Coolest Video Game Bars In The Real World

Video Games

Feb 6

Arcade Machines in a bar — Image Source: Theme Park Tourist

Playing video games at home is fun, but sometimes it is more fun to get out of the house and, well, play video games at a bar. There is already a way to tell what your favorite cocktail is based on your favorite lightsaber, who knows what can be gleaned from a person’s drink and game combo? Gaming while enjoying an adult beverage is becoming a common favorite hobby as young adults across the country are flocking to these new hotspots. Most of these locales feature classic games, though some have modern console gaming, as well (who knows, someday you may need to prepare to play the new Jedi: Fallen Order game at a bar someday). These may not be classified as cantinas like the one at Galaxy’s Edge, but they are five of the best video game bars you will ever come across.

5. Up-Down (Kansas City, MO)

While the parking situation on the outside never feels ideal, you will feel right at home once you step into the Up-Down bar arcade in Kansas City, Missouri. The arcade has two floors full of classic arcade games and pinball machines. The bar has plenty of all-time great classic arcades like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Street Fighter, Donkey Kong, and a Mario Kart racing game. There are also several fun pinball machines, including one that's themed after Star Wars. Perhaps its biggest highlights are the giant four-player Pac-Man versus and the projector screen that often plays Mario Kart, both of which provide plenty of four-player competition. The bar includes plenty of nourishment, as well, featuring dozens of beers on tap and good-tasting pizza.

There are multiple Up-Down locations in other cities such as St. Louis, MO, Minneapolis, MN, Nashville, TN, Des Moines, IA, and Oklahoma City, OK.

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4. The Archives (Burlington, VT)

The Archives put a focus on high-quality craft beer and even have a house-made specialty cocktail named after the bar itself. They have plenty of wine options and pride themselves on finding drinks on the rarer side. On the food side, their specialty is a cheese plate that is a mix of cheddar, cranberry, pistachio crackers, rotating mustards, jams and spreads, and roasted almonds with olive oil and sea salt.

Not only is alcohol aplenty here. The Archives features at least 30 high-profile arcade games across multiple eras of gaming like Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Donkey Kong Jr., Centipede, Robotron, Asteroids, and Galaga. They have classic gun games like Area 51. There are also shooting and fighting games like Mortal Kombat II, Marvel v. Capcom, Metal Slug, House of the Dead 2, and Time Crisis 2. Patrons can also check out licensed games like The Simpsons, Die Hard, and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, as well as the sports classics NFL Blitz and NBA Jam.

The Archives’ hidden gem, though, is the PlayChoice 10 arcade machine. Made by Nintendo back in 1986, these machines could feature up to 10 games that were only available on the NES home console.

3. Kung Fu Saloon (Austin, TX)

The Kung Fu Saloon first opened in Austin, TX, but has expanded to six locations total—four in Texas, and 1 in Nashville, Tennessee. All the arcades are alike in that they provide multiple venues of entertainment. They have billiard games like shuffleboard, foosball, ping pong, skee ball, and giant Jenga and Connect Four games, as well as board games. They also feature several fan-favorite arcade games, such as Galaga, Centipede, Ms. Pacman, NBA Jam, Mortal Kombat, Golden Tee, and Big Buck Hunter.

These bar arcades offer a full bar with plenty of domestic and craft beers on tap, as well as cocktails and other adult beverages.

2. 16-Bit Bar+Arcade (Multiple Locations)

This chain of video game bars sprawls across the United States, from North Carolina to Ohio, from Tennessee to Indiana. They feature arcade classics like Asteroids, Burger Time, Centipede, Galaga, Joust, and even Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong. Their adult beverage lineup includes cocktails, drafts and cans, wine, and even mocktails. 16-Bit further spices things up with theme nights, tap takeovers, and pop-up tournaments.

1. Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade and Bar (Portland, OR)

This arcade has been in operation since 1998 and may be the most stylish, eccentric aesthetic of any bar arcade in the United States. Ground Kontrol put gaming at the forefront, with a robust lineup of more than 100 arcade and around 40 pinball machines, not to mention karaoke to the tune of the Rock Band video game and instruments. The entertainment does not stop there, though. They offer a full bar, and frequently bring DJs and comedians to add to the fun.

While bars with video games are cool, bars based on popular shows like The Simpsons or Family Guy, both of which have been renewed for at least two more seasons, should become a trend someday, too.

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