# Resurrected LAN Cafes The Waypoint Cafe is Reinventing the LAN Cafe for the Modern Era By Justin Lam | Published 2018-02-26 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waypoint-cafe References: [kotaku](https://kotaku.com/the-lan-cafe-is-making-a-comeback-1823232102) & [waypointcafenyc](https://www.waypointcafenyc.com/#!contact) The Waypoint Cafe is part of a resurrection that is looking to bring back the local LAN cafe. Located in downtown Manhattan, this revamped LAN cafe ditches the seediness of 2000s spaces and instead offers high-end performance PCs, luxury service and an overall ambiance of modernism. The decently sized space currently charges $5 per hour to play competitive games on its computers and a $40 an hour room for broadcasting games on a $3,500 top-of-the-line PC. The LAN center also offers a basic cafe menu including coffees, teas and an assortment baked goods. More LAN cafes and LAN centers like the Waypoint Cafe are starting to see a resurgence mainly due to the rise of [eSports](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/belong-gaming-arenas-1) and game streaming. The communal spaces serve as popular recruitment spots for [eSports teams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/intel-x-team-liquid-world-tour) and provide amazing experiences for [viewing live eSports events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fornite-pro-am-2025). As owner Gino Gigante explains: "It’s not a LAN center; it’s an eSports arena," as the space may be used regularly for gaming, but it owes much of its success and continued support to eSports. Image Credit: Waypoint Cafe ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 31% | Activity: 34% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/games) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Resurgence of LAN Cafes:** The rise of eSports and game streaming is bringing back LAN cafes as communal spaces for gaming and live eSports events. - **Luxury LAN Experiences:** Revamped LAN cafes like the Waypoint Cafe are offering high-end performance PCs, luxury service, and a modern ambiance to attract gamers. - **Esports Recruitment Hubs:** LAN cafes are becoming popular recruitment spots for eSports teams, providing opportunities for scouting and talent discovery. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Gaming:** The resurgence of LAN cafes presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the gaming industry, creating new spaces for community engagement and live esports events. - **Hospitality:** The luxury LAN experiences offered by revamped LAN cafes open up disruptive innovation opportunities in the hospitality industry, combining gaming and high-end service to attract a new customer base. - **Streaming:** The rise of LAN cafes driven by game streaming highlights disruptive innovation opportunities in the streaming industry, providing dedicated spaces for broadcasting and viewing live esports events. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Revamped Esports Facilities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/team-liquid-1.md) - [Toronto-Based Esports Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fragfest.md) - [British Esports Venues](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/level-tap.md) - [American Esports Training Facilities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uplink.md) - [At-Home Gaming Servers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alienware-concept-nyx.md) - [Gaming Cafe Loyalty Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sidequest-vip-membership.md) - [Restored Cafe Culture Retailers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-coffee-house.md) - [Cafe-Based Watch Parties](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sidequests.md) - [Interdimensional Gaming Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alienware-x-twitch.md)