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    Emporium Arcade Bar

    3.7 (121 reviews)
    Closed 3:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Services - Emporium Arcade Bar

    Bartending services

    Event lighting services

    Post-event cleaning services

    Emporium Arcade Bar Photos

    EMPORIUM ARCADE BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Emporium Arcade Bar

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    Alyssa C.

    Super cute and fun spot to hang with friends or coworkers. I stopped by with a small group at around 10:30 pm. The bar wasn't too busy and we were served quickly. You can exchange cash for tokens to play the arcade games. They have some classic pinball games, foosball, ski ball, basketball, and more! The place is pretty spacious and good for large groups. Had a great time!

    Nice tipping system I haven't seen before!
    Marco N.

    Lively "game room" location in the busy Fulton Market area. Good place to have some drinks and have some fun. Wasn't that busy on a Thursday night, but still most of the games in use. Not a large arcade, but a decent variation of video games, pool and some throw games. Do card _everyone_ at the door! Fast and friendly bar service.

    Inside
    Lexi M.

    We stopped in here for a quick drink just and to play some pinball. This place was very spacious and had a ton of other games to play. The games I saw were, pinballs, air hockey, pool, and a shooting game. I'm sure there were others just we stayed in one corner for the most part. Great cocktail menu and and great vibe.

    Nicole B.

    Oh what an experience we had at Emporium! Overall bar tender, Lisa, was great and had good recommendations. We took some friends visiting from out of town, right after brunch, and the bouncer asked our friend to leave. She started to slump and doze off (all makes sense), but the situation was quite confusing that our whole party was asked to leave right after we had put in an order for drinks. After speaking with the manager, we were allowed another chance to finish our drinks, but the experience was tainted and I will not be back. Cool atmosphere, but nothing to set apart from other arcade bars in Chicago.

    Elellta T.

    We decided to check out this place when exploring Fulton market area. I went on a Saturday afternoon and had so much fun. It was not packed and was able to play the games I wanted with no wait times. The service at the bar was also decent.

    Doriee L.

    Chanced upon the Emporium Fulton Market while we were waiting for our table at Au Cheval. We figured that we could waste some time and the Emporium was the perfect place. It had drinks and it had games! The place was a decent size and they had some change machines for you to get quarters from. Most games that they had only required a quarter while some required two. It definitely took us down memory lane with games like pac man, mortal, and teenage ninja mutant ninja turtles. They also had some pinball machines as well. Their bar had a good amount of choices -- I decided to get a strawberry lager to try. It was pretty good! Overall, we had a ton of fun here! I don't think we can spend a super long time here but it's definitely the place to go to spend an hour or two.

    Riley A.

    This place is super cool! It's filled with a bunch of retro arcade games. There's OG games, air hockey, pool tables, skee ball, pinball machines, and more. In order to play games you insert cash into a machine and it will dispense tokens for you to use. We put in $10 and it lasted us a long time. It was pretty busy but it wasn't too crowded where you can't get around or have to wait so long to play games, but we did go at an earlier time. Also, the drinks are pretty good and there's self serve water which is nice. The Emporium was a very fun date night for us. Check it out!

    Pac man my favorite
    Lauren K.

    The most fun I can have after work or on the weekends! My favorite spot for a casual yet fun date night. Prices are SO good here and great place for a bday party/pregame. $5 for a bag of tokens and usually each machine takes 1-2 credits. I love the power up deals: $10 for a glass of draft beer and shot of vodka, tequila, or whiskey! Cocktails are so affordable $12 , beers range from $6-8! Stop by sometime when you're in west loop

    Ryan C.

    We came across Emporium while we were walking off our brunch and figured we'd go in. The space is pretty huge. We came in on a Saturday and it was kind of packed and there was a birthday party going on at the same time. If you're familiar with arcades, they pretty much had all the classics you could think of: NBA Jam, 2 Mortal Kombats, air hockey, skee ball, and tons of pinball machines. Even a photo booth that we used! That's not everything but it was a lot of stuff. They ran on a token system so make sure you bring cash to use in their machines. The bar had lots of different options and had a pretty solid amount of beer offerings too. The prices were pretty standard but I believe they had a beer of the month deal too. We came back when we were in the area on a weeknight and it was a lot more laid back and less hectic than the weekends so keep that in mind. It seems like its a 21 and older spot based on their ID checks at the door. It was a great place to spend a lot of time for not too much money (not including drinks of course). Great chill date night spot especially for before/after lunch or dinner.

