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Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade

Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade

Arcade and Cocktail Bar
Portland
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8.9/10
1,025
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    The arcade games at Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade is a can't miss
  • Tips
    J Z.
    "Pinball games and vintage 80's games what's not to love here"(42 Tips)
    Carlos D.
    "new favorites available for a quarter"(16 Tips)
    Josh C.
    "... pinball machines and classic arcade games of the 70s 80s and 90s. Best part is that..."(5 Tips)
    Tim N.
    "All there hotdogs, good stiff drinks and great video games"(17 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon178 Tips and reviews
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  • Evan[Bu]
    Evan[Bu]October 22, 2012
    For those gamers out there, this is a place to see. Bring back those awesome memories as a child. From Donkey Kong to Mortal Kombat, this place has it all! Bring quarters, bring lots of quarters!
  • AD N.heart icon on user image
    AD NysJanuary 18, 2015
    '94 World Cup pinball in upstairs in corner to the left as you head upstairs, opposite Paperboy. Ask for refunds downstairs when pinball eats your quarters.
  • Josh C.
    Josh ChanJuly 7, 2013
    Amazing arcade with tons of pinball machines and classic arcade games of the 70s 80s and 90s. Best part is that the games are still a quarter to play!
  • Heather S.heart icon on user image
    Heather SmithAugust 14, 2017
    We're not arcade people but this place was a blast! They had a tournament going on and the place was packed with fired up opponents yelling and cheering🎉 we tried lots of the arcade games and died ☠️
  • Luke M.heart icon on user image
    Luke MichaelsJuly 7, 2016
    Great arcade with many classic games (Burger Time!) and pinball machines. There is a full bar and many of the items on their food menu can be made vegan.
  • Brian L.
    Brian LeeSeptember 9, 2013
    Heaven on earth for those of us that grew up playing these classic arcades in the 80s. (720, Star Wars, Bubble Bobble, Double Dragon 2). Most games are still a quarter like they were back in the day.
  • Fodor's Travel
    Fodor's TravelSeptember 12, 2017
    Billed as the West Coast’s “premier classic arcade,” the bar preserves the “golden age” of video games with dozens of arcade games and pinball machines. Read more
  • Raquel D.
    Raquel Del FiorentinoSeptember 5, 2017
    Classic games with classic prices. A quarter gets you a game of The Simpsons or Pac Man, and two quarters is a round of pinball. Plus a local brew for $4. RADDEST!!
  • Lucille B.heart icon on user image
    Lucille ButlerSeptember 9, 2016
    Super Mario Kart, a bunch of 4+ player games, TONS of pinball machines and I think I peeped a DDR Extreme machine, all in good condition. Thursday happy hour makes the spot hot as hell temp. wise.
  • Carlos D.heart icon on user image
    Carlos De LeonSeptember 22, 2017
    Awesome venue with a Wargames movie theme that has old classics and new favorites available for a quarter to play.
  • Joe Z.
    Joe ZMay 15, 2013
    Fans of big multiplayer arcade games will find "TMNT: Turtles in Time", "The Simpsons" & "X-Men: Children of the Atom" a great blast from the past. Bring friends to play along for the best experience.
  • Roy B.
    Roy BrittonDecember 2, 2016
    Decent. Small place though. Has a lot of classic arcade games and a nice pinball selection. If that's your thing, can drop 10 bucks and have a good time.
  • _
    _January 19, 2015
    Great cheap arcade games for $0.25 or $0.50 a round. Grab a drink and some snacks. You're going to stay a while.
  • Charles S.
    Charles SimmonsMarch 16, 2012
    Whenever you're in Portland, come here for your classic arcade game fix. Beer and Wine and the hard stuff soon to come. Light refreshments and great fun for everyone.
  • Fernando M.heart icon on user image
    Fernando MelendezNovember 11, 2017
    Games. Classics, newbies,but mainly the classics. And all the pinball you can handle!
  • Andre W.
    Andre WyattFebruary 20, 2015
    This bar is home to one of the three copies of Killer Queen, the hottest arcade game since Asteroids. Bring a couple friends and experience it here first.
  • amy D.
    amy DubinOctober 27, 2011
    Super fun arcade that has a full bar, food, glowy tables and fun geeky events. I like to just choose from one of the 50 pinball games they have and lose gracefully to my boyfriend. Always fun!
  • Brian L.heart icon on user image
    Brian LJune 9, 2019
    Been here 5+ times
    Amazing classic cabinet collection and the custom brewed beer was great too!
  • JessC ⚓heart icon on user image
    JessC ⚓December 14, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    Fun and cheap date place. Bring quarters to play the games and wear shoes you won't cry over when someone inevitably spills beer on them.
  • Jason S.heart icon on user image
    Jason ShellhammerAugust 9, 2019
    Awesome collection of arcade machines and pinball machines. Would return.
  • Chrisheart icon on user image
    ChrisJuly 31, 2014
    This place is awesome! The arcade machines are outfitted with cup holders so you can drink alcohol while playing old-school arcade games.
