Cyber Hive

Weekend warrior had a different meaning for me when I was a teenager. Whilst I loved to party and sneak into clubs underage, the other half of my personality was unashamedly geeky, and I couldn’t help myself but to hit the net cafes to play videogames with my buddies. Cyber Hive always delivered, and was always a great platform for hours of mindless entertainment.
There’s a huge selection of computers in here, all with top-​notch hardware and software. Though you might run in to the occasional error or non-​working game, there are so many computers in here that you can just jump from one to another if the staff can’t figure out the problem. The smoking room is also a bonus for people like me that need to destress after constant humiliations by getting headshotted by your friends.
Just a warning — people here take their gaming REALLY seriously. Cheating is an absolute no-​no, and there’s repercussions for those that get caught — not by the establishment, but by the angry gamers that you just destroyed for the past few hours. There’s even a sign displayed on the wall telling of this rule, so my advice is if you don’t know how to play fair, stay away from this place!

Hive was one of those places that everyone would go after school for a quick round of Counter Strike or DOTA. It created many classic moments and also many easily forgettable hours of mindless gaming.
In the later years we would go here if the night-​life was dull or we just wanted to shoot things in the face for a few hours. It’s open all hours, so go here if you’re stuck in town during the wee hours.
The person at the desk will always accommodate groups of people a couple computers all adjacent. Snacks on hand, I love the grape sodas and ice-​tea always in arm’s length in my gaming sessions.
Plenty of computers with all the game required to play the night away, just tell the front desk what you’re looking for and they’ll set you up. In the back they have a few old arcade machines that I’ve always wanted to jump on, however I haven’t had the chance.
The bathroom is plastered with interesting graffiti, like hieroglyphics from the old days.

When I was back in college, internet gaming was one of the things I spent alot of my free time on. While I know lately it gets a bad rap as being addictive and causes anti-​social behaviour etc. I have to admit that some of my fondest memories in early University were the times spent when me and my friends would head over to a cyber café and play a few rounds of Counter Strike before heading back to class or heading to the park to play basketball in the evenings.
Cyber Hive located along Grote street in chinatown might not look like much from the street, however once you go inside you are greeted with a clean dimly lit space with a generous suite of computers ideal for the most avid gamer. I think the almost unappealing look from the outside is intentional so as to deter non serious gamers from entering the establishment and to make sure you don’t have random people who just want to walk in and do silly things like check their email or surf Facebook. What? You walked in here and don’t plan on spending at least 2 hours playing DOTA or Modern Warfare 2? Seriously, what were you thinking.
To get started all you need to do is report to the person behind the counter to let them know which computer you want to use and you’re on your way. They charge you by time, so when you’re done all you need to do is get up and let them know to stop your time and you pay what you owe. They have a variety of snacks and drinks available if you suddenly feel peckish and aren’t keen to leave your game just yet.
One of the better cyber café’s in the city area, whenever I feel like getting in a few hours with friends just to kick back relax and frag some baddies, this is the place I’m inclined to go to.