Awaken your inner child with vintage arcade games and delicious drinks at a fun-filled Wisconsin bar arcade.
Here are our top five picks to check out:
Aftershock Classic Arcade
Madison
Wisconsin’s original classic arcade is back and better than ever; and this time it has a full bar. Back in 1997, the company’s creator, Brad Van, stumbled upon a broken Pac-Man machine in the nook of a Madison gyro restaurant and the rest was history. Aftershock Classic Arcade has been refurbishing vintage arcade games and serving up drinks ever since. All of the best coin-operated games are available in a fluorescent setting. Whether you want to take on Dance Dance Revolution or House Of The Dead, there is something for everyone. The same goes for the bar menu at this Wisconsin bar arcade. There are crushable classics like Blue Moon, or more unique flavors like Indeed Pistachio Cream Ale. The punny cocktail menu also features drinks like the Super Margarita Bros and the Princess Peach Smash. You can also reward your taste buds with locally baked soft pretzels from Batch Bakehouse. Or treat yourself to a nostalgic Klondike bar or Drumstick cone to relive your childhood dreams. For more information, visit aftershockclassicarcade.com.
Cherry Lanes Bar Arcade
Sturgeon Bay
This shabby-chic bar arcade has swiftly emerged as one of Door County’s most popular destinations for both family entertainment and a trendy nightlife atmosphere. Home to one of Wisconsin’s oldest restored bowling alleys, Cherry Lanes Bar Arcade is also known for its massive collection of arcade games and impressive pinball displays. The bar will also blow you away. Old bowling balls serve as menu holders on retro-inspired tables, and there are eight beers exclusively from Wisconsin on tap. There’s also nothing wrong with soothing your sweet tooth with a Baumeister root beer float or a cold brew cocktail with bourbon whipped cream. Along with fun finger foods and charcuterie spreads, the menu features hot dogs, brats and hand-tossed pizza, all made locally. So, gather a group for a visit to Sturgeon Bay’s historical Main Street district for some authentic Wisconsin bar arcade fun. For more information, visit cherrylanesarcadebar.com.
Asgard’s Underworld Arcade Bar
Wisconsin Dells
A full arcade, axe-throwing and alcohol? Nothing beats Asgard’s Underworld Arcade Bar in Downtown Wisconsin Dells when it comes to creating an immersive Wisconsin bar arcade experience. Perfect for birthdays or bachelor(ette) parties, this arcade bar can transport you back to an earlier era, thanks to the vintage atmosphere and childlike wonders of the Wisconsin Dells. There are over 50 games to play, including Pac-man, Guitar Hero, and a variety of retro pinball machines with themes like Spiderman and Ghostbusters. At the bar, be sure to check out the Tiki Tom Beermosa, an orange, slushy-style beer inspired by the infamous Screwdriver cocktail, or the Bluavapple Puff Tart, a sour ale infused with blackberry, pineapple and marshmallow. But the nostalgia doesn’t end there. The kitchen is also serving up familiar favorites such as cheesy garlic breadsticks, ballpark nachos and adult-ified grilled cheeses. And while in the Dells, you might as well go for the notorious Ragnarok pizza, topped with beer cheese sauce, sauerkraut, bratwurst, pickles and cheddar cheese. For more information, visit asgardunderworldarcade.com.
BrewCade Pub
Waukesha
Drink, eat and play until your heart’s content at BrewCade Pub, a quaint arcade bar along the Fox River in charming Downtown Waukesha. This hidden gem is loaded with modern and retro arcade games and even has a collection of craft cocktails named after 80’s hits. Hit the arcade to reminisce about classics like Frogger, Hot Wheels or even the Big Lebowski pinball machine. Then, be equally impressed with the bar’s menu of top-charting hits, including the Pretty in Pink, made with prosecco and cotton candy, and the Maneater, a vibrantly blue coconut rum with a frenzy of gummy sharks and a bloody drizzle of cherry syrup. The adult-friendly menu also features spiked slushies with drunken gummy bears. You can keep the momentum going with a specialty focaccia crust pizza. Some of BrewCade Pub’s signature pies include flavors like bourbon cheeseburger, pesto chicken and even crab rangoon. For more information, visit brewcadepub.com.
X-Ray Arcade
Cudahy
Home to an electronic and entertainment-filled environment, at this Wisconsin bar arcade you can expect more than enough games, music and screen time. Visit X-Ray Arcade in Cudahy for an electrifying experience from the past with the help of hand-picked arcade machines. You can hit the floor to play Simpsons Bowling, Area 51 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Or you can find the bar for console gaming with systems like Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis on more than six screens. The bar also serves traditional tallboys for the straight shooters and a constantly changing selection of craft beers for the risk-takers. X-Ray Arcade also offers wine, hard seltzers and a full bar for more creative requests. As for the food, the star of the show is undoubtedly the legendary full-size pizza bagels. Also, be sure to check out the music lineup because X-Ray Arcade is known for its edgy live entertainment. For more information, visit xrayarcade.com.