Retro Game Bar — Restaurant in Portland

The ambiance is of course interesting, that's probably how you heard of the place. Each table has a couple consoles (typically 2) attached to it (tables are first come first serve). They have a huge library of games, you just ask for one at a time. They probably have whatever you played as a kid. They bring out the controllers. You order and coordinate everything at the bar.

I was especially impressed with the food and drink. The food is reasonably priced ($10-$15), reasonably healthy (bowls with rice, topping, protein and such), and tasted fantastic. The pulled pork added to a bowl tasted better than the fried chicken (which was also good) although it doesn't present as well.

The drinks are priced normally and have the full range you've come to expect in Portland (everything from classic american brews $3 to fancy theme appropriate cocktails $12). They even have alcohol free cocktails (~$6).

The people working behind the bar were nice, friendly, knowledgeable about games (freely giving opinions on which mario kart or mario party version was the best).

I'd recommend this place whether you were into gaming or not. I think it shines for a small social gathering (2-4 people). Makes for a great date night. Pretty cheap entertainment (gaming is ~$7 flat fee per person). They run specials.

This place is a solid 5. I could imagine it being hard to get a table/game console on a busy night (friday/saturday), but not...

Preface: Overpriced foods. Come for the entertainment but eat beforehand.

Product: 5/5 The food was good and the ability to play many games was as expected.

Value: 2/5 Bought a drink that was filled to the brim with ice. Paid full price for something I can drink in easily one go. Maybe 4oz? Bought 'shareable' chicken wings for $11...but I didn't know that it would only have about 6. That's practically $2 a single wing (bone-in). Furthermore, they didn't inform me there was an extra charge for using a credit card. Not a fan of places that don't inform you of their extra fees.

Timeliness: 5/5 For being moderately busy, they were timely

Customer Service: 4/5 Again, wish they announced the extra charges instead of sneakily adding it in. Otherwise, it was good

Cleanliness: 3/5 What you expect from a typical bar

Presentation: 4/5 Not the cleanest place, but in regards to presentation, I felt it was very thematic

Overall: 3/5 Cost was pretty unreasonable in my eyes but the gaming experience ($7 for unlimited play per person) seemed reasonable. If my friends insisted on going, I'll join them but I'll make sure to eat...

I highly recommend this place.

It is ideal for anyone who played late 80's/early 90's consoles (NES, SENS, Sega Genesis, N64, PS1). They have loads of consoles setup and multiples of most of them. I've been 3 times and was able to play whichever systems I wanted to. They have a massive selection of games, and I believe they'll pull out games from their library if you ask.

The atmosphere is perfect. Comfortable and a little grungy in the way you want from a retro gaming place. It takes me back to Pizza and Mt Dew fueled nights of playing Mike Tyson's Punch out with friends.

I like the cocktails. All cleverly named and appropriately flavored.

The food is my only complaint. They have Hot Dogs. Only Hot Dogs. Not horrible Hot Dogs, but not great Hot Dogs. It fits the atmosphere, so I'm sure it's intentional, but Portland has hundreds of amazing chefs in the most unlikely places. It's an opportunity for improvement, and I hope they make changes to their menu.

If you're curious, go check it out. If my complain about food is stopping out; there are other food...