Managing Partner Jake Yakobi had \u201cfun\u201d in mind for everyone \u2013 even those who don\u2019t like arcades \u2013\u00a0 when designing the space. So, he went down the street to Collective<\/a>, a store that sells spray paint, and got recommendations on artists he could collaborate with. \u200b<\/p>\n \u201cMy wife really loves graffiti; she was always taking pictures of different pieces. We lived in the Annex for many years. So, you walk through the alleys, and there are all kinds of graffiti pieces that are ever evolving and changing. And obviously Graffiti Alley is famous here, so we wanted that aspect of art in our space,\u201d Yakobi told Now Toronto.<\/p>\n FreePlay Toronto brings nostalgic memories through its art. The arcade\u2019s graffiti is \u201ccartonny\u201d with elements of the 80s. They wanted to incorporate an 80s childhood feel into their art, such as wrestling, skateboarding, a boom box, or MTV.<\/p>\n But, just three months after opening, COVID-19 hit, and the main narrative throughout the pandemic was to maintain distance. So, Yakobi asked himself, \u201cHow do you survive as an arcade bar without walking?\u201d After some brainstorming, he decided to push the games against the wall, move the console games, and add Plexiglas between them.<\/p>\n But in doing that, there was \u201ca big black wall of nothing,\u201d Yakobi said. So, graffiti artist Jeff Coopman<\/a> sprayed up an 80s-themed art piece featuring skateboard characters from Powell Peralta, Vision Skateboards, and Santa Cruz.<\/p>\n There were even other features such as Duck Hunt (but with pints of beer in his hands), Street Fighter, Mario Bros, and other popular cartoon characters on that wall.<\/p>\n But since COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, the consoles are back in their original spots, meaning the graffiti\u2019s now hidden.<\/p>\n Today, many visitors are unaware that Jeff Coopman\u2019s vibrant graffiti remains hidden behind the games, awaiting rediscovery.<\/p>\n To this day, FreePlay Toronto has had a variety of graffiti pieces, including a full-sized Barbie graffiti piece done by @Dynamo416<\/a> on Instagram, with a multidisciplinary collaboration with a neon sign reading \u201cyou\u2019re like really pretty.\u201d<\/p>\n The most recent is the Kool-Aid guy graffiti art by Jeff Coopman, in the \u201ctrompe l\u2019oeil\u201d (to fool the eye) style, making it seem like he\u2019s breaking through the wall, accompanied by his \u201coh yeah\u201d catchphrase.<\/p>\n This graffiti art isn\u2019t just aesthetically pleasing, it also helps promote their cocktail program, inspired by a few drinks.<\/p>\n \u201cI think [graffiti] is an underrated art form, as far as what they can achieve with literally a spray can,\u201d Yakobi said.<\/p>\n He continues to build community by hosting other artistic initiatives to support local artists, such as hosting DJ open decks.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n \u201cThe community builds us, and we try to build it as much as we can,\u201d Yakobi said.<\/p>\n The graffiti, overall, is designed to support the community and evoke nostalgia, helping families have a \u201cgenerational experience,\u201d Yakobi said.<\/p>\n The newest addition is currently being commissioned by @Durothethird<\/a>. The piece\u2019s details are not yet revealed, but will be completed in the next month, Yakobi told Now Toronto.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/FreePlay-brick-wall-1800x917.jpg\")
This wall is home to ever-changing graffiti art that reflects current trends. (Courtesy: FreePlay Toronto)<\/p>\n