The combination of craft cocktails and classic arcade games creates a nostalgic experience that transports adults back to their youth while introducing younger generations to gaming’s golden age. These establishments go beyond simple bars with a few pinball machines tucked in corners—they’re carefully curated experiences where every cabinet tells a story and every drink complements the retro atmosphere.
The best arcade bars balance authentic vintage games with modern amenities, creating spaces where you can spend entire evenings lost in both memories and high scores. From coast to coast, dedicated owners have rescued classic cabinets from basements and storage units, breathing new life into gaming history.
Here’s a list of 18 vintage arcade bars that make the journey worthwhile for any fan of quarters, cocktails, and classic gaming.
Ground Kontrol, Portland, Oregon
Ground Kontrol occupies an entire city block in Portland’s Pearl District, housing over 100 vintage arcade games alongside a full bar and restaurant. The venue maintains original cabinets from the 1970s through the 1990s, including rare games that most collectors only dream of owning.
Their cocktail menu features drinks named after classic games, while the kitchen serves elevated bar food that pairs perfectly with marathon gaming sessions. The space regularly hosts tournaments and special events that bring together serious collectors and casual players alike.
Barcade, Multiple Locations
Barcade pioneered the modern arcade bar concept with its original Brooklyn location and has since expanded to cities across the East Coast. Each location features 40–50 carefully maintained vintage cabinets alongside rotating craft beer selections that change seasonally.
The company’s commitment to authenticity shows in their restoration work—every game plays exactly as it did in its original arcade setting. Their locations in New York, Philadelphia, and other cities have become destination spots for both locals and gaming tourists.
Logan Arcade, Chicago, Illinois
Logan Arcade transforms a former mattress store into Chicago’s premier vintage gaming destination, featuring over 60 classic cabinets spread across two floors. The venue’s owners prioritize rare and unusual games alongside crowd favorites, creating a collection that surprises even experienced arcade enthusiasts.
Their cocktail program emphasizes classic drinks with modern twists, while the space maintains the gritty authenticity that made original arcades so appealing. The venue hosts regular high-score competitions and special events that keep the community engaged.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Coin-Op Game Room, San Diego, California
Coin-Op Game Room recreates the classic arcade experience with over 40 carefully restored vintage cabinets and a full craft cocktail program. The venue’s industrial design incorporates neon lighting and retro furnishings that transport visitors back to gaming’s golden age.
Their game selection focuses on the most beloved titles from the 1980s and early 1990s, ensuring that every visitor finds familiar favorites alongside hidden gems. The space regularly rotates games to keep the experience fresh for repeat visitors.
16-Bit Bar + Arcade, Columbus, Ohio
16-Bit Bar + Arcade combines extensive game collections with themed cocktails that reference gaming culture in creative ways. The venue features over 50 vintage cabinets alongside modern pinball machines, creating a comprehensive gaming experience that spans decades.
Their drink menu includes cocktails like the “Pac-Man” and “Street Fighter,” while the food program offers elevated versions of classic arcade snacks. The space hosts regular tournaments and gaming events that bring together competitive players and casual enthusiasts.
The 1Up, Denver, Colorado
The 1Up operates multiple Denver locations, each featuring extensive collections of vintage arcade games alongside full bars and restaurants. Their original location houses over 50 classic cabinets, while their other venues specialize in different aspects of gaming culture.
The company’s commitment to game maintenance ensures that every cabinet plays perfectly, while their cocktail programs feature creative drinks that complement the retro atmosphere. Each location offers unique experiences while maintaining the same high standards for both games and beverages.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Emporium Arcade Bar, Chicago, Illinois
Emporium Arcade Bar operates three Chicago locations, each featuring carefully curated collections of vintage games alongside craft cocktails and local beer selections. Their Wicker Park location focuses on classic arcade games, while their other venues incorporate pinball and modern games into the mix.
The company’s restoration expertise ensures that every game plays exactly as intended, while their bar programs feature creative cocktails that reference gaming culture. Each location maintains its own personality while delivering consistent quality across all aspects of the experience.
Up-Down, Kansas City, Missouri
Up-Down combines vintage arcade games with modern craft cocktails in a space designed to feel like the arcades of the 1980s and 1990s. The venue features over 40 classic cabinets alongside pinball machines and modern games, creating a comprehensive entertainment experience.
Their cocktail menu includes creative drinks that reference gaming culture, while the food program offers elevated versions of classic bar snacks. The space regularly hosts tournaments and special events that keep the gaming community engaged.
Insert Coins, Las Vegas, Nevada
Insert Coins brings vintage arcade gaming to the Las Vegas Strip with over 40 classic cabinets and a full bar featuring craft cocktails and local beers. The venue’s location on Fremont Street places it in the heart of Las Vegas’s entertainment district, making it a natural stop for gaming tourists.
Their game selection focuses on the most beloved titles from arcade gaming’s golden age, while the bar program offers creative drinks that complement the retro atmosphere. The space operates as both a casual gaming venue and a destination for serious arcade enthusiasts.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Headquarters Beercade, Chicago, Illinois
Headquarters Beercade occupies a massive River North space featuring over 50 vintage arcade games alongside an extensive craft beer selection. The venue’s industrial design incorporates original arcade aesthetics with modern amenities, creating a space that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.
