If I could give it ten stars, I would. So my better half told me about this place and that may have been part of why I picked a hotel where I did. So that we would just be around the corner and popping in here would be easy during our stay. Luckily I was able to come in on two different days, and at different times! We got both the night life experience and the day time experience. I think I preferred the day time because it wasn't as busy. Night means cover charge ($4) and bag check. And no kids. You might see some kids during the day. What a cool place, with yummy drinks (no food), and all my favorite arcade games, and then some! They operate on a card system, so no coins needed when you visit. My pinball wizard friend had been traveling arcade ready with coins in her bag, but it turns out they weren't needed. Ground Kontrol supplies free lockers to store your stuff; just follow the instructions and don't forget your code. I learned a lot about pinball during my visits here, and played more pinball than I usually do because of that. I mean, why not? I played one of the newest pinball games, released within weeks of my visit, which was Pokemon themed, and I played one of the more vintage pinball machines, Xenon. And everything in between! It was awesome. $20 loaded onto a card will get you 15ish games, but there is a different cost depending on which game you're playing. I was satisfied with the value and would, and did! come back again. Highly recommend stopping in if you're in the area! Make sure to check out the whole place, as it's bigger than you think and there are more games (mostly pinball) upstairs. read more

See all

A little smaller than I was expecting. The place is really cool tho It seems like majority of the games were pinball machines or old school classic arcade games. There's a parking lot right across the street for easy parking. I didn't try any food or drinks from the bar this time around but the staff at the entrance were nice and friendly. Overall, this place was a bit underwhelming but if you're into drinking and pinball machines, this is the place! I just wish they had a little more variety with their games. read more

Great selection of pinball games and classics too! Personally I love pinball and I had lots to choose from! No machines were out of service either. There are 2 levels inside. We ordered the gunsmoke nachos for a lunch snack and although it took awhile to get them, they were tasty! We added pulled pork. The bathrooms are clean and the entire place is spotless and well organized. read more

Great place to spend an afternoon or trendy spot to have a 1st date! So many games to play! The price for 300 credits is so affordable ($10). The bar has got some unique cocktails! Clean, ACed, & entertaining! read more

Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade - Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Great place to kill time while you're in downtown Portland and after you've exhausted Powell's book and all the public markets. This place is super cool. It's a dimly lit vintage arcade bar with a ton of working games. Whenever we come in during Saturdays, it's only semi packed and there's a lot of games open for people to play. It's fun to try out each of the pinball games and also try out some of the cool vintage games never introduced in the '70s. The food's also pretty good and drinks are strong read more

See all

Very cool spot. The games are in great condition!! The decor is very cool and they keep the place very clean! read more

See all

Adult arcade with lots of gaming options. Everything from Pinball to classic arcade games. Food was average bar food. Nice for a social event. Street parking in Downtown Portland. read more

Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade - Kirby - Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

A varied and diverse array of tasty eats, unique libations, and enjoyable entertainment. I've been a patron and fan of this charming and amazing venue for years. The enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff demonstrate their love of retro video entertainment, and their enthusiastic love for their customers and their products are clearly stellar! read more

We are regulars here and love the games. This place is mostly self service unless you want a drink. They are typically pretty quick with the drinks and I wouldn't say the bartenders are friendly but they aren't unfriendly, just efficient which I appreciate. It's a typical late night establishment as far as ambiance goes: mood lighting, game lights, noisy but perfect. $4 cover and put your cash on a game card to play the games. Easy peasy! read more

My husband and I were visiting Portland and wanted to check out an arcade. We came across Ground Kontrol and we were not disappointed. We were welcomed at the door and purchased a card to play games with. We got the $50 card and had PLENTY of credits to play for a few hours. The vibe inside is eclectic and fun. There are SO MANY games to play--pinball machines and retro games from decades ago. The drinks are great and perfectly themed--with great prices. They have a big screen for people to play Wii games, too. I would highly recommend this place and would come back when I get the opportunity! read more

See all

This place rocks! Visiting and exploring the PNW from San Diego and found this wonderful place, so many great pinball machines in fantastic working order and classic video games. They have a full bar with a great beer selection, and prices seem crazy decent. You purchase a card and play, this place is like a cool version of corporate feeling Dave and Busters. Wish they would franchise and find this simple platform in every cool city. They have tournaments, clean bathrooms, and water stations too. This 60 year old kid loved his experience on a Wednesday evening. Cheers read more

