Safe, affordable hangout spots are rare. In East LA, gamers turn to BYO Games

Talk to enough young adults today, and you’ll hear a common issue: making new friends is hard, and finding a fun, affordable place to hang out is even harder.

That’s part of what inspired partners Joannalyn Villanueva and Chuck Solis — both Roosevelt High School alumni who grew up in Boyle Heights — to open BYO Games, a retro gaming lounge in East Los Angeles.

“This is the kind of place my partner and I always dreamed of growing up,” said Villanueva. “A place where friends and families of all ages can come together, chill and play our favorite games. Having that today is really special in a neighborhood where we often lack resources, unfortunately.”

Inside the gaming lounge

Since opening in 2022, BYO Games has become a go-to hub for walk-in gaming to tournaments for card games and popular player-versus-player (PvP) games. On any given day, players from across the Eastside and beyond cram inside the cozy lounge to go head-to-head in “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” — the crowd-favorite crossover fighting game on the Nintendo Switch.

“Everyone here, we’re all good friends, some might even say it’s like a family,” said 31-year-old Luis Hernandez, an avid “Yu-Gi-Oh!” player and regular at the gaming lounge. “There’s a place for casual gamers, a place for the competitive scene and really good people here who will teach you the basics of whatever game you’re trying to get into.”

Hernandez, who lives nearby, considers BYO Games one of the few accessible “third places” in the area where everyone is welcome. The cherry on top, he says: “It’s close by, so you can walk or take a bus here, spend very little money and hours having fun.”

For Ricardo Birrueta, a 39-year-old Boyle Heights resident, BYO Games offers “a good distraction and escape” from the real-world problems that many deal with.

“Having an outlet like this keeps a lot of people off the streets, and it keeps you feeling like you’re not alone,” said Birrueta, who has built a strong community hosting games and tournaments for “Magic: The Gathering.”

For many young adults on the Eastside, that sense of belonging is everything— especially at a time when safe, affordable hangout spots are rare, and social media has only deepened feelings of isolation. BYO Games, for them, is more than a place to play— it’s where connection, competition and community come together.

But building that meaningful community doesn’t come without challenges.

Fighting to keep the Eastside gaming community thriving

According to Solis and Villanueva, the business has faced significant financial struggles from the start, and has been on the verge of closing.

The couple originally planned to open BYO Games in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed their goals. Because the building they leased had been left vacant for years, getting the space up and running proved to be more work than expected.

Villanueva recalls having to cancel a tournament when the power went out during the thick of a heated match. In another setback, the lounge closed for three weeks after a part of the ceiling caved in during a 2023 rainstorm.

“Dealing with so many issues so early on into our dream was rough because beyond the financial hit it’s had, every time we close a lot of people who need this space lose their community,” said Villanueva.

Villanueva, 31, and Solis, 41, both avid gamers, poured their hearts into every corner of the business. On the walls are murals painted by Solis that depict video game characters like Ryu from “Street Fighter” and Samus from “Metroid.” Rows of computers offer retro classics, while console games light up a projector wall where gamers go head-to-head playing popular titles.

“I can say without a doubt that there’s a general loneliness across all ages now more than ever, especially with adults and children in the inner city,” Villanueva said. “We’re going to do anything we can to keep the doors open.”

In recent months, the couple has looked to creative ways to keep the business afloat — from hosting fundraisers and events, to rolling out promotions and advertisement campaigns. They’ve also launched a fundraising campaign to keep their dream alive.

East L.A. locals give back despite struggles

But even in the face of challenges, Villanueva and Solis remain committed to giving back to their community.

Currently, BYO Games helps sponsor an esports team at Collegiate Charter High School of Los Angeles, an effort they want to extend to more schools in the area. Sponsored student clubs are invited to use the space at no cost and are treated to snacks and refreshments while competing at the gaming lounge.

Johnny Cano, an 18-year-old student and an avid member of the esports team says participating helped him build a strong bond with fellow students, practice his gaming skills and explore opportunities in the gaming community.

“When you first walk into BYO Games, it’s such a crazy thing realizing we have a nice space like that here,” said Cano, who has served as a commentator for the team’s livestreams. “There’s all kinds of games you can play on a professional level, and I think some of our members might explore that. For me, I might look at doing commentary when I go off to college.”

The lounge also offers many free services for local youth, from elementary through high school. In the future, Villanueva hopes to provide gaming classes and create guides to popular games, complete with guidance from coaches.

If they can keep the gaming community alive in the neighborhood she calls home, Villanueva says, all the struggles will have been worth it.