4 player coin-op X-Men! We had planned to hit up Joystick days before, so there'd been a running convo regarding which coin op titles they would have... The top of our list was coin-op sidescroller beat-em-up X-Men... WHICH THEY DID HAVE. They Had (that I remember) : X-Men, Ms. Pac Man, Bad dudes, batman, Rampage (the 3rd claymation one) I love the idea, and the implementation was alright, but really the place needs to be 2x the size. Not quite enough games, not quite enough room to stand-and-chat. Also, edgewood is sketchy mc. sketchville. I love the idea, I just want MORE. -CHUK read more

This is a pretty awesome bar located in Edgewood. Pinball, pac man, galaga, jenga- they have it all! My only gripe with this bar is that the first 2 beers I ordered they were out of which is kind of a drag. I got an imperial instead which was about 2 bucks so not too bad for an "eh" beer. It's a good spot to go to with friends and play a couple games and then chill out. I also went on a Sunday afternoon so it wasn't as crowded so I have no idea how busy they get on weekend nights. They also had a tv that showed events they were hosting throughout the week which looked pretty cool. Overall, I'll definitely be back whenever I'm in the area again! read more

Joystick Gamebar - Arcades Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

service was great, food was ok, drinks were amazing and reasonably priced. kinda smelled

Super fun, hole in the wall bar. They have awesome liquor drinks and the staff there is very attentive. Visited this place with friends and was happy to see all the arcade games on site. It's a great idea to have a room full of arcade games and a full service bar all under the same roof. My only suggestion is to have the business name properly displayed in the front of the bar. Unless you know where to look, it's hard to find the actual business location without any signage out front. read more

Had a great time ! Games are only 25 cents and they have table games . We came for my sisters 30th birthday orders drinks (had a deal forgot which drinks they were but remembered them being really good ) the staff were very helpful, chill vibe read more

Let your inner child come to life. I've been to joystick a few times now and it's a blast no matter the company or the crew. I'm happy that the bouncer keeps the capacity regulated so it's not super packed at any time. I still can't beat the first level of Donkey Kong, but I haven't had much practice yet. I definitely kicked ass at Ms. Packman and at Jenga. The people are super nice, the bartenders are efficient. They do all price separately, I recommend finding the women; the drinks are stronger and cheaper. Come back often, it's a blast. read more

Tried this cute fun spot a couple weeks ago on a Wednesday evening. The staff was friendly. The drinks were good. There were several change machines that took $1, $5, and $10 bills. They have quite a few games. We played several. Then went into the next room to relax and played a board game and Jinga. We did not order any food but considered it after seeing several items come by that looked delicious. I really enjoyed this place and will be back. read more

Retro arcade bar in the heart of Edgewood Ave. in Old Fourth Ward. One of my favorite spots to take out-of-town visitors or just any 80s baby in general. Onsite ATM only gives $1 bills and there are coin machines everywhere to keep the 25-cent dream machines alive (all games only cost $.25). There is a pay-for-play internet jukebox as well as attached lounge with board/card games if you prefer a change of pace too. They have X-Men, NBA Jam, Terminator Pinball, Streetfighter, Jurassic Park, Simpsons, and few other games to go with their full service bar. Also serve good food and located next to several other Edgewood bars (Noni, Church, Sound Table etc) so you can casually drop in & out your pub crawl. Great way to relive the 90s w/friends or just live life one quarter at a time. Probably the most affordable fun you'll have in a while. read more

Joystick Gamebar - Arcades Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Where your inner child meets adult you: Arcade + Bar = happiness Was thrilled to find a place where my childhood days of TRON and Karate Kid could come back to life. It's a quintessential city arcade, but with exquisite cocktails and delicious noms. The main draw here is obviously the vintage arcade games. Rampage, Street Fighter, Ms. PacMan, Galaga, pin ball and more. But before I forget, the price is also vintage... $.25 a game. That's right, none of this bank busting Dave & Buster markup. You actually put quarters into slots they were made for. Novel concept, eh? Oh, and coinage... no problem. They have an ATM that dispenses singles (why I havent seen one in a strip club before, I know not) and two change machines that accept 1s and 5s for the beautiful clinking of quarters. In the center is the bar. Make SURE you dabble with some of the custom cocktail creations. They remind child you why growing up was worth it. Hungry? No problem... outstanding gourmet takes with flavors of H&F and other public houses in Atlanta that I'm sure you frequent if you ended up here. Oh, and you prefer to stay out late? Well yeah... they are open til 3am too. These guys are doing it right. They've enlarged the bar by adding the sister space beside it with a doorway. Full of couch's, eclectic lamps, and board games... great place to relax with friends or get to know an admirer. Wish there were more of these around! read more