See all

Fun bar with a wide assortment of games to play. However, some of the machines were not working yet took my credits anyway and the line to talk to the bartender about it was too long to bother dealing with. read more

What a cool arcade for not only the younger crowd but also for adults. I knew I wanted to try this place out because my son is a huge gamer. I knew he would think it was a hit. We stopped by on a Saturday and it wasn't too busy. The water pipes busted, so they could not serve water and were possibly going to shut down but they didn't so that was perfect. The arcade has so many different games to choose from. They have classics and newer aged games for the younger crowd. I definitely enjoyed Ms. Pac Man, Street Fighter, and the vintage pinball machines. The whole arcade looks like something out of the movie TRON mixed with a bit of Stranger Things (80s nostalgia). There is an adult area towards the back that has a bar. The beers are ice cold and they have some cocktails that are themed. In the back and upstairs, you will find many different vintage pinball machines. Take your pick from Addams Family to Marvel to Walking Dead to Foo Fighters, there were too many to name. In the main lobby has another bar but it is not too private. It is right in front of the party area. Overall, if you are in Chinatown and want to do something fun while having a couple of beers, this is a must do. You will be taken back in time while enjoying your time and passing time gaming. Games do not cost too much so you will not be pinching those pennies. So go buy your gamer card and enjoy your blast from the past!!! Happy gaming!!! read more

Small $4 cover charge, but they have tons of pinball games and other video games to choose from. Dri,nks are available and $20 goes a long way. read more

See all

A lively arcade bar that's perfect for hanging out, meeting friends, or kicking off a fun night out. The space feels energetic without being overwhelming, and there's a huge variety of games that keep things interesting no matter how long you stay. The drink menu stands out with creative options that feel thoughtfully crafted, not generic. Everything is well-maintained, comfortable, and easy to enjoy, from the layout to the atmosphere. It's the kind of place where time flies, laughs come naturally, and you leave already planning your next visit. A solid spot that delivers entertainment, good vibes, and a relaxed social experience all in one. read more

RAD! The 80's arcade theme is in the DNA of this place. They offer plenty of 80's, 90's, pinball, and modern games. I didn't try the food this time, but it looked good and I noticed a lot of people enjoying the grub. They have a bar as well and you're allowed to have a beer while playing the games. I was really impressed with the selection of games and I would highly suggest you check it out if you're an 80's guy like me. read more

See all

Fun atmosphere, adult beverages and the cleanest best operating vintage games in the northwest. (*Sketchy neighborhood. -1 ) Attentive employees and an attempt to separate adult beverages from minors. Countless gameplay and sliding pay scale on different games. Fair Honest Affordable **the games play like they did in 1984. 1986. 1988. No sloppy buttons No whacky joysticks Just original games in mint condition. - read more

See all

Was a great experience when my dad and I came early but then getting asked for a "cover" for $4 each when we want to play pinball later in the evening note even at 9pm, not cool. Security gave me the ick. read more

Cool spot. Really big crisp screen, lots of fun games. Bartender was an older guy. He paid me no mind I think cause he assumed the tip wouldn't be good. Anyways, bad bartender. Good games and cool spot and the door guy was nice! read more

Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade - Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Positive note is if you haven't been to Ground Kontrol for years, the place looks different as they extended the place. It looks cool and the new bar is nice. read more

