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A new arcade bar just opened in downtown Des Moines, and it has plenty to offer. Ricochet has a plethora of gaming attractions including pong, darts, foosball, billiards and cornhole.

But this is not bar-cade’s first rodeo. The once-beloved East Village location closed in 2019 with hopes of opening their new location in a larger building, but the COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on the expansion.

Although this project was put on hold, the new location is a popular choice with the Des Moines community. Its new building is located at Capital Square, on 400 Locust St. Suite 105. This location neighbors many other bars and restaurants just off Court Avenue. The spacious atmosphere is surrounded by a large bar serving local beers and cocktails.

     Brad Argo, co-owner of Ricochet, said the idea for the bar started long before they opened their new location.

     “It started with a ping pong club called King Pong,” Argo said. “Eventually we needed to find a new space and that was above Wooly’s. And then it kinda grew and grew and grew and people were like ‘you should be a bar.’”

With that idea in mind, they started to expand the brand. Before they could get started, the COVID-19 pandemic began and their plans were delayed. The people who once loved the previous East Village location were excited to get back to the fun and games. The new location provides more games than the previous location.

     “We have more foosball tables so we just kinda added to some of those things,” Argo said.

     Ricochet has added a multitude of gaming options like pool tables, darts, bumper pool tables, pong tables and cornhole. They have invested time and space into a large gaming area that is perfect for the fun-seeking crowds that they generate.

     “It was designed for people to interact with one another, whether they know each other at that point or not,” Argo said.  “It’s great for groups that know each other, it’s also great for groups to intermingle.”

     Ricochet utilizes wristbands priced at $10, allowing people to play any of the games in the bar.

     “I think it’s fun to learn new games and also teach people new games,” Argo said. “Like bumper pool, for instance, is a game that most people have not played. Once people learn how to play it, they are hooked.”

One thing to note is that Ricochet does not serve food, but it is right next to plenty of local restaurants that Ricochet allows guests to bring to eat while they play.

     “Because we chose not to have food you can select from any other places on 4th Street or Court Avenue and bring it in,” Argo said. “We feel like that helps all the businesses down here that are serving food. Instead of competing with them, we are working with them.”

     The new Ricochet space is perfect for groups to hang out and play games or grab a local beer.