Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade and Bar
4.5(6,161)4.5 out of 5 stars, 6161 reviews Portland, OR
About Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade and Bar
Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade and Bar offers a nostalgic arcade experience with a vast collection of classic games and pinball machines, making it a fun destination for families, especially those with children who enjoy video games.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families looking for a fun outing during winter breakParents wanting to introduce their children to classic arcade gamesGroups of friends or family celebrating special occasionsChildren aged 6-16 who enjoy video games and arcade experiencesAdults who are nostalgic about 80s arcade games
Why families love it
- Over 40 pinball machines in pristine condition
- Tap card system for easy game access
- Variety of mocktails and drinks available
- Unlimited play days available, enhancing value
- Large selection of classic arcade games
- Friendly staff and bartenders
Insider tips
- Visit during unlimited play days for the best value
- Consider going with a friend for safety in the neighborhood
- Check for events to enhance your visit experience
Good to know before you go
- Visiting late at night due to neighborhood safety concerns
- Going during peak hours if you prefer a less crowded experience
- Neighborhood safety concerns, especially regarding parking and walking
- Strict bag checks and no outside drinks allowed
- Crowds
- Less crowded during unlimited play days on Sundays, making it a good time to visit
- Value
- Parking is $7 for up to 5 hours. Unlimited play days offer great value, allowing for extensive gameplay without extra costs. A $20 card can last several hours with credits remaining.
- Food
- No outside food or drinks allowed
- Safety
- Bag checks at the entrance to ensure safety
What parents say
"Always a good time! They have some nice mocktails if you don't feel like drinking. They have a great selection of games and pinball machines, and seems like they have lots of events going on too."
2 weeks ago
"If you're an 80s kid, you will love this giant collection of arcade games and pinball machines. Things have been upgraded with tap cards replacing the need for coins and this place serves beer and wine so you can have some extra fun while trying to resurrect your arcade skills that you've long lost. This is a fun evening. But be warned the neighborhood is a bit rough so be careful where you park and walk."
4 months ago
"From this 60 year old San Diegans perspective, this place rocks! First off not only are there 40+ pinball machines (I only played about 8, and every one seemed to be in pristine awesome working condition) and that is far from normal in any establishment I've ever visited. You load a card with credits and imo it was a great value, as i played almost 3 hours and still have credits remaining of my $20 but in, WTF? Awesome!👍🏼😁💯😍🥰💚 Didn't order any food or drinks, but looked to be a great selection and at very reasonable prices. 👍🏼 They are strict upon searching bags and no outside drinks "
4 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
