinets and was regularly updated with the latest games. So alluring was the arcade for many schoolkids at the time, one former '80s kid on the www.UKVAC.com website (UK Video Arcade Collectors) recalled 'bunking' off school just to play the machines in there.
The user called Equites remembered: "I used to sneak in there, bunking off school spending all my lunch money, I was just fascinated by the video machines. My dad caught me a couple of times, as the arcade was situated right in the city centre across the road from Lime Street railway station.
"He never understood my obsession, and looking back now I guess he was quite laid back about it all. Whatever cash I could get my hands on, it would go straight into the video game machine slots. This is in the days when WH Smith and Boots sold computers, and C&VG (Computer and Video Game) magazine had a program listing pull-out section in the middle."
For more nostalgia stories, sign up to our Liverpool Echo newsletter here.
As video games became more popular they were increasingly played on more and more sophisticated home games consoles which meant the popularity of gaming arcades began to wane. In the same post, Equites recalled the video game machines in Las Vegas being ousted for gambling machines.
They recalled: "Sadly, slowly all the arcade video games started to disappear from Las Vegas, eventually they were taken over by fruit machines and I stopped going. I cannot remember what year this happened exactly."
The latest series of Memory Lane is in major retailers including Asda, Tesco, Home Bargains and selected newsagents now. This series of the bumper picture special looks at fun in the sun - with stunning photographs and treasured memories of family holidays from years gone by. You can also buy Memory Lane online here.
Adding: "At some point, the place closed down as it just went downhill once the fruit machines took over, a different crowd. It lay empty for many years.
"I remember when all the video games disappeared, I went into Las Vegas and asked the operator where the video games were, he said: 'no one wants to play them anymore' - and I learned that some parts were still in the 'store' room."
On the same thread, the post prompted other gamers to comment that the Las Vegas "should be a listed building" and shared their own memories of arcades in their youth.
Forcefulfil posted: "Great story! I think most of us here used to bunk school and hide in the arcades all day? Or was that just me, LOL. Change of clothes in my bag so the operator didn't see my tie and blazer, etc ."
Another member Pacman83 commented: "[Las Vegas] was indeed a premier arcade and a fantastic place to be as a kid," adding: "The days when pocket money and six foot tall magical wooden boxes with games in were king and everything else was unimportant.
"When I restored my battered Pac Man cabaret, I just wanted to bring that back to life a little. Then let everyone else share in that magic that was the '80s and proper video gaming."
Tony Elyod said: "I played my first arcade game opposite Las Vegas in the cafe at Skelhorne Street Bus Station in 1972. It was Atari's PONG [thumbs up emoji]."
While user 'funk' wrote: "Absolutely loved this, I walked past that building every day for god knows how many years and had no idea. Instantly recognised the outside though. Great read and great memories!"
Does the Las Vegas awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
After the Las Vegas arcade closed in the mid '00s, the building took on several other uses including being home to PRM newsagents at one time. In 2017, the building was demolished as part of the redevelopment of the Lime Street area that also included the bulldozing of the old Futurist cinema.
READ NEXT:
17 unearthed photos show lost Liverpool shopping parade in the 90s
Liverpool FC fan who 'barely missed a game' and was 'always smiling' dies
Fascinating images of Liverpool Lime Street are a gateway to the past
Huge outdoor summer cinema event coming to Bombed Out Church
