GameOn bar+arcade — Restaurant in Maryland

Do you miss arcades? That's called nostalgia. Do you want to be reminded of why arcades aren't a viable business model in a frustrating way? This place is perfect for you!

Most of the staff is entirely focused on serving food and alcohol. That's the main profit point for this place, as most of the classic arcade games are only 50 cents (an incredible deal!) and the modern stuff is a dollar. And it shows. The bar is always very crowded, they have lots of nostalgia themed custom alcoholic beverages. And pizza, and wings, and other bar food. It's a loud bar, playing loud music, with almost no space for people. There will always be a ton of inebriated people just milling around, standing in places people might want to walk, because they literally have nowhere else to go. There is not enough space here. The games are all cramped, blocking paths.

The arcade games range from Very classic to late 90s, with a few extra modern games and pinball machines thrown in. There are some really good classic games here. Most of them look like they're in decent working order, but some of this hardware is at least decades old. It breaks. The replacement parts break. There are a ton of machines there that look like they're in working order, but they aren't. Maybe Right doesn't work on one of the joysticks. Maybe the start button doesn't work on one of the players. Maybe the left coin slot is broken and will eat your tokens without giving you credits. Or perhaps something else has gone wrong! Maybe the machine is off because of a power outage the night before. Maybe the machine is off because one of the food preparers spilled cooking oil near the cabinet. Or maybe the game just arbitrarily resets itself. I experienced all of these issues and more trying to play a specific arcade cabinet over the past couple of weeks!

The staff is unable to help you. They can refund your tokens if you can get their attention in this loud, crowded place. But they can't make the game work again. They might just stare at you blankly. And if you're not actively drinking or eating, they are financially disinclined to help you. Emailing them can fix the issues, sometimes. Maybe the game will be on tomorrow. Maybe the problems won't recur. They will.

Are you here on a Tuesday-Friday? It's loud music and drunk adult night! The cubicle workers have come here for ambience and alcohol! You might be hit by one of the basketballs from the hoops shooting game because they're just That Drunk!

Are you here on a Saturday or Sunday? It's screaming children day! The parents are all huddled near the bar and few tables getting their drink on, allowing the arcade cabinets to raise their children for them because Oh God They Need A Drink. Be prepared for screams at random intervals, children shaking their token cups loudly for no reason, crowding, bumping, and intermittent slamming of the prize machines because they want a free prize and they want it now.

They're trying to make it work, they really are. But it's just not.

Stay home, play videogames with your friends, get drunk at home with your friends, or alone, alone's good too. Arcades were responsible for a lot of cool innovations in videogaming back in the day, but that day is over, and this place is a sad reminder that the past is dead, and so...

GameOn Bar + Arcade in Columbia, MD, is a fantastic addition to the newly developed Merriweather Pavilion complex, offering a unique and fun hangout spot for both adults and families. The venue seamlessly combines the nostalgic charm of classic arcade games with the lively atmosphere of a bar, making it a much-needed destination for entertainment in the area.

The arcade features a wide variety of games, from timeless pinball machines to more modern light gun games, catering to all types of gamers. The pricing is very reasonable, with most games ranging from $0.50 to $1 per play, making it accessible for a fun night out without breaking the bank.

The bar program at GameOn is equally impressive, offering a solid selection of fun cocktails and beers that appeal to a wide range of tastes. Whether you're in the mood for a creative drink or just want to grab a beer, there's something for everyone. Additionally, the bar is family-friendly, offering a variety of non-alcoholic beverages and light bites, ensuring that all guests can enjoy the experience.

A standout feature of GameOn is its generous reverse happy hour, which starts at 9pm every night and runs until close. This makes it an ideal late-night hangout, offering great drink deals for those looking to extend the fun well into the evening.

Overall, GameOn Bar + Arcade is a great place to unwind, have fun, and enjoy some friendly competition. Whether you're a fan of classic games, looking for a place to hang out with friends, or just need a kid-friendly spot to entertain the whole family, GameOn delivers on all fronts with great drinks, fun games, and a...

tl;dr: it's a dollar per play for every game even those that last less than a minute. Drinks are fairly priced and about what you'd expect for an arcade bar. But until the arcades are more reasonable it's just an ok bar with very expensive decorations.

Actual review: As my family can attest, I absolutely love arcade bars and especially pinball. I'm a regular at some arcade bars back in my home state and have been regularly going to them for years, so I was quite excited when I learned a new one was getting put in walking distance from my apartment.

From the outset it seems pretty solid, it has a decent line up of some of the more modern stern pinball machines, DDR, some classic arcade fighting games, good themeing, and decent drinks. It has everything you'd expect of a good arcade bar. However, every arcade game is $1 per play. In a world where most places where people aren't even excited about 50c per play and would rather do the $10-$20 cover charge for free play, 1$ per play on all machines, even skee ball, is just ridiculous. I've spent less per play at theme parks with prizes at the end.

I'm sympathetic to the cost of modern arcade cabinets, and the owners probably wanting to pay back the many, many thousands they had to invest for the lineup. However at the current price I just can't recommend Game On to anyone who enjoys arcade bars. If you want a local bar, with some ok cocktails, and a fun backdrop, then Game On is a decent spot. But until the price to play is more reasonable then that is all the arcade cabinets will be, a very...