Sticks and Bones pub opens in Weymouth's Hope Square

Shaun Davies, 42, and his partner Rachel Bemrose, 40, from Weymouth, have unveiled the Sticks and Bones gaming bar in Hope Square.

The bar was formerly the Galley Bistro which closed last October. 

Sticks and Bones bar in Hope Square (Image: Alfie Lumb) The venture has created 10 jobs which could rise to 15 - and there could be more when new escape rooms are opened.

Details and designs have been carefully curated around the venue, with themed sections including a medieval tavern - designed for board games in mind - as well as a Star Wars-themed area with video consoles and arcade games.

Shaun Davies, Ethan Hammett, Poppy and Ella (Image: Alfie Lumb) Building work started in mid-April, and after three months the doors were opened.

The couple also run Dead Walk Designs, which makes sets and scenery for theme parks, escape rooms and music festivals.

Mr Davies said: “We were looking all around Weymouth for a place of our own. The town has lots of amazing pubs and clubs, but nowhere for people to just hang out and do something. When this came up it was just perfect.”

A selection of the free games on offer in the bar's medieval tavern section (Image: Alfie Lumb) Mr Davies said his team specialises in 'competitive socialising', where you have something to do when you go out to enjoy a drink.

Mr Davies and his partner spent time researching other gaming pubs in the UK and America.

Joe Coleman, a local sign writer, has lent his hand to design elements. 

A spaceship style walkthrough to the video games section (Image: Alfie Lumb) Mr Davies said: “For the board game section, we went with kind of a Lord of the Rings theme, and for the video games section we went for a Star Wars theme."

He added: “The response has just been amazing so far, people have been popping their heads in and when we opened up lots of people have just been blown away. 

The SNES section of Sticks and Bones (Image: Alfie Lumb) “We hope that this will be the perfect place when it starts raining and there is nowhere to go."

The couple are new to the hospitality industry but have hired experience staff, including general manager Ethan Hammett.

“It’s been a community backed project, with those around us offering us support,” Mr Davies said.

More of the seating section in Sticks and Bones (Image: Alfie Lumb) The bar - which welcomes people bringing in their own games - is also planning to host Magic the Gathering and Mario Kart tournaments, as well as movie nights.

There is a selection of games available for free, as well as a SNES, two Nintendo Switches, an Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. Also on hand is an array of arcade machines, featuring classic games such as Street Fighter. 

Arcade machines in Sticks and Bones (Image: Alfie Lumb) On the top floor the team is planning to open up two escape rooms, with the first earmarked for the October half term.

According to Mr Davies, each experience will be themed, theatrical, and build upon storylines. 

The bar offers its own bespoke drinks - Sticks lager and Bones cider - available on tap. In terms of food, the bar serves deli sandwiches,  bánh mì, a burgers, fries, and light bites.

One of two Nintendo Switch consoles at the bar (Image: Alfie Lumb) Between designing sets with Dead Walk, the pair will keep adding to the design of the bar in their spare time.

Mr Davies said: “Nothing is ever finished, and because we have worked with artists, sculptors and sand designers we have the ability to ever evolve.

“There are so many possibilities, which is really exciting."