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Opinion: I toured the Amazing Brentwood's jaw-dropping new Rec Room (photos)

More than 90 games plus a full bar and multiple places to eat
Chris Campbell
Chris Campbell

More than a year ago, I toured the site of Cineplex’s first Rec Room entertainment centre in B.C. at the Amazing Brentwood.

It was late February 2020, construction was in full swing and Cineplex was excited about opening it in the spring.

And then COVID-19 happened.

You know the rest.

But it’s another sign of how things are getting better in the pandemic that the Rec Room in Burnaby is opening this week.

The new 44,000-square-foot complex offers amusement gaming experiences, sit-down dining, quick food while you play over 90 games and feature attractions. This B.C.'s first Rec Room, although another is on the way in downtown Vancouver.

The place truly did blow my mind. It’s huge and stylish, with chic furniture, expansive windows for natural light and plenty to see and do.

“Gamers will be able to focus on fun with VenueSafe, a set of protocols and procedures that Cineplex follows each and every day to keep its employees and guests safe, in accordance with provincial guidelines,” said a news release. “Committed to our guests’ safety, these protocols include enhanced cleaning, safety signage, and a games-floor and dining-space configuration designed specifically to ensure proper physical distancing throughout the facility.

Here are some of the highlights:

  • The Rec Room Brentwood features a massive amusement area where gamers of all ages can play over 90 games.
  • Looking for the ultimate redemption? Credits earned and tracked on RFID wristbands can be redeemed at The Trophy Case, for great prizes and nostalgia-inspired treats and toys.
  • Kick it old school with classic favourites including pool, ping pong, Mario Kart, Atari Pong, and the World’s Largest Pac-Man.
  • Feel the adrenaline in the High-Tech VRX motion-based car simulators and experience the track like a professional race car driver.
  • Join in the live performance space for the best in local entertainment, including musical acts, comedy, DJs, trivia, and karaoke once provincial restrictions are lifted.
  • Got SCENE? The Rec Room guests can earn and redeem SCENE points.

Food

  • The Rec Room Brentwood features multiple dining options with something for everyone. The full-service restaurant, Three10, is inspired by the vastness and diversity of Canada, and its menu of Insta-worthy shareables and handcrafted dishes is sure to satisfy every appetite.
  • Eat while you compete! The Shed features premium poutines, savoury snacks and handhelds, and a sweet selection of made-to-order funnel cakes.
  • Fancy a drink? Between the main bar and The Shed, guests can choose from 16 draught beers on tap, including locally sourced brews, making it the perfect place for sports fans to share a bite and catch the game on multiple big screens.
  • The Rec Room also has a private dining room for celebrations, meetings, team building, corporate events and parties.

The Rec Room Brentwood spans is located directly below the new, soon-to-open Cineplex VIP Cinemas Brentwood, anchoring Phase One of The Amazing Brentwood redevelopment. Both The Rec Room and VIP Cinemas will face onto a one-acre events plaza.