My husband, sister, brother-in-law, and I recently visited Up-Down Pizza Arcade in Birmingham, and we had a great experience. We ordered a large buffalo chicken pizza, and it was absolutely delicious, fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The atmosphere was lively and fun, even though we felt a little out of place since it was packed with college students. Still, it added to the energy of the place. It was very busy, but the service was fast and efficient. The staff was friendly, welcoming, and took the time to explain how everything worked, which we really appreciated. I loved seeing all the classic arcade games from back in the day, it brought back so many memories. We would have enjoyed sitting outside, but it was too cold during our visit. Overall, this is a fun spot with great food, great service, and a great vibe. I'll definitely be back when the weather warms up! read more

While touring downtown Birmingham on my first night out with my friend who lives here, he took us to Up-Down Arcade Bar -- and let me tell you, I can't wait to go back! As a transplant from Atlanta, I have to say the gaming bar scene there feels limited. Battle & Brew is probably the most well-known, with its endless screens, gaming consoles, and themed nights -- but Up-Down manages to capture that same fun energy while feeling more personal and connected. This place has everything you could want for a great night out: outdoor seating, an outdoor bar, and an endless lineup of arcade games, including a whole wall of pinball machines. You'll find everything from the classics like Capcom titles to newer favorites like Mortal Kombat. What really set it apart for me, though, was the outdoor setup. The terrace above the bar is the definition of a vibe -- great lighting, awesome atmosphere, and plenty of perfect photo ops. They even have outdoor games like cornhole, which added to the social feel. Huge shoutout to the bartender working outside that night -- she was a local and super friendly, giving us a list of other cool Birmingham spots to check out while we were in town. If you're looking for a place that's got character, fun, and a whole lot of energy, Up-Down is it. Whether you're here for games, drinks, or just good company, this is the kind of spot that makes you want to stay all night. read more

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One word...nostalgia!! This is a great, fun environment! Good pizza and drinks! Friendly service! My all time favorite throwback game...Skeeball! What a classic! Tons of pinball machines, Pac-Man and other arcade games I remember from the 80s and 90s. And because it deserves mentioning and not often reviewed, the bathrooms were well maintained and perfectly cleaned and stocked. read more

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Came here to hang out and play some arcade games. They have all the classics from childhood under one roof. Pac-Man, Skee Ball, Dig Dug, Tron, & Mortal Combat just to name a few. They also have $2 pizza slices if you get hungry and a big variety of craft beer. Cool spot to feel like a kid again and play some games. read more

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So I did a thing. I attended an event here and really didn't know what to expect. Old school video games, you say? I'm all in!! This place offers street parking that's free, after certain hours. There's also paid parking available. Very easy walk up pizza, arcade and drinks. The staff was very welcoming at the entrance. This is definitely an adult arcade. Sometimes "good and grown" folks want to play some games, eat some pizza and have a drink. Great nostalgic vibe inside. You become immersed in the Galaga, Pac-Man, pinball, Mario Brothers and other games of it all, and realize fun is being had without any pressure. The pizza was really good, the drinks looked good and the music was hitting right, creating a fun relaxing but energetic atmosphere. Hey, I'll be back with some of my friends for the margaritas, games and pizza. read more

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When I say...."Take Me Back"!!! It was so much fun hanging with Ginger and the team. We had good pizza and the mango drink was the adult only kind. The staff was friendly and was helping before I even asked. They are mind readers. Great time was had. This place is for adults and there was no smoking inside. Love that part. read more

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Up-Down is an amazing return to 80s and 90s video games. They have everything from your classic shooter games Mortal Kombat even pinball machines. And for those of us that struggled even dance, dance revolution. Thursday night is Tencent token night and almost every game minus pinball machines only cost one token. They have a full service bar with anything you could imagine drinking as as well as made to order pizzas. And when you get tired of being inside, you can always step outside to the outdoor seating area to play cornhole connect for or some of the other outdoor games. read more

Up-Down Arcade is an old school arcade in a new era. If you love a good game of skee ball, Pac-man or Centipede, then Up-Down is for you. It's Chuck-E-Cheese for adults! Of course, pizza and beer/cocktails are on the menu. Get a handful of tokens and enjoy your time at Up-Down. read more

