1. Emporium Arcade Bar

1. Emporium Arcade Bar

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San Francisco, CA

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Emporium Arcade Bar

4.0 (743 reviews)
Open 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
Updated a few days ago

Services - Emporium Arcade Bar

Bartending services

Event lighting services

Post-event cleaning services

Emporium Arcade Bar Photos

Business Info

EMPORIUM ARCADE BAR ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Hipster
Casual
Loud
DJ

Recommended Reviews - Emporium Arcade Bar

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Reviews With Photos - Emporium Arcade Bar

Screen
Diana M.

We watched the FIFA World Cup Final here and it did not disappoint. Large screens all around the arcade so you can view the game from many different angles. Bartenders were friendly and quick. They also have a photo booth by the front entrance. It was $8.50 for two prints on in black and white and the other in color. A fun place to have drinks and play some games.

Auriana N.

Such a great time was had at Emporium arcade. It's the perfect spot for a simple night out. My favorite gems were the pinball machines, there's so many to choose from and it's hecca cheap! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great environment all in all.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

Sonic fighting game
Joseph T.

Stopped by one night with my wife and my friend as we were looking for a bar and a good time. Once I saw that it had arcade games, I was already sold on going. They have a large variety of games from pinball, skeeball, head to head basketball, fighting games, racing games, and more. The bar was kind of crowded, but the team was quick and made sure that we got everything we needed. For the drink selection, they have non-alcoholic/mocktails, house cocktails, and frozen drinks/cocktails. [[HIGHLIGHT]]If you feel like dancing, they also have a dance floor where you can get down and have a good time with your friends.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall fun spot in SF![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

Hope D.

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Such a cute spot for date night or even a night out with your friends.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The orangesicle drink was sooo good, I'd highly recommend. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Depending on the night, it may be a bit busy but the vibes are great.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]There's a screen with a movie playing, good music and good drinks.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

TMNT
Jesse F.

Cheap but strong drinks!!! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Not gonna lie, I forgot to take photos because the vibes were lit.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I had a fruity pebbles Horchata Slushie with the most insane kick of rumchata. And I spent 2 hours playing street fighter drinking a Yoshi's Island Slushie. These slushies are the perfect consistency since they use like a pina colada slushie machine. And the bartenders are great at discovering who the next customer is. I never felt skipped and I always had swift service. TMNT, Metal Slug, Street Fighter, Sonic Rumble, Fruit Ninja, Basketball, Mario Kart etc. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Theres alot of games to choose from and you can bring in outside food.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They were so nice.

Marquese C.

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Fun arcade bar that has tons of games that bring back those old time memories.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]A few games I enjoyed were NFL Blitz, Mortal Kombat & Basketball pop shot.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The bar service was great, very energetic bartenders here. Def worth a visit if in San Francisco.

Stephanie A.

First time coming here with several friends and everyone had a great time. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a fun place to have some drinks while playing games or just simply dancing with the DJ having some great time.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The bartenders were all friendly and the drinks were pretty affordable. I got my gin and tonic for $10 and it was pretty strong. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The DJ played some great music too that night.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

Top view of the arcade
Hannah C.

One of my favorite spots to go to with new friends, old friends, big parties, and small hangouts any day of the week--the Emporium is always a fun space on Divisadero with lots of seating, neon lights, and things to do! They have a lot of events that they promote on their Instagram page--I usually go on Service Industry Night on Mondays for free tokens if you work in the service industry but there are also anime nights and furry nights if you're into that! It's also a fun space to watch any sports games on that comically large screen. There are lots of retro games on the bottom floor, mainly for 1-2 players. There are also tons of pinball machines, a DDR machine, 2 skeeballs, and 2 basketball hoops. My favorite games are Killer Queen (a 5v5 team-based game with 3 rounds) and Pac Man (a sit-down 4-person classic Pac-Man game). If those games aren't your cup of tea, they also have a few pool tables, foosball, and air hockey tables. And if THOSE aren't your cup of tea, on the higher floor has another bar and larger seating area to just chill. There's a great selection of local beers and drinks. Highly recommend coming here, especially on a random week night. Weekends can get very packed and more of a loud club-vibe. Definitely worth the trek to Divisadero!