So cool and nerdy, that I showed up here with two groups of friends - serious D&D gamers who play a lot of video games; and a bunch of intellectual bikers, who don't know how to play a game. AND we all had a great time. I love how it's unpretentious, games are really only a quarter or 2, and you can relive your childhood gaming excellence. Then when you want to feel more grown up, move to the nice loungy room and you're set. Child play, adult play all in one bar. Maybe next time I play Donkey Kong... I'll realize I'm Mario and NOT Donkey Kong and am supposed to get up the ladders. Idiot #nongamer read more

Cool bar, but watch yourself when you are in this neighborhood. To get into the Joystick, had to navigate past a group that were blocking the door trying to get us to play a shell game with sprite bottle caps. One guy accidentally bumped into it and that didn't go well. I was a little surprised that this venue hasn't figured out a way to keep their doorway clear of that kind of annoyance. Inside was cool -- a variety of arcade games around the venue, some comfortable seating, and then a traditional bar area. I sat mostly at the bar and enjoyed the beer list. Good service, very reasonable prices, friendly staff. read more

(x-post from FB review) I had a blast! The food was nice, the drink was great and the game was fun.. Except that when I stepped out to say goodbye to a friend and came back, I got kicked out by a security for looking underage/ignoring him/etc. I also lost my credit card and shattered my glasses In the process. FYI I am partially deaf and I can not hear things very well. It's such a shame my first time ever at the bar had to end that way. read more

Used to frequent Joystick, we would go at least 3-4 times a month since they opened -- and then it all came to a screeching halt. I would put up with yucky cocktails because, beer. You can't really go wrong with $2 Tecates. I would always recommend this place to people looking for something neat to do. I was their biggest fan. It's a good concept...just a really terrible execution. The reason I no longer go to Joystick: This place is LOUD....which is fine, it's a bar. Last time I was there, the bartender came over to us, a group playing Street Fighter, and told us to keep it down. It was a group of about 6 and we weren't being obscene or obnoxious or even that loud. We would just cheer at the end of a match. The music was way louder, and seriously? Miley Cirus? And it wasn't like we weren't buying any drinks, or not tipping.... but when he told us to pipe down, we asked for our tab, and went to Mother's. I met someone else who had a similar experience there, recently. So I guess they want their patrons to quietly enjoy playing some arcade games while Miley Cirus blasts in the background. So yeah, Joystick, I wanted to like you. I really, really did. But your bartenders are jerks and they also suck at making drinks. Only reason I'm giving it two stars instead of 1 is because the owner, Johnny, is a really nice guy. read more

I enjoyed this place! If you're a gamer, particularly of the older generation this is your spot! There was a nice variety of games and i can say it did not leave me wanting more options. read more

Don't come hungry. The atmosphere is great. The bar selection is wonderful. The menu is lacking and super expensive. Each pierogi is around $2- $3 and half the size of the ones my mom used to make. I understand what it takes to make pierogi and I still think this is too much. Basically $32 later and one person would have not been full. Food was good but too expensive. I do love the soft comfy couches. I was very excited by the selection of arcade games. There is all your old favorites plus 3 pinball machines. They also have a terrific selection of board games to play while sipping on a drink and siting on the comfy couches. The bar looked well stocked but as I currently can not drink booze so I can not judge them on that. Basically this is an awesome place to hang out. The atmosphere is super cute. The only reason I can't and won't give it five stars is the cost of the food was just way too high. All $32 of food could have fit on one plate together. read more

My favorite place to hang out. Best during the week when it's less packed, unless your looking for that hookup. Always good cocktails, always good service and amazing atmosphere. read more

Joystick Gamebar - Arcades Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

I had the opportunity to visit Joystick for my birthday. my girlfriend surprised me for brunch. joystick does a "restaurant incubator" in which monthly a new up and coming restaurant serves their menu. This month is was Bad dog taqueria. I think the incubator idea is freaking awesome first of all. I ordered ( i forget the name ) a burrito BBQ pork belly , eggs, black eyed peas, panting dog hot sauce and slaw, wrapped in a steamed collard green. The combo was amazing!! read more

Joystick Gamebar - BBQ pork belly , eggs, black eyed peas, panting dog hot sauce and slaw, wrapped in a steamed collard green - Arcades Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Junk food by chef Joey Zelinka is amazing. From the oxtail tacos to the grilled cheese ... read more

