I had very high expectations for Abari, probably too high. Given this was the first of it's kind in the Charlotte market, I thought they'd knock it out of the park. Sadly, that's just not how it is.
I've been to a few other bar-cades in other states, and they've been a blast. The perfect blend of nightlife/bar and games. Abari does not have this perfect blend. When you walk in, you're greeted to a cluster of machines in all directions. The lights are too bright, so it doesn't even seem like you're at a bar. In the back corner, there are a few awkwardly placed tables and bathrooms. The biggest kicker (for me) ... THEY DONT EVEN HAVE SKEEBALL!
I also went expecting free games. At the other barcades I've been to, the games were all free as long as you were consuming food/alcohol. This is sadly not the case here, so bring your quarters/dolla dolla bills. They'll give you a roll of quarters ($10) and let you charge it to your drink tab, if need be. I wouldn't waste my time coming back here again unless they change the lay of the land.