Stefanie C.

I had such a blast coming here with friends! Wide variety of games from pool and air hockey, to DDR and skeeball. We played them all! After debating between all the delicious drink options at the bar, we ordered cocktails and headed to the token machines. Customer service was great. We played many rounds of games, staying for hours. It got crowded but not annoyingly so. Most machines were in perfect working order - sometimes when they're not well-maintained it can get frustrating - and I liked the background movie & music. Would come back again!

Denise C.

Years ago ..interesting ..at least SF was super cool and nice urban designers ...arcade movement ..video games ..is super ..upstairs seats from an old theater ..Boston new York ..syke ..SF is a hipster town ..

Jas L.

Stopped by Emporium Arcade Bar with a friend after having lunch nearby. It wasn't crowded when we went, but I could definitely see how this place would be a lot of fun during an event or party. There's a great mix of classic arcade games, pinball, pool, and air hockey etc. The space itself has a cool vibe with neon lights and a relaxed, open layout. I'd love to come back when there's a DJ playing or during one of their themed nights.

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Review Insights

26 days ago

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2 years ago

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You're officially our favorite hype-person! Thanks for high vibes.

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Page 1 of 19

Emporium Arcade Bar Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Emporium Arcade Bar

Does anyone know if they'll be open this Sunday (new years eve)? If so, will there be a cover charge?

Hi, yes, the venue is open, and the cover is $10!

Do you still have the Ice Cold Beer game?

We do, but the game is currently being repaired.

Are kids allowed?

We are 21+ venue.

Does this place have food?

Is proof of Covid 19 vaccine still required?

No, it is not! We look forward to seeing you.

What time will you be open on Saturday 1/14 (would like to watch the 9ers game)?

Venue will open at 1PM

Is the NYE party 18 and up? 21 and up? Who is allowed in.

Emporium is a 21+ venue.

Is there tap to pay available?

No. Cash or card.

Is there a cover?

There is no cover! They just check IDs and bags

Do you need to be vaccinated to enter?

No, or at least they didn't check me when I went last Thursday

What time on sundays is it usually crowded?

We accept walk-ins. If it's for a large party, we would recommend informing us or you can book a reservation on our website.

What are your guys' Covid protocols? Is mask required inside? Is proof of covid 19 vaccination required to enter? Or can you use a proof of negative test result? Visiting from SD, looking to check this place out! Thank you!!!

Hi, Jenny! We strictly follow all city covid mandates including the mask mandate. We currently require proof of vaccination for entry.

Can you rent a space for birthday parties? If so, how much would it cost for a group of less than 50 people?

Hi Julie, yes you can, in most cases it is free. Start planning it out with us here: https://emporiumsf.com/groups/

Do they have tekken?

Emma, we currently do not have Tekken.

Is there an entrance fee?

No, there's not an entrance fee.

Does this location require proof of vaccination for entry?

Yes

Are there age restrictions?

Yes, we are 21+ only, ID required for entry. No exceptions.

Are you open for memorial weekend?

Hi! Yes we are open Memorial Day!

Are you guys open?

Not yet. We will update our website and social media with reopening updates as they become available.

Is there an age limit?

You have to be 21+

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Review Highlights - Emporium Arcade Bar

They have basketball hoops, game machines, big four in a row, air hockey, driving games, etc.

Mentioned in 77 reviews

Read more highlights

Lore Speakeasy and Escape Room - Matcha Redbean, A5 Wagyu & Truffle

Lore Speakeasy and Escape Room

4.5(95 reviews)
1.2 miMission

The craft cocktails are fantastic and designed to mimmic Asian dishes…read more Korean Cold Noodles ($19) Probably the most unique cocktail, and equally as delicious. Pandan Vieux Carré ($22) By far my favorite cocktail of the night - very well balanced, spirit forward but also bright and silky. A5 Wagyu & Black Truffle Old Fashioned ($25) This was also fantastic, rich and buttery old fashioned with truffle accents. The A5 Wagyu is sourced from the Niku Steakhouse local butcher shop! Ube Cheesecake ($19) Wonderful dessert cocktail to finish the night. We didn't have time to try the Escape Room connected to the Speakeasy, but we'll be back! There are two rooms, one in the front with a puzzle theme, and another in the back with a Middle Earth (Lord of the Rings) vibe. Staff was friendly and took time to explain the clever menu to us!