This place is a pretty cool spot to go with friends, or go alone and make a few new friends. It's the right kind of environment where you can make new friends and people seem to forget about the differences of others. Entry is free by the way. All of the arcades games and pinball machines were surprisingly ¢25! That's a big selling point for me and I'm sure others because you can play as much as you want and not have to be overcharged. It's very conducive for fun and a nostalgic feeling of old. The selection of games were pretty good, although I didn't see some of the games I had seen in pictures or read reviews on. This could've gotten a better review of it had more games, maybe even some better ones, but over all it was great. There's also a lounge area where you can play card/board games like uno, jenga, clue, etc. It's great for small groups. I didn't get to try the food because I got there around 10pm-11pm and I think the guy said they went to a select menu around that time. So I'm not sure of what they actually have. I've seen over reviews and pictures of menus. read more

This place is just downright awesome! Games: Tekken 4, Mortal Kombat, Gauntlet Legends, Hydro Thunder, Galaga, Pacman and others Amenities: lounge area, peninsula bar w/ hand crafted cocktails and board games make this the ultimate small group night out. Few good bars across the street as well. Just don't buy any cocaine from the peeps on the block. read more

A blast to the past: Consider it love at first site. This one of a kind game bar is certainly a unique location in the city. I see a few people comparing Joystick to Ormsbys on the Westside and I'm not sure that is a fair comparison. I have been to Ormsbys and if you are in the mood to impress your 30 something year old coworkers than by all means go for it. Joystick makes no excuses for what they are. They are a dirt cheap arcade with some surprisingly good cocktails. There is a much younger crowd that normally keep the buttons warm at this upgraded hole in a wall. Between the great drinks, cheap games and tasty bar food what else does one need? PS: The Atlanta trolley is now open and will be driving almost right past the bar making it even more appealing to hang out and then ride away in the Galica sunset. read more

Video games, tacos, and alcohol? YES PLEASE! All I know is that they have the old school TMNT game and the old school Simpson's games. These alone are enough for me to love this bar! On top of that they have a decent selection of beers and tacos from Bad Dog Taqueria. The place does get a little slammed on the weekends, but its not unbearable. I would definitely recommend this place especially to anyone that grew up in the age where arcades existed and just wants to be hit with a wave of nostalgia. read more

Joystick Game Bar is such a bizarre mix of different types of bars that I love it. You can get a fantastic craft cocktail with excellent ingredients and interesting flavors or you can get a tall can of PBR or even a great draft beer. The beer and cocktail prices are really good, and you can come in here on any budget. The games are all old school and most are a quarter. Some games get packed, but you can always find something even on the busy weekend nights. The average age of people in here is probably 25, with lots of college kids. Everyone has fun here and there are no DBs to contend with. Hipsters of course, but no pretentious ones here. See you soon with a fistful of quarters!! read more

A fun place with good bar food and pleasing bartenders. A solid starting spot, if hanging out on Edgewood. The first time there, I remember a peculiar, musty smell near the couches and thought that they may have been claimed off the curb somewhere. The other times back, its been okay (I just don't sit on the couches). Truth be told, I'm getting too old for these types of places, but most of my friends and dates are much younger. Besides, people my age are not as fun on a Saturday night... read more

I mostly came here early to hang out before having dinner with friends. It's a good place to kill time with some quarters for the games. Decent drink menu, but it confuses me since Illegal Food occupies the same space. My boyfriend started a tab and we had all foods/drinks under the same card/bill, so it's Joystick? Joystick reminds me of my Georgia Tech days: the ratio here is obviously more men than women, and perhaps more of a geek meets hipster atmosphere. The old-school games are definitely a novelty of Joystick's charm. Street parking is ample, at least at the time I went. I'm glad I got a chance to check this place out, but I don't see myself coming here too often. read more

Super cheap classic arcade games and great drinks! Good place to sit and hang out or get your game on! read more

Joystick Gamebar - Awesome place to drink and play games! Only a quarter per game! - Arcades Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Joystick Arcade Bar is a hole-in-the-wall sorta place with two connected, but separate spaces. When you walk in, you see all but two of the games, the bar, and a small flatscreen they play communal games on. To the left, they have a unique sitting lounge that's a mix between your grandma's house and a small wonders museum. I happened to go during their Game Night and the whole bar played Quiplash; the winner(s) won a free shot. The bartenders, game host, and other bar-goers were all really friendly and easy to talk to. The only thing is that I wish they had a larger selection of games. A lot of them didn't appeal to me personally, so my selection was limited to Jurassic Park, Donkey Kong, Gauntlet, and Galaga. read more

Nice little concept bar. Not very welcoming though. The security was lifting weights outside. Told me to wait for his set to be finished so he can check my ID. read more