I really enjoyed my first time at Up-Down Arcade Bar 05/01/25 after leaving the Barons game. There was a pretty thick crowd but not overwhelming. They were checking ids upon entering. The bar service was fast and the bartender that assisted me was a joy! There are many beer options and cocktail options to pick from, so you will definitely find something. There are cups and water available as well to stay hydrated. I didn't eat any pizza but it smelled yummy. I had a beer and played a few games. I still have tokens left.... Pac man , galaga, ms. pac are some of my favs so I was glad to see them here. Now, there are some games that need maintenance... specifically, the basketball game did not keep score so don't waste your tokens. Move on! Play something else! lol Overall, I really enjoyed myself. This is such a great addition to Birmingham, Alabama. I can't wait to return to play more games, enjoy the outside spaces and grab some pizza! read more

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Nice craft beer selection, arcade games, interesting pizza choices, outside seating, frozen, margaritas. What else could you want? My husband and I had a great time playing our old favorites, pinball, Skee ball, and my most favorite of all Centipede!! Once we finished inside, we were happy to see there were more games outside including corn hole, jenga and connect 4. Fun way to spend an afternoon, and tokens were $5 for 20. Be warned, some games take 2 tokens. read more

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Great place for a fun date night! I came home to Birmingham and I went straight here to check it out and play games and eat great pizza with good drink prices. A good place to hang after the Barons game. read more

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Left the Baron's game to play PacMan and anything else we saw that looked entertaining. There is a pretty good selection of games available so there is something for everyone. The pizza wasn't bad and bar service was relatively quick for the amount of people that were there. I ran into a couple of people I knew and even have some new college babies under my wing now. This is definitely a hang out spot for the younger crowd (still enjoyable if you aren't a college kid). Things got a little weird outside around 1/1:30A but security was on it. Some games are outside as well like cornhole (I finally learned the rules... I still don't see the appeal), connect four (smoked the college kids in C4), jenga, etc. Up-Down is a nice addition to the area. I'll most likely be back. read more

Up-Down Arcade Bar - Arcades Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Was hesitant at first to visit since that other location is my favorite in Nashville. However I was surprised just how good the design and layout was handled in a smaller footprint. The bar staff is truly amazing with each visit. The pizza is some of the best you'll find downtown. The indoor space might seem a bit confining but has just the right balance of games spread out. The spacious adjoining open air patio with tiered storage container seating definitely adds to the experience. read more

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I really enjoy playing old-school video games and the nostalgic atmosphere of arcade venues and it makes me feel like a kid again. There are plenty of gaming options to choose from, along with food and drinks available for purchase read more

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I just have to say, this bar is an absolute gem! It's packed with awesome vintage video games that will take you right back to your childhood. Plus, you can't beat the price - the pizza is only two bucks! It's the perfect place to gather a group of friends for a night of drinks and good times on the weekend. I love stopping by before big events like the Barron game or catching the Alabama symphony at the park in the summer. read more

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Up-down is such a welcome addition to the booming Birmingham scene. It's open til 2 AM, has arcade games, pizza by the slice, a large drink menu and plenty of areas (including outside) to hang out. Getting tokens are easy to play games. Even on busy nights there's more than enough games to go around. There's a big variety too so you're bound to find something you like. My only issue is some games need some repairs/maintenance due to missing buttons and other things. The basketball hoops have seen better days, they don't work or count score so there's really no point in wasting your coins or getting competitive. The pizza slices are HUGE and they don't skimp on the toppings. I eat a lot and ordered two and was stuffed. The pizza was good overall for an arcade spot and I would suggest it, especially late night. Overall this is a spot that will do well in Birmingham. It's welcoming, energetic, fun and has something for literally everyone. read more

I came here this past weekend to celebrate a friend's birthday! We had the best time! There is so much to do here! There are arcade games galore, pinball, basketball, Mario Kart, dancing games, Connect 4, and cornhole. The venue itself is super big. You can buy tokens to play the games, and they give you a ton! They do serve food and drinks here although I did not get any, I will definitely be back to try them! read more

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Visited this wonderful venue on a rainy night and it didn't stop the fun! This adult game room concept is so cool and a great idea. The ambiance was very fun and the outside looks to just as cool but couldn't enjoy due to rain. Will visit soon again! The pizza was great as well and even better at $2 per slice. Drinks were reasonably priced and noticed that did have specials. Great job Bham on bringing in this! read more

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21 year and up only (check ID & stamp your hand at door) aka adult only play zone. The $10 hurricane drink wasn't the greatest (too sweet) but it's nice to have cocktail options rather than just beer. There is a lot of seating and free games (jumbo jenga, tether ball, etc) outside as well. Everyone was extremely friendly, read more