Their game collection spans from the earliest arcade titles through the fighting game boom of the 1990s, ensuring something for every generation of gamer. The space hosts regular tournaments and special events that bring together Chicago’s gaming community.
Replay Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois
Replay Lincoln Park combines vintage arcade games with modern pinball machines and a full bar featuring craft cocktails and local beers. The venue’s compact space maximizes game density while maintaining comfortable social areas for groups and parties.
Their cocktail menu features creative drinks that reference gaming culture, while the game selection focuses on crowd favorites that appeal to both serious players and casual visitors. The space regularly rotates games to keep the experience fresh for repeat customers.
Bit Bar, Salem, Massachusetts
Bit Bar brings vintage arcade gaming to historic Salem with over 30 classic cabinets and a full bar featuring craft cocktails and local beers. The venue’s location in downtown Salem makes it a natural stop for tourists exploring the city’s historic attractions.
Their game selection focuses on the most beloved titles from the 1980s and 1990s, while the bar program offers creative drinks that complement the retro gaming atmosphere. The space maintains the intimate feel of original arcades while providing modern amenities that enhance the overall experience.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Pinball PA, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Pinball PA specializes in vintage pinball machines but also features classic arcade games in a space designed for serious players and collectors. The venue houses over 100 machines spanning from the 1960s through modern releases, creating one of the most comprehensive pinball experiences on the East Coast.
Their knowledge and expertise in machine maintenance ensure that every game plays perfectly, while the bar program features craft beers and cocktails that complement extended gaming sessions. The space regularly hosts tournaments and special events that attract players from across the region.
Joystick Gamebar, Atlanta, Georgia
Joystick Gamebar combines vintage arcade games with modern craft cocktails in a space designed to feel like the arcades of the 1980s. The venue features over 40 classic cabinets alongside pinball machines, creating a comprehensive gaming experience that appeals to multiple generations.
Their cocktail menu includes creative drinks that reference gaming culture, while the food program offers elevated versions of classic arcade snacks. The space hosts regular tournaments and gaming events that keep Atlanta’s arcade community engaged.
The Basement Arcade Bar, Hillsboro, Oregon
The Basement Arcade Bar creates an intimate gaming experience with carefully selected vintage cabinets and a full bar featuring craft cocktails and local beers. The venue’s basement location adds to the authentic arcade atmosphere, while their game selection focuses on rare and unusual titles alongside crowd favorites.
Their cocktail program emphasizes creative drinks that complement the retro gaming experience, while the space maintains the social atmosphere that made original arcades so appealing. The venue regularly rotates games to ensure that repeat visitors always find something new to discover.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Free Play Richardson, Richardson, Texas
Free Play operates on a unique admission model that allows unlimited gaming for a flat fee, combined with a full bar and restaurant. The venue features over 100 vintage arcade games and pinball machines, creating one of the most comprehensive gaming experiences in Texas.
Their restoration expertise ensures that every game plays perfectly, while the bar and kitchen offer quality food and drinks that complement extended gaming sessions. The space hosts regular tournaments and special events that bring together Dallas-area gaming enthusiasts.
Quarter World Arcade, Portland, Oregon
Quarter World Arcade maintains the authentic quarter-based arcade experience with over 50 vintage cabinets and a full bar featuring craft cocktails and local beers. The venue’s commitment to traditional arcade operation means that games still cost quarters, preserving the original risk-reward relationship that defined classic arcade gaming.
Their game selection spans from the earliest arcade titles through the 1990s, while the bar program offers creative drinks that enhance the nostalgic atmosphere. The space attracts both serious collectors and casual players who appreciate authentic arcade experiences.
Retrospekt, Los Angeles, California
Retrospekt combines vintage arcade games with craft cocktails in a space designed to capture the essence of 1980s gaming culture. The venue features carefully restored classic cabinets alongside modern amenities that enhance the overall experience.
Their cocktail menu includes creative drinks that reference gaming culture, while the space maintains the dark, neon-lit atmosphere that defined original arcades. The venue regularly hosts special events and tournaments that bring together Los Angeles’s gaming community for competitions and social gatherings.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Gaming’s Golden Age Lives On
These arcade bars prove that vintage gaming culture has found new life in the craft cocktail era, creating spaces where nostalgia meets modern hospitality. Each venue offers its own interpretation of the arcade bar concept, whether through extensive game collections, creative cocktail programs, or authentic restoration work that preserves gaming history.
The movement continues to grow as more entrepreneurs recognize that the combination of classic games and quality drinks creates experiences that satisfy both gaming nostalgia and contemporary social desires.
More from Travel Pug
- 20 Best Beach Towns in the Carolinas
- 13 Destinations Where Tourists Regularly Regret Their Trip
- 20 Destinations That Are More Magical Without an Itinerary
- 20 Underrated Adventures That Belong on Your Travel List
- 20 Cities Where You Should Just Wing It, No Planning Required
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.