This is definitely an idea lots of nerds have, which is exactly why it shouldn't be shrugged off. There's a desire for nerds to socially interact with similar nerds, and by and large this has been accomplished by adding social features to the internet.

Well, why not add social features to a game stop? Why not add nerdy features to a bar? A barcade doesn't need to be the last stop. Why not take what we learned about online dating, and use it to improve offline dating?

Maybe people don't want 'a bar revolving around gaming', but it's a thought in the right direction. Barcades and shared hacker work spaces are an actual step in the right direction.

In Portland, OR, it's Ground Kontrol (http://www.groundkontrol.com)

http://manabar.com/ (Zero Punctuation guy)

Add to that a coffee shop around thinking/debating... It's on my friends' lists.