Retro arcade

If you want to take a break from the everyday grind and reminisce on the good times of your childhood, be sure to check out Up-Down Milwaukee, the Milwaukee outpost of the Up-Down Arcade chain.

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This Milwaukee barcade is the perfect mix of old-school nostalgia and new age fun, with 13 pinball machines on location comprised of classic Bally and Williams tables plus a few modern Sterns for good measure. The arcade also has skee ball, video arcade games, craft beers on tap, creative cocktails, and hand-made pizzas with unconventional toppings like bacon mac n' cheese.

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It's a great spot for an adults night out - emphasis on "adult", don't bring the kids! And if you're up for some fresh air while you play up your favorite retro classics, they also have a rooftop patio to enjoy when it's nice out.

Tik Tok’s Workshop in Bremerton, WA is a pinball arcade and steampunk bar where the owners are the local repair guys so these machines are always pristine. Tik Tok’s pinball lineup is a rotating collection with modern machines, but they also like to provide older pins that you may have never played and won’t find anywhere else. The owners work to grow the local pinball community by holding training events as well as walkthroughs of individual games and will even help familiarize you with the internal working of a pinball machine and give you basic troubleshooting pointers! Tik Tok’s is still a bar, so patrons must be 21 and up.

Ready for some retro gaming under black light? LeaderBoard Arcade Bar & Pizzeria in Orange Park near Jacksonville, FL took over an Applebee’s and kept the layout: a bar in the center surrounded by modern arcade games, including a great selection of Japanese games, Dance Dance Revolution and modern pinball machines. The pizza alone is worth the trip and the fried jalapenos do not disappoint either. Grab a beer, cocktail or Japanese soda and fill your game card. Time to get on the leaderboard. 

Jeremy's Downtown Arcade in Nampa Idaho is the place to be for pinball aficionados in Nampa. The arcade features an impressive collection of machines, boasting 13 unique pinball titles such as Capcom's Breakshot and Gottlieb's Surf 'N Safari and Gold Wings. That the games are on free play with only a small cover fee at the door makes Jeremy's Downtown Arcade an attractive destination for players in search of some arcade action. The joint also offers a range of classic and modern video arcade games, but unlike other venues one may find elsewhere it has no restaurant attached nor any form of bar - Jeremy's Downtown Arcade is all about the games, nothing else!

Barcade in Brooklyn is the perfect spot for a night of nostalgic fun. This small chain was the first establishment to combine classic arcade games with craft beer and cocktails, offering visitors the chance to relive their youth while enjoying modern adult beverages. Barcade Brooklyn boasts an impressive lineup of 12 pinball machines, plus a collection of classic retro video games for visitors to enjoy. All of these come with a 21+ only rule, making Barcade an exciting adults-only destination. Beer enthusiasts will love Barcade's focus on craft brews as well as inventive cocktails. If you get hungry while you're there, Barcade has small snacks available or you can order delivery from nearby local restaurants. Barcade Brooklyn is a unique experience that combines the best of old-school gaming with modern libations!

Corky's Gaming Bistro in Grapevine is the perfect spot for anyone looking for an exciting night out or weekend activity! It's got a great selection of old school arcade games and up to 12 pinball machines, so you won't ever get tired of the selection of games. Plus, Corky's offers axe throwing in case you want to switch things up from arcade games and pinball, and escape rooms for those that are feeling adventurous. The menu features all your favorite barcade staples like wings, pizza and tacos - plus some fun cocktails to help you celebrate your victory at the pinball tables. Corky’s also has plenty of beer on tap and a solid selection of wines if that’s more your style. And don't forget - Corky's is 18+ after 9pm and 21+ after 11pm, so come early if you're under 21! 

Ten Pin Game Bar, located in Marietta, Georgia, is a new gaming and dining destination that offers a unique blend of entertainment and gastronomy. Situated at 4475 Roswell Rd, Suite 1510, in the Avenue East Cobb, it's part of the Southern Proper Hospitality group and is nestled alongside Tin Lizzy’s Cantina.

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This establishment features 10 pinball machines and a variety of arcade games, making it an ideal spot for game enthusiasts. 

If you’re on the lookout for an electrifying entertainment experience, then look no further than Free Play Arcade in Fort Worth! This small Texas chain of barcades boasts free play games with an entry fee of $12, plus snacks and sandwiches. Speaking of free play games, they’ve got an impressive lineup featuring 12 awesome pinball machines as well as everything from classic arcade games to Dance Dance Revolution, Bubble Hockey and Killer Queen. It gets even better – visiting the rooftop Tiki cocktail and slushy venue will take your experience to a whole other level. For the legal drinkers out there, note that it becomes 18+ after 9pm Sunday through Thursday and 21+ after 9pm on Friday and Saturday. With their unbeatable selection of retro and cutting-edge games, a night at Free Play Arcade will certainly be one to remember!