Ground Kontrol was super cool and fun. According to its website, it is one of the largest arcades in the country. Here are many positives: There was no cover when we went; it might have been because we went in during happy hour, but I'm not entirely sure. Happy hour is from 5 to 7 p.m. every weekday. When we happened to stop by, this meant that all games were half off, and all drafts and drinks were $1 off. This was a great deal for us because the timing of our visit was entirely by accident. The games are incredibly well-maintained. In some similar places in the US, some machines are in poor repair, don't function entirely well, or are inoperable. Most games are pristine; they appear to be showroom-new. The average visitor cannot tell the amount of effort, expense, and love goes into this, given that some video games are 50 years old. Some of the pinball machines are older than that. Because the games are impeccable, the machines all operate from the eras they were from. This makes the gameplay as fun as it was back in the day. This place is a time portal, museum, and bar all rolled into one! The website is up to date with all of the games that they have. The card system that they use means no more carrying around a bunch of quarters. The cards were easy to get and recharge. There are only a few downsides to Ground Kontrol, but they are minor (still a five-star review): First, the games are very tightly packed together. This makes good use of the space, but potentially being elbow-to-elbow with many other players would be a pain in the neck on a busy night. Depending on how they are configured, playing two players on some games would be hard, as there would not be enough room to swap in and out quickly, as some of the old standup arcade games require. This is not an issue on pinball or any of the head-to-head reclined games, of course. I really wish each game had a cupholder, even on top of each arcade game. This would not be hard to do or cost that much. It would be logical, so you don't have to hunt for your beverage or worry about mix-ups. I also like to post up on one machine for a while. Ground Kontrol is definitely worth a visit in Portland if you are a pinball or classic video game enthusiast! read more

Excellent place for date night. No Altered Beast or Big Buck Hunter. No Star Trek shooting game.

I liked this place it's a bit dark and not in the best part of town but it has the older classic games I liked like Centipede and PAC man. Big place and I enjoyed my brief time there. Having a bad hip I would have appreciated a stool but that's ok. I'd go back! read more

My friend and I came here on a Friday evening for some food and some games. I ordered the vegetarian tacos and my friend ordered the chicken quesadilla sliders. Both of our items were really good. My friend contemplated ordering another plate even. The bartenders were pretty nice when we ordered, and our food came to our table quickly. You order at the bar and are given a number to put on the table for the food to come. After eating, we spent the rest of our night playing some arcade games. The variety of games here was nice. Plenty of pinball machines scattered throughout and fan favorites like Mortal Kombat. The ambience was pretty nerdy gamer vibe with well-chosen light decor. You can get an arcade card near the front to load with money to play games. They have a container at the bar to recycle your cards when you're done playing. They don't charge you to get a card to play. read more

See all

So much fun! When you walk in someone checks ID and there is a small cover (at least on Saturday when we went). After passing the obligatory checks, you might want to immediately turn in on your right, but instead go straight through and grab a game card first so you can add credits to play each game. Note: this truly is a classic arcade, with a few newer games peppered in. There's tons of classic games like PacMan, Frogger, Tetris, Time Crisis, and more. A sizeable quantity of machines center around pinball, but they have plenty of other game types so you can't be bored. The bar is well stocked and the food seemed pretty decent. We grabbed the pretzel sticks with cheese and I recommend if you are a pretzel fan. They weren't out of this world, but hit the spot and were nice and hot. The whole time you are hanging out, you feel like you're in a classic arcade, which really takes you back, BUT you get the added bonus of enjoying tasty beverages while you do. The best part is that it is incredibly reasonably priced. We spent about $20 and it lasted us about 2 hours with a snack break and several tandem games. TLDR: if you're a classic arcade fan, you enjoy the occasional tasty beverage, and you don't want to break the bank for a date or night out with friends - highly recommend. read more

What an awesome place! We wanted to check out a fun and relaxed bar near Downtown Portland, and Ground Kontrol had it all. There was a $3 cover on a Friday night, and drinks were ONLY $7! (Yes, $7 for a beer or mixed drink.) It was very easy to get a card to reload credits, and these credits lasted way longer than a kid's arcade. We spent over two hours playing games with just $10 each. There are mostly one-player games, but also a handful of multiplayer games. Be prepared for A LOT of pinball. My favorites were the Tetris (old and new versions) and Mario Kart. If I could improve anything, I'd maybe have more cup holders throughout the arcade. There were a few here and there, but otherwise it was difficult to play and hold your drink. read more

See all

Fun bar/arcade! Paid a $4 cover charge on a Saturday night, definitely a fun date or friend hangout place. There is plenty of games everywhere here and upstairs, purchase a card (minimum $10) for points to use on the games. read more

Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade - a row of pinball machines - Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

How much I enjoyed this fun place to spend time. We came here with friends and were very happy with the atmosphere and facilities. There are not bad alcoholic drinks as well as there are appetizers for those who want them. In this place I liked that I can feel small again and also my friends are nearby so it went well! read more

