schools
Inside the Koreatown night spot that became a Street Fighter boot camp
By Ezra Salkin at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 27, 2026
· 4 min read
Down Back Club night at Mama Lion in Koreatown.(Ezra Salkin / LAist)Twice a month, a popular night spot in Koreatown is transformed into a makeshift boot camp for a cadre of gamers to achieve mastery of old-school arcade games.Their recent goal: training to take home the prize at the EVO esport c...
Key takeaway Their recent goal: training to take home the prize at the EVO esport championship in Las Vegas this weekend – where the main attraction is the latest edition of the ‘80s franchise, Street Fighter 6 – and to put SoCal on the map.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The Down Back Club's presence in Koreatown reflects the neighborhood's evolving identity as a hub for diverse interests and communities. By repurposing a cocktail lounge as a gaming space, the club showcases the area's versatility and willingness to accommodate unique gatherings. The fact that Mama Lion, a longstanding bar, is now hosting gamers alongside its regular clientele demonstrates the blurred lines between traditional nightlife and modern entertainment. As the club's membership expands to include players of all levels, it may attract new visitors to Koreatown, potentially boosting local businesses and fostering a sense of community among gamers and non-gamers alike. The club's impact on the local esports scene will be worth watching, particularly if its members can put SoCal on the map at the EVO championship, bringing recognition and prestige to the region's gaming community.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: June 27, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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What is this story about? Down Back Club night at Mama Lion in Koreatown.(Ezra Salkin / LAist)Twice a month, a popular night spot in Koreatown is transformed into a makeshift boot camp for a cadre of gamers to achieve mastery of old-school arcade games.Their recent goal: training to take home the prize at the EVO esport c...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 27, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ezra Salkin at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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