Looking for a trip packed with retro fun?
This Illinois road trip will take you to 7 quirky arcade bars that bring back the best of the 1980s!
1. Headquarters Beercade (Chicago)
First stop on our neon-lit nostalgia trip is Headquarters Beercade in Chicago.
This place is like stepping into a time machine, if that time machine was powered by craft beer and ’80s rock anthems.
As you approach, you’ll see the glowing “HQ” sign beckoning you like a lighthouse for lost gamers.
Inside, it’s a veritable wonderland of bleeps, bloops, and flashing lights.
Row upon row of classic arcade cabinets line the walls, each one a portal to a simpler time when saving the princess was your only concern.
But here’s the kicker – all the games are free!
That’s right, you heard me.
Your quarters can stay snug in your fanny pack (you’re wearing a fanny pack for this trip, right?).
Instead, use that cash for their impressive selection of craft beers.
Nothing pairs better with Donkey Kong than a hoppy IPA, trust me.
The decor is a perfect blend of retro cool and modern chic.
Exposed brick walls adorned with vintage game artwork create an atmosphere that’s part arcade, part art gallery, and all awesome.
And let’s not forget the neon sign that proudly proclaims, “Don’t grow up, it’s a trap.”
Words to live by, my friends.
2. Galloping Ghost Arcade (Brookfield)
Next up, we’re galloping (see what I did there?) over to Brookfield to visit the Galloping Ghost Arcade.
This place isn’t just an arcade – it’s a gaming mecca, a pixelated paradise, a… okay, I’ll stop with the alliteration, but you get the idea.
Galloping Ghost is the largest arcade in the USA, boasting over 850 games.
That’s not a typo, folks.
Eight hundred and fifty.
You could play a different game every day for more than two years and still not try them all.
It’s like the Library of Congress, but with more zombies and spaceships.
The moment you step inside, you’re hit with a wave of nostalgia so strong it could knock the scrunchie right off your head.
The air is filled with the sweet symphony of beeping, booping, and the occasional frustrated groan (we’ve all been there, Pac-Man level 256).
Unlike Headquarters, Galloping Ghost isn’t a bar – it’s all about the games here.
But don’t worry, you won’t go thirsty.
They’ve got a selection of sodas and energy drinks to keep you fueled for your gaming marathon.
And trust me, you’ll need it.
With so many games to try, you might find yourself losing track of time faster than you lose lives in Battletoads.
3. 8 Bit Arcade Bar (Peoria)
Our next stop takes us to Peoria, where 8 Bit Arcade Bar awaits.
This place is like the cool basement hangout you always wanted as a kid, except now you’re old enough to enjoy a beer while you’re crushing it at Street Fighter II.
The exterior might not look like much – just another brick building in downtown Peoria.
But step inside, and you’re transported to a world where neon reigns supreme and every problem can be solved with the right combination of button mashes.
8 Bit strikes a perfect balance between arcade and bar.
On one side, you’ve got a solid lineup of classic games.
On the other, a well-stocked bar serving up craft beers and cocktails with names that would make any gamer chuckle.
Fancy a “Mega Man-hattan” or a “Mortal Kom-buca”?
They’ve got you covered.
The decor is a love letter to all things retro gaming.
The walls are adorned with pixelated murals of iconic game characters, and even the bar stools look like they’ve been lifted straight out of an ’80s arcade.
It’s like sitting inside a giant NES cartridge, but with better drinks.
4. Emporium Arcade Bar – 1366 N Milwaukee Ave (Chicago)
Back to Chicago we go, this time to Emporium Arcade Bar on Milwaukee Avenue.
If Headquarters Beercade is the cool older brother of arcade bars, Emporium is the hip cousin who always knows where the party’s at.
As you approach, you’ll see the glowing “Emporium” sign, looking like it was stolen straight from a Tron set.
Inside, it’s a feast for the senses.
The cacophony of game sounds mixes with the chatter of happy patrons and the clinking of glasses, creating a symphony of nostalgia and good times.
Emporium boasts an impressive collection of both classic and modern games.
Want to show off your skills on Centipede?
They’ve got it.
Feeling like some four-player Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action?
Cowabunga, dude!
They’ve even got a few pinball machines for you silver ball wizards out there.
But what really sets Emporium apart is its event calendar.
They regularly host tournaments, themed nights, and even live music.
It’s like someone took an arcade, a bar, and a concert venue, threw them in a blender, and created the ultimate hangout spot.
Related: This Funky Arcade Bar in Illinois Will Take You Back to Your Childhood
Related: The Nostalgic 50s-Style Diner in Illinois that Will Have You Dancing the Twist
Related: This 1950s-Style Diner in Illinois is Like Stepping into an Episode of Happy Days
And let’s talk about that bar for a second.