I was in town for a conference and looking for something to do near my hotel. I was so happy to stumble upon Ground Kontrol. I looked at the website and saw that they had a cover charge, a bar, and even food options. It seemed that much of the food offered was vegan, so I opted to eat elsewhere. I went up to the front door and was carded. I'm in my 50s, so this surprised me. I was directed to go in to "the guy at the desk." I walked in to the "guy at the desk." He just looked at me. I said that I was just there to play. "There's a cover charge." Yes, I knew that. He didn't say how much it was or even made eye contact with me. I pulled out a $20 and waited for my change. He gave me my change and gave me a plastic card to tap on the machines. Not the best customer service I've seen. To the right there is a small room with a few pinball machines and some arcade games, including some new ones that I've never seen before, like a modern Asteroids and this Blob game. I was mostly interested in playing my favorite, Theatre of Magic. In this room, there were also Indiana Jones pinball, a Stern Star Wars, Twilight Zone, and Monsters of Rock (which I did not play.) After a few games, I decided to explore. Around the corner, there is a vending machine with branded merchandise, like beanies. There was a cool looking bar that had embedded lights like the WOPR computer from the movie War Games. I had to stop and take some video, as it looked amazing. This was in a larger room that had some gun-based games, several arcade games from the 80s and some new Stern pinball machines, including the Sopranos, Ghostbusters, Jaws, and a few others. I played the Sopranos and Ghostbusters before going to play Asteroids and Star Wars. I saw that there was a bathroom, but the sign indicated to use the bathroom, in the hallway. So, I went to explore. The hallway was incredibly cool. The wall has a light display with changing patterns and even large format recreation of space shooting games, reminiscent of Galaga. Bathrooms are in the hallway. Through the hallway, there is a second bar. To the left, there are more classic arcade games. I played QBert and Tron. There is an illuminated staircase to a second floor that I didn't know existed. This place is huge. Upstairs was heaven for me. There are several small areas, filled with pinball machines. I played Black Knight, Black Knight 2000, Whitewater, Tales of the Arabian Nights, Addams Family, Doctor Who, Baby PacMan, Pabst Can Crusher, Terminator 2, and a new favorite, Total Nuclear Annihilation. I went at a time when it wasn't too crowded. I didn't care for the music that was playing. In some parts of the arcade, you can't really hear it, but where the speakers are, it is deafening. Bathroom was clean. I loved the pixel art in the tiles. On my way out, I tried to return the game card to the "guy at the desk." He waved at me to "put it in the thing by the door," as he was doing something on his phone. Again, great customers service. read more

Walked into the void neon guts glowing, memories resurrected in electric shrieks. Every wall pulsed with old gods of the arcade, pixels twitching like haunted relics of my childhood. Noise. Chaos. Bliss. Felt like falling backward through time, only to land in a place that never died, just waited. But the sanctuary? It wasn't in the glow. It was in the shadows back bar, low light, heartbeat slower. That's where I met Black hat Brown hair Smile like they knew the madness in your head and poured peace instead. No small talk. Just real energy. Like they've been here forever, conjuring spirits in glass while the rest of the world breaks outside. I asked for a cocktail, but what I got was a ritual Retro Arcade isn't just a place it's a resurrection. And in the back bar, under soft lights and loud memories, you'll find a strange kind of salvation. If you go, go ready to lose yourself. And maybe, just maybe, you'll leave with a little piece of yourself stitched back together. read more

i went here recently for a neopets meetup (yes, the site still exists and yes- it rocks) that GK graciously hosted and it was great! lexi did such an amazing job organizing everything. the space is very clean and surprisingly huge, it was crazy in a good way. it's not a place i would have ever thought to go but i know now that i'll totally be back. honestly seems like a good date idea. i didn't buy any alcohol but getting buzzed and playing one of what felt like 100 arcade games honestly sounds fun haha. thanks for hosting GK! i will happily return. read more

Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade - exterior - Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Looking for something fun to do? This is a fun place to grab a drink and play some retro arcade games. I really like that they have lockers available, first come basis. They have a wide variety of games and beers. No wine, unfortunately. Easy $3 cover charge then you can load up a card for game play. Each game is .30-$1 so you get your moneys worth. read more

Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade - Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Ground Kontrol is super fun for all ages - except by the time that you decide your finished playing the arcade, you might find yourself sticking to the ground because of the spilled beer from the bar. We came during one of their "happy hour" times. I can't quite remember how it works, but there is a discounted unlimited free play on certain days and times of the week. It's actually super worth it because I remember it being pretty affordable and there's enough games to play for quite a few hours. We bounced around from game to game - there are wait times for some of the more popular ones so we adopted the practice of playing nearby and then snagging a spot once the controller was open. They have quite a variety - from classics to newer games. There was definitely a bit of nostalgia associated with it and a great place to hang out with friends. read more

Damn, that was a well stocked arcade. The amount of games to play was pretty nutty, I'm a big fan of this place.

Here's your final Yelp review: --- **Ground Control Barcade - Portland, OR** My experience at Ground Control Barcade was downright infuriating, all thanks to the rude, power-tripping bouncer who seemed determined to ruin my night. As a 52-year-old with a valid California ID, I've never had any issue getting into a bar--until I tried to enter this place. When I approached the door, I presented my legitimate California ID, which clearly shows my age. The doorman, however, dismissed it outright, treating me like some underage kid trying to sneak in. I even offered to show him my work ID, which also has my date of birth, photo, and full name, but this guy was on such a power trip that he refused to even consider it. I mentioned to him that I used to be a bouncer in my twenties--30 years ago! I'm not underage; I just wanted to play some vintage arcade games and pinball from my youth. While trying to rationalize with him, I watched as he let several younger people in without even scrutinizing their IDs. Even they could see how ridiculous the situation was--one of them even said, "Just let him in, he's obviously over 21 by a lot!" Trying to be reasonable, I offered to return with an additional photo ID that was in my hotel room. He agreed, so I went back to my hotel, retrieved the ID, and returned, only to be met with a complete change of attitude. The bouncer, in a blatant display of arrogance, told me that I wasn't getting in no matter what. It was clear he had no intention of letting me in from the start--he just wanted to waste my time. What makes this even more infuriating is that I had no problem getting into any of the other bars downtown that night because, again, I'm 52 years old and my IDs are valid! In the end, I went to Retro Game Bar, where they actually welcome people like me, and spent my evening there. I had a great time, unlike the frustrating experience at Ground Control. If you're looking for a fun night out in Portland, save yourself the hassle and skip Ground Control. There are plenty of other bars in the area where you'll be treated with the respect and decency that paying customers deserve--Retro Game Bar being one of them. Unfortunately, this place is not worth your time or money. read more

Had the NYC'ish hotdog & it was delicious! They have a ton of games here & I loved my experience here- staff there was super friendly bartenders; shout out to Daniel for engaging in delightful conversation! Only thing I don't particularly like about this arcade is, that you have to use a prepaid card to play indoors. It's the only think keeping it away from 5stars. read more

Old-school arcade awesomeness. And the games aren't pricey, we didn't even use up our game cards and gave them away when we left. A good chance you'll gleefully find your favorite throwback arcade or pinball game plus a few you totally forgot existed! read more

Food was very good and not expensive. Service was great, employees were friendly and helpful. My wife and I bought a $20 game card and we were there for almost 3 hours, so your dollar goes a long way here! Will be back for sure! read more

Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade - Pinball - Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Great drinks and fun games! This place is a great time with friends or on a date. They have a variety of beers on tap and a couple of CBD beverages too. They do also have a full bar if you are a cocktail-type person. They also have two bar areas, They have a variety of games. You can definitely play a lot of games for $10. There are multiple rooms with tons of games. The upstairs is mostly pinball machines. Overall, this is a fun place to go for a night out! read more

Fun barcade that's worth stopping by while in Portland, especially if you're forced to stay indoors due to weather. Decor and ambiance highlights the arcade theme, with an extremely wide variety of retro arcade games available to choose from. All are reasonably priced as well in terms of credits, so you'll definitely be getting your money's worth! If you happen to come with a large group, be sure to check out Killer Queen! It's best played with 10 players and it instantly became my new favorite arcade game. read more

Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade - Credits. $10 for 300 credits. Most games only require 5-10 credits IIRC - Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all