    Inside
    Marci A.

    We came in on a Saturday night and left after about 10 minutes because the place is PACKED to the brim with underage kids who reek of marijuana. While idc what they do in their spare time so I didn't mind the smell, I do care about partying with a bunch of underage kids. The person "checking" IDs in the front must not be doing too well at his job. It was uncomfortable trying to enjoy a drink surrounded by high school kids or college freshmen. Thanks but no thanks.

    Maitri S.

    This place brings back all the memories. They have a limited number of games to choose from but it's perfect for a friends hangout or a date night. I enjoyed the air hockey and pinball games. This place also has a very cool vibe and several alcoholic drinks. You must be 21+ to enter. Also a cool thing I found out last time I went, whatever token you don't end up using, you can donate to women's sanitary products project.

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    1 year ago

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    Jason H.

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    5 months ago

    My bestie and I came here for a St. Patrick's Day bar crawl. The place was packed. The drinks were great and the staff were friendly.

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    2 years ago

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    Thanks, Marco! We appreciate you helping to spread the word!

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    6 months ago

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    28 days ago

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    6 months ago

    The music was great, the arcade games were great, this is a place that im revisiting when I have more time.

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    It's the smallest Emporium with some rare pinball games like Caddy Shack and a Cubs game. Good location for 1 right by Timeout Market

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    3 years ago

    Fun place to go with a group because they have lots of games! The drinks are ok but the staff was nice and were quick.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Emporium Arcade Bar

    Do you guys have darts?

    Yes, but if I recall correctly they are the electronic ones.

    Do u have to book a reservation?

    If you have a large group, we recommend going to our website and booking a time. Other than that, you do not need a reservation. We hope to see you!

    Is this place ok for 18 and over? Or do you have to be 21 to enter?

    Hi, Karina! You do have to be 21 and older to enter our establishments.

    Are kids allowed?

    No one under 21 allowed

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Emporium Arcade Bar

    They have a variety of games including old school arcade games, pinball, skee ball, air hockey and much more.

    Mentioned in 24 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Three Dots and A Dash

    Three Dots and A Dash

    4.1
    (4.2k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$

    I made reservations at Three Dots and a Dash to kick off my sister's bachelorette party. She loves…read moretiki bars, so it was only appropriate to gather and welcome everyone. OpenTable only allowed up to 8 people per reservation at a time. We were a party of 13, so I had to split the reservations into two. I made a request for the tables to be close together, but I understood that there was no guarantee the tables could be together. Our reservations were at 9pm, and the place was packed. Three Dots and a Dash did us a solid and managed to reserve an entire alcove for us! I was so appreciative. Loved the vibe at Three Dots and a Dash. It felt much classier, like a mid-century modern tiki lounge. The music was fun too. Instantly recognized a retro Italian song by Pino D'Anglo, which just added to the ambiance. The drinks were great. We ordered a couple of rounds of the shotstapus, and I got the rum barrel for good measure. The drinks were sweet but tasty. Too easy to knock back.

    I heard about this speakeasy Tiki bar on social media. I was very eager to come & decided to stop…read moreby. It was a little challenging to find, and I had to ask a random security guard nearby to ask where it was located. The bar is accessible from the alley. When I arrived, I stood by the host desk for easily 5 minutes as the hostess walked back & forth without acknowledging me. She eventually addressed me to say that I could head on in and that it was standing room available. I went to the bar and it was completely full. I stood by and checked out the drinks menu. Once I was ready, the bartender also ignored me. It took for the seated patrons at the bar to call the bartender's attention and order on my behalf. They added my drink to their tab which was super sweet. I enjoyed my drink and people watched & enjoyed the music. Unfortunately a seat did not become available so I eventually left. Under different circumstances, I would've enjoyed the bar because tropical drinks and Tiki bars are my vibe. This wasn't the greatest experience though.