 The store buys and sells a wide range of new and used games, systems, and accessories, catering to various gaming platforms from vintage to modern. Additionally, Phoenix Games offers repair services for both pinball and arcade equipment, as well as modern gaming consoles. The store is known for its impressive lineup of over 10 pinball machines and more than 15 arcade machines, creating a nostalgic and engaging atmosphere for visitors.

The Emporium is a small barcade chain with locations in Chicago, Oakland, Las Vegas and New Orleans. The San Francisco location is located in the Harding Theater, a historic old theater. The Emporium has 10 pinball machines on location plus arcade games, air hockey, shuffleboard, foosball, skee ball and more. You can bring your own food or have it delivered. The Emporium offers frequent DJ nights and a dedicated dance floor to get your dance on. This arcade and bar is 21+, so adults only at this arcade and bar.

Up Down Arcade Bar in Minneapolis, Minnesota is a must-visit spot for any arcade lover. They have a large collection of pinball machines on location with 12 games to play. Up Down also has other locations in Des Moines, Kansas City, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Nashville and Oklahoma City so if you're ever in the area, be sure to check them out! They have a large craft beer election with 60 beers on tap as well as arcade games, skee ball, console games and more to keep you entertained. If you get hungry, they make pizza on site. Just note that Up Down is a 21+ only establishment. So if you're looking for a fun night out with friends, Up Down Arcade Bar should definitely be at the top of your list!

Do people come to Miniboss in San Jose, CA just for the craft cocktails? Yes, but then they also geek out over the old school arcade with throwbacks like Ms. Pac Man and Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker. Play popular modern pinball like Monster Bash and Theater of Magic for 75 cents or free on Thursdays. This chic retro barcade also offers full table service and Asian fusion cuisine. Try the Winter on Niberu cocktail – it is like a boozy strawberry milkshake.

Up Down Arcade Bar is an arcade lover's dream come true. The perfect place to let your inner child out, Up Down boasts an impressive collection of arcade games, pinball machines, console games, and skee ball. And if that's not enough to keep you entertained, make the night more interesting with a few drinks from their extensive craft beer menu. So whether you're looking to relive your childhood or just want a place to drink beer with friends, Up Down is the perfect spot. Just be sure to leave the kiddos at home - this bar is for adults only!

Prince Arcades in Bolingbrook, Illinois is a great place to get your retro gaming fix. With 10 pinball machines and a ton of classic arcade games, it's perfect for anyone looking for a dose of nostalgia. The focus at Prince Arcades is solely on the games; there's no bar or restaurant here but it's in a plaza where they are plenty around. That said, it's one of the few places where you can get that full retro mall arcade experience, as it's located in an open-air shopping center. Best of all, games are on free play with a $15 admission fee. So if you're in the Chicago suburbs area and are looking for a great place to bring the family (or just want to relive your childhood), Prince Arcades is the perfect spot. And bonus you can play an Al's Garage Band Goes on a World Tour (Alvin G) which you don't see very often in public locations.

When it comes to Cobra Arcade Bar, a 21+ only gaming and nightlife destination in downtown Tucson, Arizona, the Cobra has got you covered for all kinds of fun. As part of the small Arizona-based barcade chain that also has an outpost in Phoenix, Cobra Arcade Bar offers more than just their 9 pinball machines and classic arcade games - they also have regularly scheduled events with DJs and game-themed cocktails like 'Punch Out' and 'Princess Peach.' All this plus draft beer means Cobra Arcade Bar is the perfect place for an adults’ night out - no youths allowed! So, come on down and experience one of Tucson's most popular retro gaming and pinball hangouts.

Yetee Station in Aurora, Illinois is the perfect place to enjoy some classic arcade games. Plus you get tell people you've been to Aurora Illinois! With 10 pinball machines on site, as well as a wide selection of retro video games and dance and rhythm games like Jubeat and Guitar Freaks, there's something for everyone to enjoy. And because all of the games are on free play with a $15 admission fee, you can come and go as you please throughout the day. Yetee Station is also a great place to bring the family and children, as the games are kept in pristine condition so you're almost guaranteed to have a good experience playing here. It's a great spot to play in in a historic downtown with a lot of shopping, food, and a casino right around the corner.

Emporium Wicker Park in Chicago IL is the perfect spot for adults seeking a gaming fiesta. This barcade offers not only an impressive array of 9 different pinball machines (including rare models like Chicago Cubs Triple Play and Austin Powers) but also an exciting selection of other classic arcade games like air hockey and foosball. Emporium does not have any food onsite, however you’re welcomed to bring in your own snacks! And, with a full bar there’s plenty of options to enhance your gaming experience even further. Emporium Wicker Park has all the ingredients for a fun night out in Chicago so come and check out what this pinball arcade has to offer!