Lore's Wonderland escape room was a fun and delightfully whimsical experience. **This review is…read moremainly for the escape room, as we did not order any additional drinks outside of the escape room.** THE SPACE // Lore Speakeasy and Escape Room has cool themed decor everywhere, from the dimly-lit speakeasy/bar room in front, to the Middle Earth/Lord of the Rings-themed board game room, to the individual bathrooms, and of course the escape room's multiple Alice in Wonderland-themed rooms. Clearly a lot of effort went into building these rooms and evoking a certain vibe for each. THE ESCAPE ROOM // The puzzles in the escape room varied in difficulty - some required us to think a bit more, some required our observational skills to work harder, and others required a light level of physical skill/movement. We were perplexed a few times but never got stuck for too long, as the White Rabbit (played by Phoenix, the live actor/puzzle master) would jump in occasionally to provide clues over the speaker or in person. It took us about 1 hr 20 min to finish the entire escape room; I thought the pacing was good. THE [ESCAPE ROOM] DRINKS // Lore's escape room experience comes with "a flight of themed cocktails or mocktails, including "potion"-style drinks that are integrated into the experience as you progress", per the website. We got to choose one cocktail/mocktail option (Korean Cold Noodles) from a list on the website, and the other two drinks are pre-selected to supposedly fit into the Wonderland theme, with the flavors described online as "berry" and "peach". You can get both cocktail and mocktails for your party, in case some people want alcohol and others don't. We all enjoyed the flavor of the Korean Cold Noodles cocktail, which was refreshing and surprisingly a bit minty in the mocktail version. However, we didn't like the two other two pre-selected themed drinks as much. The "berry" drink gave us cherry cough syrup vibes, and the cocktail version of it was quite strong. The "peach" mocktail drink reminded me of canned fruit syrup; we also were missing the two cocktail versions, though we decided not to ask for them as the mocktail version already was less than impressive. One other missed expectation here was the size of the drinks that we received in the escape room. We were expecting full-sized cocktails, like what they serve in the speakeasy in front. Instead, we found out that the drinks are served in small "vials". Given the size of the drinks in the escape room, combined with us not even enjoying two out of the three drinks, I would preferred to go through the escape room without the drinks at all, and likely pay a bit less for the escape room then. OVERALL // I'd still recommend the escape room as a good one-time experience with a date/friends/family. Just don't expect too much from the included themed drinks! The speakeasy drinks on the main menu do sound unique/tasty, so I might come back again to try those sometime.

Photos
Lore Speakeasy and Escape Room - Cool Middle Earth themed room with lots of seating! Plenty of board games available to play as well

Cool Middle Earth themed room with lots of seating! Plenty of board games available to play as well

Lore Speakeasy and Escape Room - Our Pineapple Cake cocktail is an ode to Taiwan.

Our Pineapple Cake cocktail is an ode to Taiwan.

Lore Speakeasy and Escape Room - Borscht: Gin, beets, apple, citrus, dill, egg white ($20) + Korean Cold Noodles w/ brandy, pear, pineapples, cucumber, sesame ($19)

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Borscht: Gin, beets, apple, citrus, dill, egg white ($20) + Korean Cold Noodles w/ brandy, pear, pineapples, cucumber, sesame ($19)

The Beehive - Beauty Mark

The Beehive

4.3(455 reviews)
1.4 miMission
$$

Love what + how they do it. It's a neighborhood bar that…read morejust feels right. Food wise I'm drawn to a few favorites like the stellar pork belly banh mi slider, fries and the chicken bites. It's a thoughtful menu w something for everyone. Had a Paper Plane which the bar man furiously shook to an icy froth on the top. Soooo good. Went on St Pat Saturday and was looking for a non frat crew vibe and was really pleased I remembered BH was close by.