This side of town is not my specialty, I mean I need a map to get anywhere around here, but as my second time darkening the doors of Joystick Gamebar....it will not be my last. I love video games far more than I like drinking, so clearly this place is all about the ol' school arcade games to me. I really dig the hole in the wall type atmosphere, since that's what I grew up around. And maybe next time I go back I'll try some drinks... Maybe that'll help me play Ms. Pacman better, because it moves at a crazy speed. Anyway there aren't alot of games, but the space isn't huge, so just keep wandering around and enjoy what they have. Oh yeah playing against the computer on Mortal Kombat is so unfair it's not even funny... I'm not sure what's up with the parking...The first time I went me and my friend parked in that gravel lot, this second time, no one could park there and street parking was very scarce since it was an event going on. But other than that, stay on your toes for parking and go enjoy some arcade games... read more

I don't get it. This place is always so packed I can hardly fit inside, the servers are distracted by the amount of patrons and it takes ages to get their attention, and the drinks are on the pricey side. I have heard of multiple fights breaking out here. People really seem to love this place, but it's just not for me. read more

A nice, small videogame bar in Atlanta with some great choice games: All games are a quarter to play and include some great hits such as... Coin-Op Games: Mortal Kombat 2 Rampage Street Fighter II X-Men Galaga Bad Dudes (this game is tough as all hell) Batman Vs. The Goonies For cheap drinking fare they have $3 Gennese in a can. It is a little tastier than PBR in my book. They also have a great assortment of cheap snacks to munch on while you game. Make sure to bring some cash to get your quarters from the change machine. (there is no ATM on site) read more

Super fun! I'm not cool enough to actually know how to play most arcade games, but I happily button-mashed my way through a few bucks over the course of an hour or so. Then I meandered back to the board games room and played some (CareBear!) Uno. I had a great time and definitely left wondering why every bar isn't a game bar. Hmm.. read more

Great staff! Chris Travis & Lauren have really made this place a regularly enjoyable experience for any night of the week! Anything I need and more resides in this hole off of Edgewood!! read more

I was NOT impressed by this place. While I love divey places, this felt less than that. Not much desication or comitmment to upkeeping. The music was blasting SO loud on a Saturday at 6p that my friends and I could barely hear or speak to each other. When we got there we noticed that a number of the videogames were out of order. I also expected at least two to three more games. The drinks were OK but the bartender had a pretty indifferent attitude. Overall, its a shame because if they did things just slightly better they could really shine. read more

We were in Atlanta with my bf and his brother and had some time to kill and we were hungry. My bf's brother found Joystick Gamebar and said it looked pretty cool. The area is a little questionable but the Gamebar was really cool. It was like walking into your friends basement where you played video games as a kid. We ordered some food and grabbed some drinks and settled in. We found Jenga and played a few rounds which was fun. It was cool to pretend to be a kid again. They food was really good too. Fun place to hang out. read more

Good experience... arcade cabs brought me back... good indie experience, that's what they're calling nowadays right? Lol either I had a great time look forward to their d&D night read more

Before we got there I was expecting to find hipsters pretending to be video game nerds. Nope, the place was full of authentic video game nerds! Fun! The menu looked really neat and interesting. There was lots I'd have liked to try but we'd already eaten, so we just grabbed a bowl of cheese puffs which were, in a word, addicting. We each tried a cocktail and although to a more sophisticated liquor palate it would have been lovely, to me it just tasted icky. I can't remember the name but the taste was very smoky and bitter. Just not my thing. My date's drink was much better. We had fun playing mortal kombat and killing each other, I'd love to go back one day and try some more things! read more

Great place to relax and hang out with friends while playing some old school arcade games like The Simpsons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, NBA Jams, T2 Pinball, Donkey Kong, Mortal Kombat, and more. Drinks here are also inexpensive and non-fancy. There is also a side room with large couches and tables where you can play board games or other games like Jenga. The games are fun, drinks are good, space is nice, and all inexpensive. The only real issue I had was the lack of parking. There are limited street parking, and the neighborhood felt a little shady. I was approached twice by people begging for money. One man tried selling me a CD before I could even get out of my car. The other popped out of nowhere to ask for money. The same guy asked me again as I exited the bar. The bar itself is nice, just wish it was in a location that felt safer. read more

So, I came to JoyStick Originally to have a chill time, have a drink or 2, play Classic Video Games and enjoy Edgewood.. Now, I come mostly for 95th Street Tacos.. They NEVER miss with the Surf and Turf tacos!! The Pastrami sandwich is pretty solid as well but, they have other options (I suggest the Western Ave burger if it's available) If you hadn't been to Joystick Game Bar or tried 95th Street Tacos, you're missing out!! read more

Talk about amazing service and great food 95th street taco has exceeded the bar. Anytime i visit Atlanta this is my 1st stop. I'm always greeted with a smile, they check on to ensure everything is ok and the amount of tasty food is so overwhelming. I definitely recommend 95th St. Taco for any and every event. read more