    Photos
    Interior Entrance
    Interior Entrance
    These Loaded Luau Cheese Fries
    These Loaded Luau Cheese Fries
    Tiki gift shop.

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    Tiki gift shop.
    Ghost Donkey

    Ghost Donkey

    4.0
    (69 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    We originally came to Ghost Donkey as paranormal investigators, after being hired to locate the…read moremissing ghost donkey belonging to a local agave farmer. The case had gone cold--or perhaps mezcal-hot--until we received a clue pointing us toward River North. Ghost Donkey is spacious, colorful, and full of energy, with plenty of bar seating and tables. The music can get loud, but it fits the atmosphere perfectly. The bartenders were constantly interacting with guests, swinging the lights, encouraging the crowd, and turning the entire room into a neon-lit fiesta. They do have a food menu featuring items such as tacos, nachos, quesadillas, and guacamole, but we mostly came for the drinks. Many of the cocktails are tequila- or mezcal-based, which is exactly what we enjoy. The menu is creative, the drinks are strong, and the bar does an excellent job making agave spirits approachable--even for guests who may not consider themselves mezcal experts. After two drinks and an argument with a decorative donkey, we finally found the missing spirit hiding behind the bar. He was translucent, smelled faintly of roasted agave, and appeared to be carrying a tiny map. We followed him through a glowing hallway, down a staircase, and into a secret chamber where he revealed the legendary piñata of Quetzalcoatl, the ancient feathered serpent god. Naturally, we attempted to break it open. Instead of candy, it released a cloud of mystical dust, three lime wedges, and a receipt for nachos. The ghost donkey brayed with laughter, the lights began swinging, and the entire bar erupted in applause. The bartender handed us another drink and told us this happened all the time. Ghost Donkey is a fantastic place to hang out, pregame, and enjoy inventive tequila and mezcal cocktails in a lively setting. Just be warned: you may arrive looking for a ghost donkey and leave having helped recover an ancient Mexican god's piñata. That's simply the sort of evening this place encourages.

    The three stars are for the HH, vibes, and chicken tinga tacos. Other than that, I don't really get…read morethe hype and I've been here several times. The happy hour prices are decent, but I just really don't like the drinks. I feel like the options are limited and just not that good tbh. Reservations are encouraged, but you can also chill at the bar if there's room. This is a spot I'd go to after the main event, not one that I'd specifically leave my house for. Everyone else in my group always seems to enjoy, so maybe it's just me!

    Photos
    Ghost Donkey
    Ghost Donkey
    Ghost Donkey

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    Rossi's Liquors

    Rossi's Liquors

    4.2
    (433 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $

    Friendly and lively dive bar (4/5 Green Stars) Waiting for…read moretake-out from nearby Lou Malnati's, we wandered into Rossi's for a quick drink. It's a reasonably-priced busy dive bar in the heart of Chicago. I asked the bartender if she had a beer + shot deal and she said "no, but you can order a beer and shot." And so we did! Noise level is fairly high, thanks to a lively crowd plus a jukebox. They don't normally serve food but I think are fine with customers bringing in your own food, and you can also place an order from a nearby restaurant (I don't recall which one). And yes, it's cash only so bring some money if you don't want to pay ATM fees! 4 out of 5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact. I like bars that allow customers to bring (or order) their own food - it allows for all diets! The one thing I'd like to see is more beer on tap - even just one good rotating local beer (e.g., Goose Island). Draft beer has smaller environmental footprints compared to bottled or canned.

    Recently stopped by Rossi's Liquors and this place is the definition of a dive bar, in the most…read moreauthentic way possible. After a quick ID check at the door, the bouncer let us know it's cash only (thankfully we came prepared). From the moment we walked in, dim lighting, loud music, and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds gave the vibe of a full-on frat party, but not in a bad way. It's chaotic, energetic, and unapologetically no-frills. There's even a self-serve cooler with drink prices clearly listed underneath. I grabbed a Sapporo Premium, brought it to the counter, and our friendly bartender broke our change and offered a chilled glass to pour it into. Simple and efficient. That said, it was loud, so loud that even whispering-distance conversations were a struggle. The space is small, seating is limited, and since we couldn't snag a spot, we ended up leaving shortly after finishing our drinks. This feels like a better weekday hang than a packed weekend night. Still, if you're looking for a classic, gritty, no-frills dive experience, Rossi's delivers exactly that.

