LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — For many kids, summer means video games. However, at one Louisville lounge, it’s leveling up into something much more.
“Anybody can pick up a controller and just start playing,” Nima Asgari, President of Olympus Gaming Lounge, said. “Gaming does not discriminate. It doesn’t care how old you are, what your race is, what your color is. It does not care.”
Asgari opened Olympus Gaming Lounge on Dixie Highway for “anybody from the ages of six to 79 years old.” He said it’s Louisville’s first electronic sports and videogaming lounge.
The lounge is located at 4741 Rockford Plaza. The grand opening was May 16, 2025.
Several children said they enjoy coming to the lounge because of the people, the lighting, and “the hype.”
“It’s very fun,” Caiden Farlow, a gamer, said. “You meet nice friends, and you have a good time.”
At 12 years old, Farlow said he dreams of becoming an engineer someday because he enjoys building. That’s his favorite part of Fortnite, Roblox, and several other video games.
He said coming to this $1.5 million space with his sister allows him to play and socialize in a safe environment.
“I made friends cause they played Fortnite with me,” Farlow said.
Asgari is taking that love of gaming a step further and spawning a S.T.E.M. summer camp for gamers in Louisville’s south end.
Starting June 23, Farlow and dozens of other kids will learn how to code and edit, among other skills, at the lounge.
“Where can our kids go?” Asgari asked. “They can’t go on the streets or do anything fun. It’s almost like trouble finds them because there’s nothing better to do.”
The camp runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays for the next month. As of June 20, there are still a few spots open.
It costs $99 each week, but Asgari doesn’t want that to be a barrier.
“Especially families who have more than one kid that would like to participate,” Asgari said.
That’s why children in low-income families can get an additional 20% to 25% off by reaching out to Olympus Gaming Lounge, which has partnered with local businesses to cover that cost.
“If a family needs assistance, we will get some information from them,” Asgari said. “We then reach out to a local business to see if this is someone they have interest in sponsoring. That’s how we are able to subsidize some of the costs.”
For more information on Olympus Gaming Lounge and signing up for the camp, click here.
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