Arcade 11 Bar & Restaurant — Restaurant in Hays

I don’t normally do reviews, let alone bad ones but I need to share my experience. Starting off, as my sister and I made our way into the building we were very happy with all the arcade games and low and high top tables and bar. There was no one greeting us or signs saying to seat ourselves or wait so I wondered around for a bit til I saw a server at the bar. I walked up and asked if we seat ourselves or if menus would be brought to us. She told me that we can only order up at the bar but can take some menus to our table. Once we decided on what we wanted we went to the bar to order. I ordered a chicken wrap and an adult beverage. My sister ordered a burger and Mac n cheese. I then got asked if I wanted to start a tab and that she would need a card for it. I am a bartender and server at a higher end restaurant so that is normal to hold a card for a tab. After giving her my card she immediately swiped it on the machine and asked if it was locked. Of course it was. I was then told to unlock my card for a pre authorization. I don’t put a lot of money on the card I use for tabs so I had $30 in my checking. (More than enough to cover our tab) and $30 in my savings. As I got on to unlock my card I noticed my $30 in checking was gone so I asked if it had charged me. She said no. I showed her the transaction on my phone for the amount of the bill. She then told me she didn’t do anything with my card and didn’t run it. After I watched her swipe it! She told me it wouldn’t authorize so I moved over my other $30. She ran it again. Now $60 is gone. On a pre authorization for a $29 bill.

Next, we sat down and got our food. Delicious food. Now, I’m not trying to bash on this girl but she didn’t come back once to check on the food or our drinks and walked by multiple times ignoring our table. We had plates stacked at the end of our table and half a wrap left waiting for a to go box. My sister had mentioned she had made eye contact with her multiple times as we were searching the area for a to go box. Finally I headed up to the bar to pay for my bill in cash, which I planned to from the beginning and get a to go box. As I was standing there I noticed a small note on the register saying pre authorizations take FOUR DAYS to be returned to my account. WHY DID NOBODY CARE TO POINT THAT OUT BEFORE RUNNING A CARD?

Being in the food industry myself, I care a lot about tipping other servers and always make sure I do. Unless I’m left with no money on my card and no explanation, or have to...

Am I the only one that got a weird vibe as soon as I walked in? I asked if I should be seated or wait, and I got looked at like I'd asked a really strange question. After some pondering, it was decided that I could order food at the bar (people dining alone don't get tables I guess?). The person at the counter was absolutely great, professional, and courteous. I ordered a burger and tots to go and went to play games while I waited.

When I came back to check on my food, I was told the hamburger meat was all frozen so it would take an extra 15 minutes for my order. I switched to a chicken sandwich and went back to play games. One small group was playing a game that occasionally made a noise that sounded like the place was falling in -- not an electronic game, but something... more physical? I don't know.

It was all just weird...

Such a fun place! Definite 80s arcade nostalgia with modern technology and kitchy decor. The video game selection is varied enough for every taste and there's plenty of low tech games too. The beer wall is cool and easy to use and I enjoyed the tropical PacMan drink from the bar along with tetras tots & beer cheese for dipping! I was there in the daytime & they were able to accommodate a couple of kids parties without it taking over the place and the kids seemed to be having a great time. I can't wait to go back in the evening to experience the adult only hours! Super friendly staff and fun environment. Definitely recommend and...