The L.A.B.

When you walk into The L.A.B. (Lit Arcade Bar) at 2432 Washington Boulevard, you’re not stepping into just another bar—you’re stepping into a time warp lit by LEDs and nostalgia. It smells like retro joy and fresh popcorn. The air buzzes with the digital bleeps of Galaga and the slap of pinball flippers. Somewhere near the back, someone’s singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart” off-key on karaoke night. And it all works.

The front is all glow and arcade cabinets. But just beyond that, you’ll find the real magic: regulars clustered at trivia night, friends battling in Mario Kart tournaments, and the bar staff pouring local brews like they're keeping score. It's a neighborhood spot built for nerds, gamers, extroverts, introverts, karaoke addicts, and everyone in between.

Owners Nate and Kristin Smith launched The L.A.B. in late 2022 with a clear vision: build a bar for people like them. People who love games. People who love community. People who don’t want to choose between nostalgia and nightlife. And it shows in the way they run the place—tight-knit, welcoming, and a little bit chaotic (but good chaotic).

They’re not just curating drinks—they’re curating moments. Every week is stacked with events that actually matter to the people who come: pinball leagues, Magic: The Gathering drafts, trivia nights that pull real crowds, and karaoke that somehow feels like therapy.

If you’ve never played Big Buck Hunter while sipping a gin and tonic under a disco ball, The L.A.B. is here to change that.

SEE THEIR EVENT LINEUP →

The L.A.B. lives inside a building with a backstory almost as electric as the games it houses. Built in 1901, the structure at 2432 Washington Boulevard is historically known as the Rushmer Building. It’s a two-part commercial block that has watched Ogden evolve for over a century.

Originally designed with Victorian Eclectic flair, it saw its first major transformation in 1939 when the storefront was modernized with black Carrara glass—an Art Deco-style upgrade designed to freshen up downtown’s look during the Great Depression.

But that wasn’t the last update. In 1956, the building got a second facelift: new stucco, bold signage, and a street-level aesthetic designed to stand out in the car-centric commercial era. What’s wild is that both those eras—1939 and 1956—are still visible in the building today. It’s one of the few places on Washington that preserved the layered architectural history, a living timeline in brick, glass, and stucco.

The building has housed all sorts of tenants over the years: shops, offices, and restaurants. But through it all, it’s kept its status as a commercial cornerstone in downtown Ogden. Now, with The L.A.B. lighting it up nightly, it’s stepped into its next chapter—louder, brighter, and more button-mashy than ever.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ITS HISTORY →

The L.A.B. isn’t just an arcade bar. It’s a weekly ritual. It’s where coworkers can go to blow off steam and where college kids could accidentally meet the love of their lives over a game of skeeball. It’s where old-school pinballers hold tournaments on Sunday nights and Magic nerds battle for booster packs on Mondays. It’s where karaoke feels sacred and foosball is a full-contact sport.

They’ve made something rare: a bar that feels like Ogden. It’s got that raw, DIY energy. That we-did-this-ourselves-and-had-fun-doing-it vibe. It’s not curated—it’s lived in. The regulars aren’t just patrons, they’re players. And Nate and Kristin? They’re not just owners—they’re dungeon masters, event runners, and caretakers of the vibe.

Their events are consistent, their games are in working order, and their love for the place is obvious. And the bar? It’s solid. No frills, no pretension—just cold drinks, fair prices, and enough variety to keep it interesting.

So whether you're chasing high scores or just want a spot where you can be loud, weird, and wildly yourself, The L.A.B. is proof that community can be built one joystick at a time.

CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE →

Until next time,

Raw, weird, and local.