Cineplex launches extensive gaming, food, and entertainment centre Rec Room Brentwood in Burnaby

While many British Columbians struggled to fend off boredom during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, an antidote has just opened up that should help compensate for the lack of things to do over the past year—the province now has its first location of an immense entertainment and food complex in Metro Vancouver that boasts an overabundance of options.

Cineplex’s Rec Room opened up at 1920 Willingdon Avenue at the Amazing Brentwood shopping centre in Burnaby on July 5.

Cineplex previously launched Rec Room locations (ranging in size from 30,000 to 50,000 square feet) in Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, London, Mississauga, Toronto, and St. John’s, with a forthcoming location to open in Barrie, Ontario.  

Back in 2017, Cineplex originally announced that the Rec Room Brentwood was slated to open in 2019 before it was postponed and rescheduled to open in 2020—until the pandemic hit and the opening was delayed once again.

Now open, Burnaby’s over-43,000-square-foot Rec Room Brentwood combines gaming with food and entertainment, and offers over 90 amusement games.

There’s everything from pool and ping pong; old-school video games, including Atari Pong, Mario Kart, and the world’s largest Pac Man; and VRX racing simulators; to redemption games, such as Monster Drop, Crossy Road, Tons of Tickets, and Down the Clown.

Players can earn credits, tracked on wristbands, that can be used to receive prizes, treats, and toys.

Beyond tech and games, there will also be live entertainment with musical acts, comedians, DJs, trivia events, and karaoke, once provincial restrictions permit these activities to go ahead.  

Plus, there are several food and drink options.

The Canadian-inspired restaurant Three10, featuring a diverse menu, including shareables, such as tempura jalapeños, lettuce wraps, and edamame hummus; salads, bowls, and tacos; burgers and sandwiches, like the lumberjack burger (with an egg) and the spicy chicken sandwich; pizzas and main dishes, ranging from mac and cheese to herb-rubbed Atlantic salmon with mashed potatoes and vegetables.  

The Shed, with a range of snacks and handhelds, like chicken and waffles, Jamaican tacos, or mini Mexican corn dogs; premium poutine and fries; made-to-order funnel cakes; and drinks, along with big screens for sports fans to catch the game on.

Meanwhile, the main bar offers up to 16 draught beers on tap, plus wine, cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, and more.

The complex also hosts private and corporate events, celebrations, meetings, team-building gatherings, and parties.

During the pandemic, the venue will be following protocols and procedures in line with provincial health guidelines, including enhanced cleaning and safety signs.

It’s all located right beneath the new Cineplex VIP Cinemas Brentwood, which opened on July 7. Cineplex theatres reopened in B.C. on June 15.

Cineplex had also announced in 2019 that another location of the Rec Room had been scheduled to open at 885 Granville Street in Downtown Vancouver this year but it has been rescheduled to open in 2022.