    Photos
    Nightcap
    Nightcap
    Rossi's Liquors
    Rossi's Liquors

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    Gus' Sip & Dip

    Gus' Sip & Dip

    4.5
    (176 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    We were seated quickly, attended to quickly, and it has a great ambiance - it almost feels like a…read morespeakeasy. We got two appetizers, and were extremely impressed by both - they came within 5 minutes. We each ordered a cocktail and they were fantastic as well. We will 100% be coming back.

    This might've been one of the best experiences my friends had on their trip to Chicago. We came…read morehere on a whim based off of convenience. My friend got really hangry at a certain moment while we were walking so we came here since it was open, had great reviews, and appeared to have a happy hour going on. We had to wait a little more than 5 minutes outside for a table, but the host was nice and got us accommodated. We were surprised by the inside and the amount of people dining in. From the outside it looks very basic and nothing too fancy. Our server was great and took care of us well the entire time. We ordered some Long Islands because they had a $6 happy hour up until 5pm and I have to say it's probably one of the best long islands I've ever had. All of my friends agreed as well. We were doing some appetizers so we got their style of cheese curds order, some crab rangoons, and pretzel with sauce/cheese to share. Those cheese curds were insanely good. Everyone at our table LOVED them. We wouldn't stop talking about them and had wished there were more. The ranch was excellent as well. We didn't like their marinara though - a bit too watered down. These curds were shaped more like cubes which isn't the traditional way they look, but unique and SO delicious. We also really liked the crab rangoon here. Pretzel was ok, but nothing crazy. They cheese that came with it was excellent though.

    Photos
    Pinky Gonzales
    Pinky Gonzales
    Gus' The Original Wagyu Beef Dip
    Gus' The Original Wagyu Beef Dip
    Gus' Proper Burger

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    Gus' Proper Burger
    Ila's

    Ila's

    4.8
    (70 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    Ila's is a lovely, hospitable restaurant with delicious food. it was a great experience and I will…read morereturn.

    When I was planning my sister's bachelorette party, I wanted to find a restaurant near our hotel…read morethat could accommodate different dietary preferences (i.e. no pork, vegetarian/halal, etc.). I found Ila's on Google and liked the variety of menu items. The food appeared to elevate comfort food from multiple cuisines, such as American, Italian, South American, Asian, and Southeast Asian. I reached out to the restaurant and was assisted with a reservation for 14 people. Our table was set and ready to go as soon as we arrived at 8:30pm on a Saturday. Overall customer was excellent. Thank you to the hostess for making my sister, the bride, feel special. She complimented her and hyped her up for the night, which was really sweet. Our server was awesome too. He was friendly and highly attentive. Loved that our food and drinks also came out in a timely manner. I enjoyed everything I ate. I had a few bites of the appetizers including the scallops, fried paneer, and 2 kinds of empanadas (corn and chicken). We also got lumpia and a mixed bread platter for the table. Though I didn't have any of the latter, they were a hit at our table. I got the burger as my entree, and it was such a redemption from a crappy burger I got elsewhere earlier in my trip. The double smashed patties were juicy and flavorful. I devoured the burger and loved the thin cut fries. All-in-all, we had a lovely dinner at Ila's for my sister's bachelorette party.

    Photos
    Nico collin's & hugo spritz
    Nico collin's & hugo spritz
    Assorted Savory Kabobs: Paneer, Chicken & Leek, Pork Belly
    Assorted Savory Kabobs: Paneer, Chicken & Leek, Pork Belly
    Happy hour $10 sparking rose. fantastic!

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    Happy hour $10 sparking rose. fantastic!

    Emporium Arcade Bar - bars - Updated August 2026

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