Cool bar with bites in the Mission District. We got there shortly after it opened at 4pm on Friday…read moreafternoon. I was craving a refreshing craft cocktail and got one with the Green Emmanuelle. I liked the cardamom in the Beauty Mark as well that my partner ordered. We ordered shishito peppers and mushroom bahn mi sliders. The mushroom bahn mi sliders were amazing - the quality fillings and taste of the soft bun - I was unexpectedly hit with a bite of spice from maybe jalapeño seeds left but didn't sour my experience. The shishito peppers ended up being extremely spicy as well, those are usually just a few spicy and not the majority. The roasted lemon and salt was a wonderful combo but just too spicy to eat. However, the server very kindly removed it from our bill without us asking. We order the crostini because we were still hungry and that was an absolute hit. Delicious med-soft crostini with luscious berries and sweet honey. I didn't care my hands got sticky as it was soooo good! Great experience, I would be weary if the peppers as I'm a bit spice-intolerant but everything else was spot-on.

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The Beehive
The Beehive - Cocktail Menu

Cocktail Menu

The Beehive - Cocktail Menu

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Cocktail Menu

Long Weekend  - Strawberry Daiquiri

Long Weekend

4.6(11 reviews)
2.3 miChinatown, North Beach/Telegraph Hill

I was recommended this bar by a random acquaintance I met at a birthday party who hopped in our…read moreUber to Raven after the party wrapped. She hyped this bar up so much that I was convinced to check it out, and it came in clutch when I took my East Coast friends out in Chinatown and North Beach. We checked out all 3 levels of the bar and were really impressed by the downstairs vault area. We also settled in for a round of drinks. One of my friends can't drink alcohol, but luckily, the bartender was able to accommodate and prepare her a mocktail with coconut water based on the Princesa cocktail. I opted for the Hotel Nacional for something tropical, and my other friend got a negroni mezcal. I really liked my drink and the overall vibe of the bar. Service was also very friendly and professional. It'd be nice to come back and check out the scene on a weekend when it's more lively.

I found this spot a while back and finally had the opportunity to check it out during my birthday…read morestaycation in San Francisco. Right away, I loved the vibe and atmosphere. The DJ upstairs was playing a great mix of Latin and hip-hop music, while downstairs had old-school reggaeton, which I absolutely loved. It was a little warm downstairs, so I decided to stay upstairs for most of the night. I also appreciated that there was seating available upstairs because the main floor was extremely packed. Overall, I was having a great time until it came time to order my second drink. Unfortunately, I didn't catch the bartender's name, but he was wearing glasses and had a sleeve tattoo on one arm. My first order was quick and easy, so I didn't think much of it. However, when I went back for a second drink, I ended up waiting about 15 minutes at the bar. What was frustrating was that the bartender clearly saw me waiting, yet repeatedly served men who walked up after me. Another woman who was also waiting noticed what was happening and actually spoke up, saying, "She's been waiting here first, and so have I," after he immediately was trying to serve the guy next to us. The bartender looked at her, dismissed the comment, and continued serving other men who had arrived after both of us. As a former bartender myself, I was taught to scan the bar and serve guests in the order they arrive whenever possible. The way the situation was handled felt dismissive and unprofessional. What bothered me most wasn't the wait itself, it was feeling overlooked despite being visibly next in line. That said, I genuinely enjoyed everything else about Long Weekend. The music, atmosphere, and overall energy were great, and I don't plan on letting this one experience keep me from coming back. I'll definitely give it another shot. I'll just be ordering from a different bartender next time.

