Everything is clicking for a local business owner who opened up the nation’s first cyber bar and grill in Urbandale last week. A variety of patrons, ranging from teenage computer geeks to Baby Boomer executives to senior citizens inching onto the information highway are frequenting the one-of-a-kind business for its computer gaming and online services, as well as its food, drinks and ambience.

“Everybody likes it because it‚s a fun, cool place,” said Jeff Green, the 30-year-old co-owner of Click’s CyberBar & Grill, located at 3719 86th St. “You won’t believe it until you see it. It’s the official bar for the 21st century.”

Green, a graduate of Iowa State University, applied his computer wares for the U.S. Army for eight years before teaching Microsoft certification courses at AIB and serving as the information technology director at Hamilton Business College.

He said he found his calling with Click’s last year. He credits his sister-in-law for giving him the idea to peddle cocktails and computer games to executives. His plans were to open the business in February, but delays in financing and other start-up glitches stalled its premiere. Now, with the financial backing and hands-on assistance of family members, Green has aspirations to grow the business into a franchise operation one day.

“If it wasn’t for my family I wouldn’t be here,” said Green, who is president of Zoie Corp., the owner of the bar. He shares ownership of Zoie with his wife, Andrea, and his parents. His brothers help tend bar and provide technical support. “I’m lucky,” he said.

Unlike Internet cafes and gaming stations at some businesses, Green said Click’s offers customers access to the latest computer and gaming technology for $5 per half hour in a smoke-free environment. Customers who pay for three hours get a fourth hour free. A custom tracking system keeps track of how long customers are logged on to the system, but basic membership is free. Some of the bar’s games include America’s Army, Doom, Elite Force, Half-Life, Jedi Knight II and several versions of Quake and Unreal Tournament. Click’s will also offer Command & Conquer Generals in the near future.

Home to 50 high-end Shuttle XPC systems connected online by T1   Internet access and 11 booths with 17-inch flat-screen televisions, Green said Click’s would be just another bar if it wasn’t for its online gaming and social interaction.

“That’s why cyber cafes don’t do well,” he said. “Who wants to sip $8 lattes and surf the Web? We get families and groups of people who like to play games against one another. It’s a great stress reliever and way to interact with people. It beats playing games at home by yourself.”

Clicks also offers traditional “20th-century” bar entertainment: pool,darts, Foosball, and arcade games such as Megatouch, Golden Tee 2004 and BuckHunter 2. Those who spent their formative years during the early 1980s will appreciate the bar’s free Atari service in its television booths with a one-drink minimum, said Green.

“It’s all about the games,” he said. “They remember the games they played as a kid, and it’s a lot of fun for them to relive the old-school games.”

Clicks‚ menu ranges from CyberBurger and grilled chicken sandwiches to Joe Corso pizza and a bevy of appetizers and desserts. At the bar, players can choose from eight beers, soft drinks, and frozen beverages that are served with or without alcohol.

A number of signature drinks also add flavor, including Cyberita (a frozen traditional or strawberry margarita), Blue Screen of Death (a blend of four liquors and secret mix), Ctrl-Alt-Del (a mix of Jagermeister and Red Bull) and  Ctrl-Apple-Reset (a fruity drink for Macintish users).

“We have unique food and drinks,” said Green. “I had no idea what would sell, but the kitchen is a bigger hit than I anticipated. It’s a credit to our cooks and bartender.”

As the only certified Microsoft bar in the country, Click‚s is an authorized Shuttle XPC reseller as well as a Microsoft OEM Systems builder. And at “Click’s University,” customers can learn basic computer techniques or take Microsoft certification courses.

Green said if all goes well, he hopes to expand the business in the near future.

“I believe in it,” he said. “I hope we can expand. It’s time to let go of some of the old ways of running a bar and use new ideas without giving up traditional standards. I want this to be a comfortable place for people to hang out and have a good time.”