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Emilly Prado
Emilly Prado is a writer, award-winning journalist and consultant living in Portland. Read More
The Best Arcades in Portland
Find the perfect Portland bar or family-friendly arcade for playing pool, pinball or classic video games.
Emilly Prado
Emilly Prado is a writer, award-winning journalist and consultant living in Portland. Read More
Going to an arcade is a fascinating, multisensory experience that has never been just for kids. Arcades in Portland offer visitors plenty of opportunities to dive into a good game. Read on for our picks, from family-friendly arcades to pinball-packed dive bars and adults-only arcade bars.
Arcades Across the City
Family-Friendly Arcades in Portland
Avalon Theatre & Wunderland
Have hours of fun at very affordable prices at Wunderland, a family-owned local chain of arcades and theaters around Portland. Second-run shows fill the screens at Oregon’s oldest operating theater, the art deco Avalon Theatre & Electric Castle’s Wunderland on Southeast Belmont Street. The Avalon has housed a “nickel arcade” since 1925, and still offers a vast array of arcade games, plus air hockey and other favorites (though they’ve since transitioned from literal nickels to a swipe card system, games are still priced by the number of nickels, and most cost just a few to play). Head to the suburban Wunderland outposts in Gresham, Beaverton and Milwaukie (a farther-out location can also be found in Salem) to pair arcade fun with other rousing activities like laser tag, miniature golf and go-karts. There are more than 100 arcade games in each location, with plenty of opportunities for ticket collection. All ages.
Punch Bowl Social Club
This sprawling establishment occupies the entire third floor of downtown Portland’s Pioneer Place mall and boasts a catalog of entertainment options. Explore an arcade dedicated to golden-era video games and pinball, table-top games and giant-sized versions of Jenga and Scrabble. Find more entertainment in the private karaoke rooms and 10-pin bowling lanes. Punch Bowl has plenty of food and drink options as well — in addition to a full menu of satisfying pub fare, enjoy brunch service, robust happy hour offerings and late-night bites. Open to minors until until 10 p.m. daily.
QuarterWorld
This historic theater-turned-arcade is home to nearly 100 arcade games and pinball machines plus two full bars. Most games range from $0.50 to $1 per play and include selections such as big- and small-screen Pac-Man, Time Crisis II and Mario Bros. Catch live Tessi shows (a custom-built musical Tesla Coil) at QuarterWorld on the first Thursday of every month at 9 p.m. Don’t miss the pun-filled food menu of kid-friendly “bytes” and “Super Smash” burgers (adults can also share vodka-spiked “Luigi’s Mansion Party Bowls”). Admission is generally just $2 per person. Open to minors until 7 p.m., Saturday–Sunday.
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Portland Bar Arcades
Ground Kontrol
Portland’s best-known bar arcade is Ground Kontrol, a monstrous, two-level gamer heaven beloved by locals and visitors alike. Founded in 1999 (and expanded extensively in 2018), Ground Kontrol houses more than 60 video games and 40 pinball machines. Bring a group to tackle the fan-favorite Killer Queen, which accommodates 10 players at a time. Gaming on a budget? Several times a month, the arcade hosts unlimited free play parties for just $6–12 at the door. Open to minors until 5 p.m., Friday–Sunday.
Standard Tavern
For those seeking a classic Portland dive setting, head over to the Standard Tavern, just off East Burnside Street. Named one of Portland’s last true neighborhood bars by Willamette Week, this straightforward, dimly lit watering hole offers stiff drinks and a selection of gaming options including pool, pinball, Pac-Man and more. For the extra adventurous, try your luck at a mystery bag from the joyous and wacky Venderia vending machine on-site. 21+.
Retro Game Bar
Providing arcade fun in the Woodlawn neighborhood since 2019, Retro Game Bar has been likened to the living room of that one childhood friend who had every video game and system in existence (and probably a pool, too). While away the hours playing a slew of vintage consoles, from Super Nintendo to Sega Dreamcast to Xbox (the original!). Plenty of couches and ‘80s/‘90s vibes go well with their numerous themed events. 21+.
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