This is an awesome, adult-friendly arcade venue! They have all the cool games too! From Pac Man to Street Fighter to Mortal Kombat to Contra, it was a very nostalgic experience. It definitely gave like the 80s/90s vibe... in an awesome way! They also have a full bar and you can even order a slice of pizza if you get hungry. Just remember, this is a 21+ arcade, so don't forget to bring your ID. The only reason why I'm not giving it 5 stars is because there were quite a few games that were out of order, but all in all, an awesome experience! read more

Finally made it to Birmingham's adult arcade & what a time we had! Very cute establishment & oh the nostalgia! So many games there I played as a kid I ran straight to the ski balls! And kicked major butt! We got drinks at the bar & was informed the tokens were .10cents each last night (Thursday ) but you have to get them from the bar fyi the drinks were pretty good we had margaritas we didn't get a chance to try the pizza but it looked really good! Huge slices! Nice sitting area & a few games are outside cool spot for a girls nite or date nite make sure you have your ID there's no discrimination when it comes to them checking it me & the hubs are well over 21 but I was happy to oblige! I'm excited to go back & more excited to have something different like this in the Ham! read more

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I tried out a new arcade bar with friends this afternoon and had such a fun time! There are plenty of arcade games to choose from and various free games outside (cornhole, tetherball, jenga, & some). The arcade games can be played with by purchasing tokens. We got 20 tokens for $5 and split it between the three of us. They have a large drink menu and serve pizza slices. This is definitely a great spot to hangout with friends or have a fun date! read more

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It was like you are living your youth again. With alcohol included. All the classic games like pinball, skeeball, Mortal Kombat, Carnevil, and even Burgertime. They even have a outside area where you can sit or play Jenga, Connect 4 or corn hole. Very great art on the wall. Great price for tokens as well. Tried the pizza slice which taste similar to a microwaveable pizza. Service was basically just like service at a bar. read more

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All the old school games! Bar was great, pizza not so good (to me.) Really cool place to hang out at any time for a laid back experience. read more

Up-Down Arcade Bar - Arcades Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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I am sad to say I really just did not enjoy this place. Overall, I think it's it's cool for adults to have a place to go and fun time, but my mind would not let me have a good time. I just felt like everything was so close together inside the long lines people just outside everywhere really just wasn't my thing. I would give it a try on a weekday afterword. A Saturday was under and overwhelming all at the same time...I also wasn't impressed with the pizza. read more

Fun place to kill some time! We went on a Saturday night and they have a half off tokens special. There are a lot of games but it can get crowded quickly. And some games were out of order But despite that we had soo many tokens we had to work to get through them. The pizza was perfectly greasy and wonderful. Beer selection decent. There was also wine and mixed drinks. This is adult Chucky E. Cheese done right. read more

A new place near Railroad Park and the Baron's Stadium -- behind Good People Brewing. A fun place with outdoor games for good weather and vintage video games many of which cost 25 cents to play -- same as in the late 70's. For the economists in the audience, the value of that same quarter today is 79 cents, what a bargain. The drinks are very reasonably priced -- ~$5 / well drink. I didn't get the pizza slice, but it looked and smelled great. In terms of service, you have to walk-up to the bar, which is fine. My recommendation would be to take a page out of the Pulp Fiction script and have the staff adopt famous characters persona. In particular, the female staff should all go with cartoon characters whose names end in 'Y'. Trixie (Speed Racer), Judy Jetson, Betty Rubble, and Daphne (ok, it does sound like a 'Y'). read more

I don't care for arcade games, but the giant connect 4 and outdoor games were so much fun! It felt like being at a great backyard party with fun activities that I didn't have to set up or take down. The drinks were fine, nothing to write home about. Service was pretty average for a busy new place. read more

I'm not a fan despite growing up in arcade culture. Yes, they have games I haven't seen since I was in college in the 80's and the games are in great condition but there are some issues that should be addressed if they expect to survive. In an empty restaurant, it took an hour to get a slice of pizza. It's not even cook to order. There are 6 premade pizzas to choose from. We were told to come back in 10 minutes to pick up the slice, then come back in 20, then another 20, then they said they'd bring it out. After waiting an hour, we went back to the pizza window and the slice was just sitting there spinning under a warmer. If they are this unprofessional and unmotivated in their first few weeks, it doesn't bode well for the business. The menu is also very limited. No sandwiches, salads or sides, just the 6 daily pizzas. Meh. On a positive note, the games are great, the space is cool and the bartenders are fantastic. Skip the pizza at Up-Down and just walk next door to Tortugas. You can get a cooked to order deep dish in less time than these guys can serve one slice. read more

