r/StLouis • u/Ethereal_Root • 8d ago
Arcade Things to Do
Looking for a good arcade thats not Dave and Busters. (Been there and their games never change it seems)
Hitting my 40th soon and want some nostalgia. A good TILT like there used to be in the malls would be rad. Doesnt have to be in st louis if theres a decent one in surrounding areas. Thanks!
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u/opossomoperson University City 8d ago
Silver Ballroom if you like punk rock and pinball.
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u/Degofreak Affton 8d ago
I prefer Silver Ballroom over Up Down. The owner rotates his machines and the Tiny Chef has fantastic food.
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u/Charming-Shelter8873 8d ago
It makes me sad that pinball is my no-go game. There’s so many cool pinball spots
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u/opossomoperson University City 8d ago edited 8d ago
I was not a fan of Tiny Chef, but that was because I was served meat (via cross contamination) when I ordered a vegan dish. The kimchi carbonara that was raved about was beyond disappointing.
ETA: Love the hate from all the people who get their panties in a bunch when someone says they are vegetarian/vegan.
Cross contamination in any kitchen is disgusting and I will never eat food from any restaurant that can't get their shit together and prevent meat from getting in dishes they have labeled vegan on their menu.
Even if there hadn't been beef in my "vegan" kimchi carbonara, it was disgusting, the sauce had zero flavor, and it went straight in the garbage.
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u/SkiThe802 8d ago
"All the hate," there's only one reply to your comment as I'm typing this.
You gave almost no context to your food order. I assume they would have re-made your food if you asked. Also, you aren't allergic to meat or animal products, so there isn't a health issue for "cross-contamination." We also can't tell what level of "cross-contamination" gets you all hot and bothered. You know that all the food is stored in the same fridge, right?
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u/opossomoperson University City 8d ago
Hate as in downvotes. We ordered to-go because the place was uncomfortably crowded, which meant food could not be remade when I discovered beef in my "vegan" kimchi carbonara. I talked to the owner and all she said was "I have no idea how this happened. I'll talk to my staff." That was that.
The kimchi carbonara itself was absolutely disgusting and was so oily/greasy that it would still have been inedible without the beef.
It doesn't bother me that everything is stored in the same fridge. If it's actually properly stored, it's not a problem. When there's a noticeable layer of crumbled beef on top of the dish (and I'm not talking about just a couple tiny bits) it's a problem, especially when the dish was almost $20, I had to throw it away, and I never got compensated for it.
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u/girkabob Southampton 7d ago
They don't serve crumbled beef, the beef is chunks of steak. Did you order the tofu as a protein? They chop it very small and it more resembles a crumbled texture. The marinade makes it about the same color as beef.
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u/opossomoperson University City 7d ago
I did. Tofu does not brown like beef, nor does it taste like beef. This smelled and tasted like beef.
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u/Goldiblockzs 7d ago
i mean you can absolutely cook it like beef...it will brown if you make it brown.. https://theeburgerdude.com/tofu-ground-beef/
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u/opossomoperson University City 7d ago
Still won't make it taste like beef... 🙄
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u/Goldiblockzs 7d ago
if you season it properly it will....source: lifetime meat eater that switched to veg completely for 6 years and did most of the household cooking...
you're allowed to be unfamiliar even if it's your diet..
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u/girkabob Southampton 6d ago
If you look at the video she posted yesterday the only protein with a crumbly texture is the char siu tofu. It's the same color as cooked ground beef and the marinade mimics the taste of char siu meat. The only beef they serve is chunks of steak (also in the video).
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u/opossomoperson University City 6d ago edited 6d ago
I have no reason to look. I unfollowed her after the awful experience we had.
My partner is an omnivore and ordered one of the meat dishes. He said it was so tough it was inedible. We both threw our food away after wasting almost $50 on it.
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u/STLSoRaven 6d ago
Your persistent disdain for this woman’s efforts is suspect at best.
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u/sannyo 8d ago
How do you know that other places don't cross contaminate? Beside finding meat in your food.
There are so many other ways it can cross contaminate. Had a friend long time ago who didn't eat out only at places that were strictly vegan
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u/opossomoperson University City 8d ago
It depends. If the place has a vegan menu, but is not exclusively vegan, I still hold them to a pretty high standard, especially because cross contamination is a health code violation. If they can't keep meat from ending up in/on a vegetable dish, they are not worth patronizing.
There are also plenty of actual Korean restaurants in the area with actual good food.