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Long Weekend  - The Vault in La Boveda

The Vault in La Boveda

Long Weekend  - Inside the bank vault

Inside the bank vault

Long Weekend  - Seating in La Boveda

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Seating in La Boveda

Cavaña

Cavaña

3.9(547 reviews)
2.6 miMission Bay
$$$
Live music
Rooftop seating

Came here to celebrate a friend's 40th birthday and the vibes were absolutely insane. This place…read morehas such a fun energy! They play Cuban music that immediately gets everyone in the mood, and you can tell it's a spot people genuinely love coming back to. Heads up though: it's a small space, so it can get pretty packed. Only downside was the drink service was slow, especially with how busy it gets. We were patient because the drinks themselves were great once they arrived; well worth the wait, just budget extra time if you're in a group. Perfect spot for a celebration with friends if you don't mind a cozy, lively crowd and don't need drinks in a hurry. We had such a great night!

My family and I recently visited Cavaña in SF on Sunday 6/21 at 5:30pm, expecting to enjoy what we…read moreunderstood to be a rooftop restaurant and bar. Unfortunately, our experience started off on the wrong foot before we even made it upstairs. When we arrived, the doorman, a tall, heavyset gentleman, was eating and did not acknowledge us as we approached. I politely asked if the restaurant was open, and instead of simply answering the question, he responded that it wasn't a restaurant but a rooftop bar, adding, "I don't know where you got that misconception." I found the comment unnecessarily dismissive and somewhat condescending. As an educated woman visiting with my husband and our minor daughter, I felt there were more professional ways to clarify the venue's concept. Rather than engage further, I chose to ignore the remark. He then pointed us toward the line, despite there being no one else waiting, and pressed the elevator button with an attitude that made us feel like we were inconveniencing him simply by being there. First impressions matter, and unfortunately this interaction left us feeling unwelcome before we even had the opportunity to experience the venue itself. Hospitality begins at the door, and I hope management provides additional customer service training to ensure future guests are greeted with courtesy and respect.

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Cavaña
Cavaña
Cavaña

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Smuggler's Cove - The best Rum Barrel I've ever had. Definitely bought the mug.

Smuggler's Cove

4.1(2.1k reviews)
0.8 miFillmore
$$

My wife and I dropped by Smuggler's Cove on a Wednesday evening right when they opened and we…read moreheaded straight downstairs as recommended by many Yelpers. Be careful as you head down the stairs, as your eyes may need some time adjusting to the dim environment. Seating is first come first serve and the most popular spot definitely seems to be at the bar. Ordering is at the bar, and unfortunately, there's no physical menu here -- only a QR code that you'll have to scan to access their online menu. If you're able to, I definitely recommend browsing through the extensive menu online beforehand. While the menu is predominantly rum based drinks, there is also a handful of drinks that are not rum based. They also happen to have a non-alcoholic option where you can describe the flavor profile you're looking for and the bartender can put together a custom mocktail for you. I came in to Smuggler's Cove assuming everything would be over the top in terms of sweetness, but the drinks here are very well balanced. You can definitely taste the fresh citrus used in the drinks here. If you're looking for something very spirit forward, definitely look for items on the menu with a diamond next to it. I ended up ordering two drinks in the hour that I was there -- a zombie and a "Heaux Geaux", their take on the classic Vieux Carre. Since there was only one bartender downstairs, it took a while for the drinks to be prepared. I would recommend ordering your second drink about 20 minutes ahead of when you actually want it. Overall, Smuggler's Cove is probably the best tiki bar I've visited in the Bay Area. The drinks here are spectacular.

Tucked away behind a black panel in Hayes Valley is the the not-so-secret Smuggler's Cove (the line…read moredefinitely gives it away). If you brave the line on a weekend, you will be rewarded handsomely with delicious tiki cocktails and friendly service. The menu is extensive, so you won't be hard-pressed to find a drink you'd like. I personally love the Leilani Nouveau, which is refreshing When I lived in San Diego, a bartender at a tiki bar said the first stop in SF must be Smuggler's Cove and it really deserves all that praise and more!

Photos
Smuggler's Cove - Upstairs Bar

Upstairs Bar

Smuggler's Cove - Downstairs bar

Downstairs bar

Smuggler's Cove - Another picture of the inside of the bar I love the atmosphere in here

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Another picture of the inside of the bar I love the atmosphere in here

Emporium Arcade Bar - bars - Updated July 2026

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