Midnight Arcade — Restaurant in Toronto

If you are looking for a place that has a very 80s/90s vibe then this place is a must-visit! Located in the heart of Kensington Market, Midnight Arcade is an asian inspired bar/club that is not what you expect! The entrance might be deceiving but trust me once you step into the door it transports you back in time. A staircase with floral wallpaper leads you to the 2nd level where you will be greeted with neon lights, sick music but more importantly it will remind you of a quaint bar in Asia. Literally so many stunning nooks to sit and chill with your friends. The seating options are far too many, which I personally loved! We went there for a date night and chose to sit at one of the booths. So cozy and yet so comfortable. We went there around 7:30ish so entry was free on weekends but if you were to go post 10pm there is a DJ on the weekends + $5 cover charge BUT the best part is all the arcade games are free to play! Now that so cool, no? . . . 🍸Cocktails - Both the cocktails were absolutely bomb.comm! Breath of the Wild (the purple one) & Spicy Peach - $15 each. 🍽️ Food - The appetizers are all under $10 (which I personally thought was super cheap!) but they slapped so hard!! Jalapeño Poppers were probably the biggest I’ve ever had (they were massive), filled with breaded jalapeño stuffed with nem nuong (pork sausage) and cheese. Bonito Tofu was the best Tofu I’ve had in my life (no kidding), smooth and velvety tofu with mayo and onomaki sauce, topped with dried baby shrimp and bonito flakes & Hash Sticks were absolutely smacking. I can’t emphasis how delish these were! Now as for the mains they only do Detroit Style Pizzas and we ordered the Red Curry Pizza & Nem Nuong Pizza, these were packed with fresh ingredients but super huge for $25! But the best part is the pizzas are 50% off from 6pm to 9pm. Every single day!!! WHAT! 🫶🏽- Service for a bar/club was 10/10! Special shoutout to Brain, Jo, Caitlin & John for being super kind and amazing!! I believe that people make a place and they surely do make your visit extra special

No offense, but the selection of the food menu just looks like it doesn't match the whole vibe of the bar. Like...Brussel sprouts with shaved salted egg yolk and furikake ??? But honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. It tasted GREAT...I might make that. The stuffed tofu with okonomi sauce was a bit salty, but both were served in worth paying for portion.

I came at 10PM Saturday (last night). There's a cash cover fee of $10. +$3 for coat check. Security outside doors to check ID. Go in and up to 2nd floor and there's a booth with ATM to pay the fees. There's a turnstile to get in and additional security just in case.

The overall space isn't huge, it's like a rectangle, where you're entering in the middle of one of the long sides. Past the turnstile, you're directly faced with a line of 2-person tables along the wall. Behind that wall is bigger group seating, for up to 8 people, 4 tables. To your left, the bar, washrooms, more wall sectioned seating, high tables no seating, 2 arcade machines. To your right, 2- person tables, and an area for 8 arcade machines.

The bar accepts card. Bartender was really kind and accommodating, and I would give him more than 5 stars if I could. I'm taking a bit of an alcohol break for health reasons, and he was able to make me a few mocktails, which was so nice. I also ordered the Brussel Sprouts (thought I ordered the fries looking dish too, turns I hadn't), and was served the Tofu. He had them remake the Brussel Sprouts and I felt bad that there was this tofu just now..wasted so I offered to pay for it too, but due to the wait and error, it was offered on the house. 🥹 Thank you.

The place was starting to build up traffic when I arrived and quickly got crowded because I was part of a very large 20+ person group. It was so crowded it was hard to walk anywhere, you had to squeeze just to get by anyone.

Overall, I wish they had a few more games! But totally understand if they can't add more because of space. It was a fun time. The DJ was playing alllllllllllllll the right songs.

I really liked this place because of the options. A 20 person group like mine obviously comes with many different personalities, but everyone was able to enjoy because of the arcade theme, and the space, and open seating. You could be as little as one person, 2 people, are come as a huge crowd like mine, and it would all work out.

Overall, would come back and bring...

Midnight Arcade in Kensington Market is an absolute vibe. The décor is a nostalgic, artful blast of arcade nostalgia—neon lights, retro games, and cozy nooks. The staff are attentive and friendly, keeping the energy high all night. Drinks are creative and reasonably priced, with great happy hour deals and a killer cocktail menu. Plus, all the arcade games are free to play, making it a fun and affordable night out.”

⸻

What Makes it Special • Stylish & Nostalgic Decor You’ll step into a retro-inspired space decked out with neon hues, arcade cabinets (including those beloved Initial D racing games), and intimate seating areas that feel both chill and vibrant.  • Games Included—No Extra Cost One of Midnight Arcade’s biggest draws? All arcade games are free to play, creating a playful, inclusive vibe.   • Drinks & Food That Impress Signature cocktails like ‘Breath of the Wild’ and ‘Spicy Peach’ are crowd-pleasers, while food items like jalapeño poppers, tofu, and creative Detroit-style pizzas are both tasty and affordable—especially with 50% off pizzas during happy hour (6 – 9 pm daily)!  • Friendly & Fun Service The staff are consistently called out for creating welcoming, memorable experiences—special mention to bartenders like Cal, whose service gets repeat praise.  • Ambiance That Caters to All Whether you’re there for a casual date, hanging out with a group, or celebrating a birthday, the energy adapts. DJ sets start around 10 pm on weekends, making the space perfect for dancing, lounging, or both.  • Value-Driven Specials Cover charges are modest (around CAD 5–10), coat check fees minimal, and arcade access is free. Regular specials include soju bottles, rail shots, and...