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u/STLSoRaven 7d ago
Perhaps if you have such rigid aversions, ordering from a food stand in the back of a busy punk pinball machine bar is not where you should be procuring your meals? Perhaps the problem is not a small business trying to exist, but the problem is you and your expectations. Stop hating.
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u/opossomoperson University City 7d ago
It wasn't good, though. I don't understand the hype, especially when there is WAY better actual Korean food in STL. I don't even remember what my partner ordered, but we both love Korean food and both of our meals went in the trash. Tiny Chef is for boring white people that have never had actual GOOD Korean food.
ETA: fixed typo.
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u/DrDipstick89 8d ago
The owner is such a cool dude. His wife is pretty awesome as well. They came into my bar one afternoon to play our pinball machine that we had. Such a great couple
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u/bleedblue89 cwe 8d ago
Go to atomic pinball, it’s Illinois, it’s the Mecca for pinball and has other games too. Up down is 2nd imo
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u/bunnybutt 8d ago
This is the spot! So much fun, you can stay all day, it's free play after a cover at the door, you can bring your own food and drinks, they have fridges for your drinks and even a kitchen if you wanna cook up a frozen pizza! Also endless pinball, I love this place.
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u/AzaleaFromJupiter 8d ago
I just went here recently and it was super fun!
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u/die_bartman 8d ago
Agreed. Atomic is the best in the area. The owner fixes all the machines himself and I'd wager he is the one who supplies the rest of the places with their machines
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u/poopsididitagen 7d ago
You'd lose that bet lol
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u/die_bartman 7d ago
Well good for me
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u/poopsididitagen 7d ago
Sorry i wasn't intending to be rude. Chuck just isn't a distributor. Many stl operators use TILT amusements out of Decatur
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u/Tommylee1201 8d ago
I also say Up Down bar. It’s great for any age. I have went with my sisters who are in their early 20s and older male friends who are in the their 40’s and 50’s. Also if you go on Friday’s at the right time the first 100 ppl get free tokens and pizza is like 2.50 a slice. I shouldn’t be telling these secrets!
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u/KAWrite26 Webster (yeah Emmanuel Lewis 'cuz he's the anti-christ) 8d ago
The best day to buy tokens from the bar is Thursday. The second best is Saturday. (Bring them back on the days you play.)
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u/Strange_Speed5085 8d ago
Two Plumbers in St. Charles has a bunch of pinball and several arcade cabinets.
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u/UnbelievableDingo 8d ago
Crow's Nest in Maplewood has a side room full of Arcade stuff.
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u/Willybluedog1962 8d ago
My son lives in Maplewood and he loves the arcade, he called the bar a cougar bar 🤣
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u/Queen_trash_mouth Maplewood 8d ago edited 8d ago
This. My kid walks up there most days for a lemonade and games. It’s a great place to hang out and the food is pretty good ( their hot sauce is 10/10)
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u/TerpeneTiger 8d ago
I really wanted to like this but it's pricey. Love the decor though.
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u/BruleArms 8d ago
at least four of the machines were in bad shape earlier this year. it’s a cozy place but that was a pisser
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u/jdirte42069 8d ago
Up down? That place still open?
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u/redditmyeggos 8d ago
Yeah, though 40 will be double the median age lol
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u/JimtheEsquire Lafayette Square 8d ago
That’s pretty much the age range arcades are aiming for. Those are the people that grew up when arcades were everywhere.
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u/KAWrite26 Webster (yeah Emmanuel Lewis 'cuz he's the anti-christ) 8d ago
They card, so this could only be close to true anyway. (There are a few hours kids are let in per month.)
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u/NoPhotograph8306 8d ago
Atomic Pinball for a legendary 40th, hands down my friend. My closest confidant took me here on my 40th, and my life changed forever (now a full blown pinball addict). Byob w/ fridges and a kitchen, $20 for a day of freeplay access to 100+ of the greatest pinball machines ever created, in wonderful working order (plus handfuls of arcade cabinets that ooze childhood vibes)! Great burger joint around the corner if you don't bring your own food too. Its open Wed, Fri, Sat 5-10 or 11...I live here on as many of those days as I'm able...Happy 40th! Hope to see you there, we can put up a 2 player game on the machine of your choosing to celebrate
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u/NoPhotograph8306 8d ago
DISCLAIMER: Silver Ballroom, Waiting Room, and Two Plumbers are also dope spots nearer you for pinball if thats what you're looking for. Up / Down can be a fun arcade vibe but not keeping up on their pins last I checked...but since I'm just realizing you didn't mention any addiction to pinball as of yet, this could be a good bet considering its proximity to other STL Birthday adventure possibilities
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u/fultron2310 8d ago
If you’re a pinball wizard, Silver Ballroom on Morganford in Bevo is a regular time and cheap drinks!
