Retro Roots, Rivalries: A Melee Showdown Lives at a Richmond Bar

At Abbey Tavern in San Francisco’s Inner Richmond, a weekly “Super Smash Bros. Melee” tournament draws up to 50 players who compete on vintage GameCube/Wii setups. Entrants pay a small entry fee and a venue fee, the event runs from 5:30 PM to midnight and is volunteer-run, with matches streamed on Twitch. The scene blends social camaraderie with high-level competition, as players travel from nearby and farther away to refine their skill and chase tournament glory, all while Nintendo’s IP remains respectfully navigated.