A distributed electronic entertainment method and apparatus are described. In one embodiment, a
central management resource is coupled to multiple out-of-home venues through a
wide area network (WAN). The
central management resource stores content and performs management, monitoring and entertainment
content delivery functions. At each venue at least one entertainment unit is coupled to the WAN. Multiple entertainment units in a venue are coupled to each other through a
local area network (LAN). In one embodiment, an entertainment unit includes a
user interface that comprises at least one
graphical user interface (GUI). The entertainment unit further comprises a local memory device that stores entertainment content comprising music, a
peripheral interface, and a
user input device. A plurality of
peripheral devices are coupled to the at least one entertainment unit via the
peripheral interface, wherein a user, through the
user input device and the
user interface, performs at least one activity from a group comprising, playing music, playing electronic games, viewing television content, and browsing
the Internet.