Their beer list is longer than the credits of a Final Fantasy game, with a rotating selection of craft brews that would make any beer snob weep tears of joy.
They’ve also got a solid cocktail menu for those who prefer their drinks shaken, not poured.
5. Arcadia (McLean)
Now, let’s take a little detour off the beaten path to McLean, Illinois, home of Arcadia: America’s Playable Arcade Museum.
This place is less “bar with games” and more “interactive time capsule of gaming history.”
Housed in a charming brick building that looks like it could have been plucked straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting, Arcadia is a love letter to the golden age of arcades.
As you approach, you might think you’ve accidentally stumbled onto a movie set for a period piece about small-town America.
But then you see the “Recreation” sign, and you know you’re in for something special.
Inside, it’s like stepping back in time to 1983.
The place is packed to the gills with vintage arcade cabinets, all lovingly restored to their original glory.
We’re talking games you probably haven’t seen since Reagan was in office.
Remember Zaxxon?
They’ve got it.
How about Burger Time?
You bet your sweet pickle it’s there.
What sets Arcadia apart is its commitment to preservation.
This isn’t just an arcade – it’s a museum.
Each game comes with a little placard explaining its history and significance.
It’s like a field trip and a gaming session rolled into one.
You might even learn something between rounds of Galaga!
And here’s the kicker – all the games are set to free play.
That’s right, no quarters needed.
Just pure, unadulterated gaming bliss.
It’s enough to make you want to dig out your old Trapper Keeper and stone-washed jeans.
6. Enterrium (Schaumburg)
Our penultimate stop takes us to Schaumburg and the futuristic wonderland known as Enterrium.
If our previous stops were about reliving the past, Enterrium is all about embracing the future of gaming while keeping one foot firmly planted in nostalgia-ville.
As you approach, you might think you’ve accidentally wandered onto the set of a sci-fi movie.
The sleek, modern exterior looks more “space station” than “arcade bar.”
But don’t let that fool you – inside, it’s a perfect blend of retro charm and cutting-edge cool.
Enterrium bills itself as an “eater-tainment” venue, which is a fancy way of saying “we’ve got awesome games AND delicious food.”
And boy, do they deliver on both fronts.
The game selection runs the gamut from classic arcades to the latest and greatest in virtual reality experiences.
Want to shoot some aliens in Space Invaders?
Go for it.
Fancy taking a virtual roller coaster ride?
Strap in, space cowboy!
The food menu is a cut above your typical bar fare.
We’re talking gourmet burgers, artisanal pizzas, and appetizers that wouldn’t look out of place in a fancy gastropub.
It’s like someone took an arcade, a high-end restaurant, and a tech showroom, and mashed them all together into one glorious entertainment smoothie.
And let’s not forget the bar.
Their cocktail menu reads like a love letter to geek culture, with drinks named after everything from classic video games to sci-fi movies.
Fancy a “Sonic Screwdriver” or a “Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster”?
They’ve got you covered.
7. Logan Arcade (Chicago)
And for our grand finale, we’re heading back to Chicago to Logan Arcade.
If this trip has been a journey through the history of arcade gaming, Logan Arcade is where past and present collide in a explosion of neon and nostalgia.
As you approach, you can’t miss the vintage “Logan Hardware” sign, a nod to the building’s past life as a hardware store.
But don’t be fooled – inside, it’s all about the games.
The moment you step through the door, you’re hit with a wave of sounds and lights that’ll make you feel like you’ve just walked into the world’s coolest basement circa 1985.
Logan Arcade boasts an impressive collection of both vintage and modern games.
They’ve got all the classics you’d expect – your Pac-Mans, your Donkey Kongs, your Street Fighters – but they’ve also got some rare gems that’ll make even the most jaded arcade veteran’s eyes light up.
Ever played Tron?
They’ve got it.
How about the elusive Discs of Tron?
Yep, that too.
But what really sets Logan Arcade apart is its commitment to the local gaming scene.
They regularly host tournaments and events, and they’re always on the lookout for rare and unique games to add to their collection.
It’s like if your cool uncle who always had the latest gaming console decided to open an arcade.
The bar is no slouch either.
They’ve got a solid selection of local craft beers on tap, and their cocktail menu is a perfect blend of classic and creative.
And if you’re feeling peckish, they’ve got a rotating selection of food trucks parked outside.
Nothing pairs better with Mortal Kombat than a gourmet taco, am I right?
So there you have it, folks – a whirlwind tour of Illinois’ finest arcade bars.
Let the journey unfold!
This map is your guide to every twist, turn, and unforgettable stop ahead.
From Chicago to Peoria, from classic cabinets to VR, we’ve covered it all.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a date with Ms. Pac-Man.
Game on!