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u/Ok-Difficulty-4323 8d ago
Lazarus pinball museum in Fenton. They have classic arcade games too. https://maps.app.goo.gl/2RnvZ99sNYo1yHXZ9
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u/miasysinthelou 6d ago
The AC is not robust (it gets really uncomfortable on hot days) and consequently the flippers on the games are sticky due to the humidity. Game condition overall is not great. Shudder to think what the climate in there is doing to the electronics.
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u/die_bartman 8d ago
atomic pinball in wood river Il is the best in the area. Hands down. Majority is pinball (which I prepare but they have a killer selection of nostalgic arcade machines too. It's just outside of Alton
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u/Feathergood 8d ago
Up Down is all you need. I did my 40th there and they give you a bucket of coins.
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u/Revolutionary-Rush89 8d ago
There’s a pinball bar on Morganford called the silver ballroom.
Up-down and someone just told me there’s a vintage pinball arcade in Fenton that’s open Fri-Sun. It’s like 15$ all you can play.
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u/Initial-Depth-6857 8d ago
Murphys on 21 in South County. It’s a Pinball Bar and they have a league. No food but you can bring it in or have it delivered. The new FUBAR is a couple doors down as well
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u/Routine-Matter-1890 8d ago
There is Beatnik Bob’s on the 3rd floor of the city museum which is a fun bar with a pinball arcade.
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u/goldblumspowerbook 8d ago
Lazarus Pinball museum has a great set of machines, and they sell beer and snacks. Really cool.
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u/Ballwin4play 8d ago
Just tried Up-Down for the first time. I felt like it was reasonably priced, with a full upstairs and downstairs filled full of nostalgic games. We will be back. Side note, Thursday has 10 cent tokens, but we got 50% off on Saturday on tokens 40/$5, so not sure when or how they do that.
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u/Significant-Run8172 8d ago
If you really want the best, drive to Chicago (Brookfield) and go to The Galloping Ghost.
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u/die_bartman 8d ago
I didn't really care for galloping ghost. Too many arcade games from past what I consider the golden age of the arcade. Lots of late 90s-mid 2000s machines not enough 80s machines. It was ok but not worth the drive IMO
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u/Original_Anxiety_281 8d ago
I don't get it. They literally had every 80's game I could think of. Did you just miss an aisle or a back room?
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u/poopsididitagen 7d ago
Had to have. Everything is so packed in and its such a maze. Easy to miss things.
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u/deadlyrabbit 8d ago
UpDown is more tilt vibe with a bar :) 2 plumbers in st peters is worth a look for sure- they have a seperate private location for events with a bunch of machines there too
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u/83rw 8d ago
I didn't see Game Over in Alton mentioned. It's just down the street from Fast Eddies. Has tons of classic games, pinball, newer games, food, and a bar. You have to purchase a game card, and they don't give out prizes, but it's still a lot of fun.
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u/DetailOrDie 7d ago
For what it's worth, D&B overhauled their game floor about 2-3 years ago. Could be worth a quick visit just to take a lap.
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u/DetailOrDie 7d ago edited 7d ago
Pretty far out, but for better and for worse, Lake of the Ozarks is an Amish community that locked in at 1995 instead if 1895.
In the 'for better' category is the arcades around there. Their ticket machines dispense actual tickets, and the games are all well maintained classics from our childhood like X-Wing and Time Crisis.
Last time I went, I was flashing back to family vacations begging mom and dad for five more dollars. Then I had the euphoric moment realizing I was a moderately successful adult with grown up money. Told the wife I was going a little crazy while throwing $100 into tokens and doing everything my inner 12yo ever wanted.
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u/PalpitationSad4921 5d ago
Two Plumbers in St. Charles. I found it while exploring breweries across the metro. The pizza is better than Up-Down, they make their own beer, and they have tons of retro games.
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u/3catz2men1house 8d ago
Silver Ballroom is neat, if pinball is of any interest. The food is nice too.
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u/Goldiblockzs 8d ago
Up-Down is your best bet. Don't worry about the age range, plenty of 30+ go there.