Move over, Round 1 and Dave & Buster’s. There’s a new multi-entertainment sports venue in Mesa, and you may see locations open up all over the state in a few years.
Taroko Sports, which opened in July in Mesa, is an entertainment center that offers digital batting cages, arcade games, basketball and more. The location recently switched to being open 24/7, with a $14.99 unlimited play from 10 p.m.-10 a.m.
The business is at 1738 W. Rio Salado Parkway in Mesa. For information, visit https://tarokosports.com/.
It’s a big step forward for the Taiwan-based company, which only recently expanded into the U.S. with locations in Katy, Texas and Mesa. For general manager Sam Torres, this decision is part of an overall plan by Taroko Sports to position it as a sports entertainment center for everyone, regardless of age, gender or time of day you’re free. Torres wants Taroko Sports to be a venue where people of all interests and age groups can have fun.
Whether you’re hitting baseballs in the digital batting cages, playing pickup with your friends, gaming at the arcade or just hanging out and eating fried food, Taroko Sports offers many different forms of entertainment.
“We have something for everybody,” Torres said. “We have something for the adults, the kids, and anybody in between. We’re focused on giving them a great experience from the moment they walk in.”
In its origin country of Taiwan, Taroko Sports locations are open 24/7. Torres explained that bringing that to the Mesa location was important, pointing out how it accommodates for not just your average customer, but also those who have to wake up extremely early for work, or those who lack entertainment options due to working night shifts.
“It provides different opportunities for different people. We talk about people who are up early in the morning or are working the night shift and they don’t have a lot for them to do after they get off their shift at 3 or 4 a.m. in the morning,” Torres said. “This gives them an opportunity to unwind and get the stress of everyday life off their chest.”
Taroko plans on adding more locations to the valley. It’s opening a location in Chandler later this October.
Torres said Mesa and its strong baseball culture made it the perfect landing spot for the company’s first location in Arizona.
“We know the size of Mesa and the baseball and softball communities that are already developed there, and we wanted to add to that,” Torres said. “We wanted to give those communities a place to come and have fun and not only enjoy the game of baseball, but to bring your friends and family while doing it.”
Overall, Torres says that if you’re in the area and want to have a good time, regardless of what time of day that is, you should come to Taroko Sports.
“We have something for everybody. That’s what Taroko is all about,” Torres said. “Taroko is your 24/7 playground for fun, competition and connection.”
Connor Van Ligten Reporter | Fountain Hills/Scottsdale
After graduating from Arizona State University's Cronkite School in spring 2022, Connor Van Ligten spent a little over year as a reporter for WWL-TV in New Orleans before finding themselves back in Phoenix in October of 2023. Now back in the Valley and writing for the Mesa Independent and the Daily Independent, Connor is ready to tell meaningful stories and report on important civic issues facing Mesa. Connor is a big fan of the 49ers, Warriors, pro wrestling, anime, dogs and fighting video games.
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