Why: Vault 31 Bar opened approximately two months ago in the space previously occupied by Flyboy. The bar aims to provide a place to game and chill, with everything from board games to esports. If you are a gamer, this place might just become your go-to, with cocktails, beer and food to accompany your game.
What I tried: My dining companions and I tried the Up With Pork pizza and the Glowing Sea pizza as well as the Hedgehog hot dog.
The Up With Pork pie combines Canadian bacon, salami and bacon with a red sauce pizza base and mozzarella cheese. This was our favorite of the two pizzas that we tried. Although it had three different varieties of pork on it, the overwhelming flavor was the bacon. It had a generous amount of topping without being overloaded and the crust was supportive. The Glowing Sea pizza begins with a pesto base. Chicken, spinach, mushrooms and black olives complete the pie. I was impressed with the quality of chicken used. It was better than the usual grade of chicken used on pizza, which in my experience is typically very dry and has an unpleasant reheated flavor.
The pizza crust was medium thickness with a golden crisp edge. It possessed a cracker sort of flavor instead of a classic yeast type.
Dining out guide
Vault 31 Bar
Where: 316 S.E. 123rd Ave., Vancouver
Hours: 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday
Contact: 360-771-8426 or www.vault31bar.com
Health score: Vault 31 Bar has received a Pre-Opening Inspection and is scheduled for a routine inspection in the near future. Zero is a perfect score, and Clark County Public Health closes restaurants with a score of 100 or higher. For information, call 360-397-8428.
The Hedgehog dog is a Kobe beef dog topped with chili, mozzarella cheese and onion. It is served with potato chips. My dining companion ate this and noted the hot dog did not have any snap to it. He preferred the pizza.
We all had a beer from tap, which was refreshing with our meal selections.
Menu highlights beyond what I tried: The Konami Code pizza is topped with Frank’s RedHot or Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce, chicken, green peppers and onion. The Piranha Plant combines green peppers, spinach, mushroom and onions. Jalapeno pepperoni and black olives top the Fire Temple pie. Green peppers, mushrooms, black olives, onion and sausage make up the Super Mushroom Bros. pizza. Classic cheese pizza is also on the menu. The most interesting combination is the Vault Hunter PB+Jzuh made with raspberry, grape or strawberry jelly and crunchy or smooth peanut butter. In addition to the Hedgehog hot dog, there are plain dogs, a vegan dog and the Double Damage hot dog, which is topped with pizza sauce and cheese.
Atmosphere: The layout has not changed from the former tenant, though surfaces have been repainted with a darker palette. Multi-colored lighting features add some interest and the large-screen TVs are set to game with. Bar-side seating spans the full length of the bar and tables and chairs and benches fill in the open floor.
Other observations: Service is friendly. The caliber of pizza exceeded our expectations. The vibe fits the bar’s theme. Facebook is a good source for information about gaming events at Vault 31.
Cost: Pizzas are 10 inches and range from $7 to $13. Any pizza may be ordered as a calzone for an additional $3. Hot dogs cost $8 and $10. Air-fried chicken tenders are $8. Cocktails cost $6 to $10. Bottled beer and tap selections are comparable to other bars.