Absolutely great experience at Up-Down and an awesome spot to hang out with friends. The atmosphere was lively, fun, and perfect for a night out, with massive amounts of vintage arcade games and décor that really adds to the vibe. The bar staff were very attentive and quick with service, even though the place was busy. My main mission was to check out the pizza, and it did not disappoint. The pizza window had a long line, but it moved surprisingly fast. I ordered the classic pepperoni along with the mac and cheese. The pepperoni was delicious, but the mac and cheese truly stood out, loaded with cheddar, mozzarella, and bacon, it was rich and comforting. With a food score of 96, you can really taste the cleanliness of the kitchen, with only minor, non-food storage violations noted. Overall, this is a fantastic new Birmingham spot with great food, games, and vibes. Highly recommend-10/10 experience. read more

Been here a couple times. Once when it was busy and once right before close when there was no one else really around. I liked having my run of the place when it was empty. Could choose whatever game you want to play and don't have to wait. But there are fewer options. Coming at peak time though, all the bars are open. There's more outdoor activities. You can play games in the upstairs of the storage containers. And there's too tier people watching opportunities. Another bonus is it's adults only. Come at peak time or when it's slow. Either way you can have a good time. read more

Super fun atmosphere! The drinks are reasonably priced and tasty! It is super packed on Thursday-Saturday nights which makes it hard to enjoy/play the arcade games. The price of the games is great tho! The pizza is mid but still worth trying! Definitely a great addition to Bham, but ready for the crowds for chill out soon so that people can actually enjoy the space! read more

I really like this place. My husband and I have been several times now, sometimes just the two of us and sometimes with friends. It's great to be able to hang out, drink beer, and not pay a fortune to play arcades. They have a great selection of retro arcade games and tons of pinball. We've tried several of their pizzas, and they're heavy but good-- one slice will do ya. My favorite has been the Mac and cheese pizza. The slice weighs 3 pounds and it's the only time in my life I've ever gotten indigestion BEFORE eating, but I'm here for it, hahaha. It's a cool place with a fun vibe. The service is excellent and the bathrooms are always clean. The only negatives are that their cocktails are terrible-- especially the "outside" ones. Not a deal-breaker, especially since they have a fantastic beer selection. The other negative is that it's always really hot in there, especially with the doors open. Come catch me sweating to the oldies while playing Time Crisis! read more

My wife and I had a date night here and had a blast. Such a fun place with most of the games we grew up playing. It's an affordable evening out. Had to wait to play some of the more popular games, which is to be expected, but we never waited on a drink. The bartenders were quick to serve, and I was impressed with their beer selection. Will definitely be back. read more

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Reagan , jam , & astro were amazing . Will be returning whenever I'm in town. Loved them & this place.

Great service, great specials, great time! Pizza tastes so nostalgic & the staff was great. Nice & fully staffed for a new bar! read more

Up-Down Arcade Bar - Happy hour - Arcades Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Great atmosphere and great people. The vintage games are nice and they actually work!

Up-down is almost the place that has it all First off I am thrilled bham has a barcade where games don't cost $3 per play. This is going to be the death of Paramount and D&B who charge an insane amount per play. The game selection itself is okay. Skeeball is good for groups. DDR machine is the highlight. If I had to request a machine though a guitar hero console would make this place 5 stars. I also love that they use old fashioned coin operated machines. But wouldn't it be fun if you could get tickets that could be redeemed for food and drinks? The layout of this place is great, but they need to get some shades for the windows and also shut the doors during hot summer days. It was too hot in the afternoon that it was just really unpleasant to be inside. The sun glare on the games makes it impossible to play some of them due to visibility and heat. The staff here isn't friendly but they aren't mean either. I never feel welcome walking in but also don't really feel engaged either. Guess that's okay but having friendlier staff would definitely improve the experience here. Lastly the cocktails and pizza are absolutely terrible. I was curious as to how this place would make money and now see that the games are the attraction and people will spend money on the worst cocktails you've ever had in your life. Stick to wine and beer instead.. read more