  • Doug V.
    Doug VannFebruary 13, 2022
    This place is awesome! For this visit, the price was $10 for a 300pt card. Most everything I played was 10 points per player.
  • Greg M.heart icon on user image
    Greg MilaniOctober 4, 2014
    A must go place for gamers aficionados
  • Ben G.
    Ben GJuly 12, 2013
    Great place for out of towners. Awesome staff, friendly vibes and cheap drinks. Definitely plan on ending your nights here.
  • Anastasia X.
    Anastasia XJuly 20, 2013
    This place rocks! I could play video games all night. So much fun on the classics, Galaga and Star Wars. Also serves food and drinks. Loads of fun.
  • Mark B.heart icon on user image
    Mark BrennemanDecember 25, 2014
    Killer queen is a great game. Play with at least 6 people. Ask others to join in the fun. They will thank you for teaching them
  • Peter S.heart icon on user image
    Peter SchneiderSeptember 16, 2016
    Fun environment for old school arcade video games, with a nice addition of good food and drink.
  • natattack_77
    natattack_77October 21, 2013
    I'm sad to be leaving Portland because I fell in love with this place. My childhood was thankful for the visit. Best hour of my life and $3 I ever spent!
  • Mazda
    MazdaOctober 26, 2010
    In 2003, five lifelong pinball and video game fans joined up and purchased the arcade, moving it to bigger and better digs in Portland’s historic Old Town/Chinatown neighborhood the following year.
  • Joshua C.heart icon on user image
    Joshua ConleyDecember 21, 2015
    Arcade games, pinball, and booze! Hell yeah! Gamer grub and quarter slots for the win!
  • Marc C.heart icon on user image
    Marc CharbonneauAugust 8, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    Pinball, video games and beer. Sometimes crowded and loud, but still fun.
  • Karl H.heart icon on user image
    Karl HobartAugust 9, 2015
    Amazing arcade with cheap drinks, classic consoles and cutting edge pinball.
  • Alex B.
    Alex BrehmAugust 8, 2014
    Come on man! Quit hogging Space Invaders! Play a variety of games while you're here (that's the whole point).
  • Micah S.heart icon on user image
    Micah SpielerJanuary 11, 2015
    Time crisis is in the back corner, and pin ball is upstairs. Bar doesn't open until 5pm, btw.
  • Joseph L.heart icon on user image
    Joseph LeOctober 16, 2016
    Awesome pinball machines! Most are only 50 cents each
  • Rachel M.
    Rachel MercerOctober 7, 2011
    Owners are super friendly and will give out free-plays on the spot. Also: 4 player Pac-man is the great equalizer - beloved by bros and nerds alike.
  • Joseph L.heart icon on user image
    Joseph LeJanuary 7, 2018
    Awesome arcade with local beers. Check the website for events.
  • carrie k.heart icon on user image
    carrie kissellAugust 29, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    check out free play every second Thursday and last Wednesday! (but please don't so I don't have to wait in line)
  • Justin Q.heart icon on user image
    Justin QuinnFebruary 21, 2012
    Been here 50+ times
    The food is awesome! Nachos, hot dogs, even the potato salad. Everything is cheap and fresh. They have booze now too!
  • Ros H.
    Ros HodgekissApril 17, 2013
    If you're a retro game enthusiast, this is your Nirvana. Drinks are reasonable, however the food is kiddy party fare - c'mon, who really ate well in the 80's?
  • Brandi W.
    Brandi WilliamsFebruary 5, 2012
    Arcade games for every taste, freindly bartenders and staff, great vibe. Be prepared to lose your nerd boyfriend to this place!
  • Matt
    MattFebruary 17, 2013
    Been here 100+ times
    Coming on a Friday or Saturday? Get here before 8:30 to avoid the line and always check the table for drunk noob credits.
  • J T.
    J TJanuary 7, 2014
    Get there early so you can get the full food menu. Nothing goes better with video games than vegan corn dogs.
  • Tim H.heart icon on user image
    Tim HarrisonMarch 29, 2015
    A fantastic place to grab a beer and play some well maintained pins!
  • Amy R.heart icon on user image
    Amy RobertsonApril 27, 2018
    Mostly pinball. $4 beers from 5-7pm make for a cheap break from the day
  • Tantek Ç.heart icon on user image
    Tantek ÇelikJune 24, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    If you're from out of the country, bring your passport. Australian and Canadian IDs are technically (and actually - if it's busy) insufficient.
  • Tim N.heart icon on user image
    Tim NortonJanuary 27, 2016
    All there hotdogs, good stiff drinks and great video games
  • The Mac Store
    The Mac StoreJune 24, 2011
    We have to agree with the below statement from Amanda P. PBR and Pinball. We would recommend getting there early on the weekends. It can get crowded.
  • Lori B.
    Lori BiletnikoffNovember 2, 2014
    A great place to play all the old games. Adults only...which is nice
  • Topher J.heart icon on user image
    Topher JamesApril 25, 2018
    Beer and video games. Or video games, then beer. Whatever makes you happy.
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