Have you been looking for an amazing freeplay retro arcade experience in Richardson? Look no further than the Richardson outpost of Free Play Arcade! With its roughly ten pinball machines on location, plus lots of great free-to-play classic games like Mario Kart and Dance Dance Revolution, this barcade is a great spot for some friendly competition during the day or late at night. Not to mention, cold A/C and free wi-fi make it a great place to kick back and relax during those hot North Texas days. And don't forget about the extensive craft beer selection (note, Free Play Richardson becomes 18+ after 9pm on Sunday through Wednesday and 21+ after 9pm Friday and Saturday) and wonderful selection of snacks, sandwiches and flatbread pizzas! So what are you waiting for? Put your quarters away – Free Play Arcade in Ricahrdson is the perfect spot to show off your old school gaming prowess.

The Detour is a barcade in San Francisco California with an elevated food, beverage and cocktail program. The food menu focuses on pan-pacific street food like a ponzu salad, nori tots, tacos, and pizza (ok pizza may be a stretch on the pan-pacific part but pizza is delicious so we'll let it slide). The Detour has a mix of arcade games, skee ball, arcade style basketball games, pinball and board games for entertainment while you consume your tasty food and drink. The Detour is generally 21+ except for Saturdays from 2pm-6pm when all ages are allowed inside. The Detour has a good sized pinball machine collection with 10 machines on location. The Detour is a classic barcade style location with an elevated food, beverage and cocktail program. The mix of arcade games, skee ball, arcade style basketball games, pinball and board games for entertainment make The Detour a great place to visit in San Francisco California.

Flower City Arcade opened in Rochester, NY with favorite video arcade games from the 80’s including an assortment of Donkey Kong cabinets, PacMan and Ms PacMan, and Centipede, plus bubble hockey, darts, skeeball, and a nice lineup of pinball including Adams Family, Haunted House, Taxi, and Hercules, plus a few electromechanical pins set up outdoors. Games are all set to free play for $12 per person. Flower City was an arcade games distributor from 1940 until 1981, and this iteration of the family business is being revamped by the family’s third generation of arcade enthusiasts, Greg Grillo, who opened the arcade at the age of 20 and has been restoring the machines and improving the arcade since 2018. 

There’s an old school arcade in Indy's mall! Boss Battle Games at Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis, IN offers video arcade cabinets, pinball, console gaming and tabletop gaming in an arcade made to feel like a gaming convention. Pay one price at this retro arcade to play all day on Mortal Kombat, Gauntlet, and Tron, but you may have to drop a few quarters to play Godzilla or Deadpool pinball. Boss is all about the games, so no food or drinks available here. 

Barcade Philly in Fishtown Philadelphia, PA is a comfortable arcade bar featuring craft beer and cocktails alongside arcade classics like Frogger, Centipede and Galaga, plus a rotating collection of classic and modern pinball games. Machines run on tokens worth a quarter and most games cost a single token. Barcade is for adult’s amusement so you must be 21+ except during designated family days. Try one of their killer tacos or a Fat Dogtown hot dog with chihuahuah cheese, braised chicken and roasted pepper aioli. 

Pinstack in Irving (Las Colinas) Texas is an arcade like no other. Pinstack, the popular Texas arcade and bowling chain with locations in Austin, San Antonio, Allen and Plano has brought its unique blend of entertainment to Irving! Pinstack features 10 pinball machines, but also offers so much more. Guests can spend their time trying out some old-school arcade games, a ropes course, laser tag and rock climbing. There’s also bowling plus bumper cars for those seeking an adrenaline rush. Pinstack is even family-friendly; no age limits apply, so everyone from kids to parents to grandparents can find something to do. Even if you’re looking for some air hockey or virtual reality gaming Pinstack has you covered - there’s something for all types of gamers. And don’t forget about Pinstack’s excellent food menu featuring bar and comfort food favorites like pizza and burgers with a full bar to boot!

Keg and Coin is a barcade in Jacksonville, FL  serving only beer – a killer selection – and coin-operated arcade games. This retro 90’s dive is packed with cabinets like Pacman and The Simpsons, plus shooters like Big Buck HD and Area 51, Mortal Kombat II and III, skee ball, foosball, darts and a rotating lineup of the latest pro pinball tables. Keg and Coin is kid-friendly up until 9pm. Sign up for Deathball or Killer Queen tournaments.

Blue Cross RiverRink is an outdoor rink next to a riverside walkway in Philadelphia, PA with ice skating in the winter, rollerskating in the summer, and a carnival atmosphere complete with year-round ferris wheel and boardwalk games and rides. Take your chances bungee jumping or enjoy mini golf, fire pits and smores, funnel cake, and frequent fireworks over the soaring views of the Delaware River and Ben Franklin Bridge. Head inside the indoor arcade for video games, Skee-ball, pinball and more. Don’t worry about having change; you can load up a game card to keep the fun going. If you have Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance, you skate for free!