Events DC is launching an esports pop-up bar at SXSW 2019

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been to an esports-inspired pop up bar.

Washington, D.C.’s official convention and sports authority Events DC is returning to SXSW 2019 with one goal in mind: to celebrate the future of esports in the District.

Events DC is launching an esports pop-up bar at SXSW called “Levels Unlocked: House of DC Heroes,” that will showcase D.C.’s esports entities, interactive retro games and shareable social experiences, a press release states.

Events DC is heading to #SXSW and we're all in on esports! #HouseofDCHeroes #RuntheDistrict #NRGFam #JusticeIsServed #DCSportsCapital #esports #SXSW2019 pic.twitter.com/04D6hVI1mP

— Events DC (@TheEventsDC) March 7, 2019

The immersive event activation will include three game-themed rooms centered around D.C.’s esports entities including Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s NBA2K Team, NRG’s Smash Bros. Ultimate and Overwatch League’s newest team, the Washington Justice. There will be open play of all three games during the installation. Drink Company, the masterminds behind D.C. pop-up bars such as Miracle on Seventh Street, Cherry Blossom PUB, and the Game of Thrones PUB, will be sponsoring the decorations and esports-themed cocktails for the night.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Post SXSW, Events DC is bringing the esports pop-up bar home to D.C. in July and August at 1839 7th St. NW.

“D.C. is one of the few cities across the globe with multiple dedicated esports teams and sponsorships, and we are excited to highlight our incredible achievements during SXSW Gaming. This year we will showcase DC’s ties to Overwatch, Smash Bros. Ultimate and NBA2K by bringing these games to life with a pop-up event in Austin and later this summer in DC,” Gregory A. O’Dell, president and CEO of Events DC said in a statement. “Through our efforts at SXSW it is our goal to continue to grow this new market and ignite a new ecosystem for our city with new jobs and opportunities.”

The pop-up bar will also include an esports-themed music lineup with performances by DC DJ, Farrah Flosscett, notable gaming DJs Mega Ran and R.O.C.K.M.A.N, and headliner The Glitch Mob.

“The District continues to make its mark as a first-class hub for all things esports and we are proud to play a role in its rapid growth in our region,” Zach Leonsis, senior VP of strategic initiatives and general manager of Monumental Sports Network said in a statement.

If you’re at SXSW this year, you can visit the esports pop-up bar for free with your SXSW badge on March 13 at 7 p.m. at Trinity Hall on 311 East 5th Street.