1-Up Lounge

I from Hawaii and let me start by saying that I'm a huge gamer at heart and coming to this place was a full experience of nostalgia. They had everything from A-to-Z and I was quite impressed. Aside from that the service is more than immaculate. At first I got this blonde haired girl that was super sweet and unfortunately, I did not grab her name but after her, I got Micah who was absolutely phenomenal in every way possible. Micah even let us in on they're own coffee, concoction with chocolate and let me te

Such a fun and unique arcade. It's like Ruckus Room?s older, grittier sister. There's old school games and consoles mixed in with some newer stuff. Their food menu is small but mighty and easy for snacking in between playing. Large selection of grown up drinks and non-alcoholic drinks as well. The lady bartender is so sweet and helpful! Second time I went I took my teen daughter and her friend. I paid the $10 cover for each of them (which included one non-alcoholic beverage each). I wasn't planning to pla

I love this place and I will be here constantly. For rhythm gamers it is a beautiful beautiful place. The two WACCA machines are so awesome, unfortunately one is wayyyy quieter than the other, if y?all could reconfigure them you would have my whole heart. And also maybe consider getting chuunithm? I saw lots of rhythm game people, and chuunithm would bring in a whole new group?

It was a great time played game cube and n64 with friends. We had pizza and corn dogs. Bartender was incredible. Seemed like she had no support from the anime character or homeless guy in the back. I'd come back. 10/10 because the lady bartender was working her ass off. Edit w/ Reply: the homeless looking guy had big hair and a lanyard. The anime guy was dressed like he was in an anime. They each helped the lady bartender with the TV. They didn't help make drinks or food or clean glasses.

This place was fantastic. Awesome vibes for any kind of gamer. Many retro consoles, including Nintendo 64, Gamecube, SNES and Switch, PS5, Sega Genesis, as well as a few arcade games and a bunch of pinball machines. On top of that, I the pizza blew my expectations away (they weren't very high). It was really really good, and I highly recommend it as well as this lounge. Note it costs $2 to change the games in the systems, which is a bit unfortunate, but there are many great options for games. They also had

Just pure fun! I'm a product of the 70's...so pinball is my Jam. Great environment, awesome service, the games were a blast, good variety, and the price point was fair. I definitely got my money's worth. I wish I would have known about this place earlier during my stay here in July. Weekly Pinball Tournaments...hell to the yes ??a must stop, especially if you're young at heart!

Great chill spot, great pub food and pizza, and the drinks menu and beer taps are outstanding. Awesome selection of pinball machines, all in top condition. Anytime I am in the area, I will definitely swing by 1 Up...

This bar is so fun! The variety of games is amazing and the staff are all lovely and attentive. The drinks menu is pretty big and a lot of fun themeing, even if the drinks can be a little sugary. The console games are all free to play and the cabinets are a normal, non-inflated play price

Such a fun spot! I've been a few times now with friends & always have a good time. It never feels too crowded & the machines are always operating well. The nostalgia of the arcade games, duck hunting, etc + the ?newer? things like guitar hero are alot of fun. The drinks are good & I always leave glad I came!

Great place and a great introduction to Bellingham. The bartender was AWESOME and gave no shade when asked for a low sugar cocktail (I've had less-than-ideal responses when asking for this at other bars such as "I can't do that since aLl AlCoHoL iS mAdE fRoM sUgAr" #Type1DiabeticLife). She made a custom strawberry vodka pop fizz of sorts and it was DELICIOUS. They have the newest Venom and Foo Fighters cabinet from Stern. Unfortunately, due to placement, I couldn't try out Venom (a larger patron was sittin

This place is incredible! Came here oh a whim and LOVED it. They have great priced food, really fun cocktails, and most importantly ALL the video games from childhood. Had a blast and ended up being here later than anticipated! I will always stop by when I'm in town and highly recommend as something that's fun do here.

I blessed my presence here one time. It was great. Kate was great and kind hearted server. 10/10 vibes - great for introverts didn't feel judged doing my thing. Favorite bar in Bellingham

It's very cool place open pretty late and have all kinds of pinball machines and keep in mind if you get tired of playing pinball there's a massage place that's open across the hallway

This place is super fun if you are into pinball or video games. They have all of the video game platforms set up. Some with couches, some at the bar. Drinks games and a friendly atmosphere. What more could you want. Note I did not rate the food as I did not have any.

Really crowded (not with people) mostly pinball. Nothing for kids to play. Not once did anyone in our group from the day before or today get their ID checked. Place is also pretty dirty. Cupholders are filthy and sticky bathrooms were pretty dirty as well menus are sticky. The feel of the place is like moms basement not very inviting feel at all.

This place is awesome! Game and booze! They even have videogame/nerd themed drinks and tons of tvs to play games from almost every era. You can even bring your own console and games in. How cool is that!?

Just a great place, anyone who's a gamer or into pinball will appreciate this place. Friendly staff, great drinks, had a blast with my wife.

Ordered the brisket sandwich and the side of beans with an extra side of smoked mac and cheese and an Italian soda. Took a while for it to get here, but it was all good. In the second picture I already ate some of the food out of the bowls. I forgot to take a picture of the brisket before I ate it.

The food is whatever, the drinks are great and the staff is always friendly. Pinball is fun, and there are a ton of games to choose from, even if it's a $2 game swap.

A friend of mine informed me that this particular lounge recently acquired Dance Dance Revolution Extreme, one of my favorite rhythm games, so I decided to visit the establishment. The bar undoubtedly possesses a gamer theme, as they offer a diverse selection of video games, encompassing both classic and contemporary titles. Additionally, they have a few other arcade gaming machines! From the Nintendo Entertainment System to the latest Nintendo Switch, they even have the original Xbox all the way up to the

I personally love the 1-up lounge, I go there with my friends all the time! You can find almost every console here, and it's extremely simple when it comes to changing games. However, it's kind of expensive. Their drinks range from $10 - $15, and their food options are around the same depending on what you get. But, that's not why I gave 1-Up only 3 stars. The real reason is because of their trading system. You can bring in your old games and trade them for store credit, a.k.a taking money off your tab. T

Excellent selection of pinball machines, plus they are all in great working order. Everyone, including staff, were super nice. This place rocks!!

So happy we stumbled upon this place when strolling through the cute alleyway. I been playing video games from a young age so I was suuuuuper excited to be able to play mortal kombat on Sega!! Just bought a drink and got to play. Great times.

I've worked in many barcades over the last ten years and visited even more up and down the West Coast and this place is absolutely one of the coolest! They have a wonderful mix of consoles and arcades. The atmosphere is perfect. The only downsides are a small lack of seating and that well liquor is 9 dollars. Not a very affordable place to lounge and spend lots of time in if you want to keep drinking. I would recommend consolidating some of the space of the card shop next door into the bar to make more ro

Endless selection of games with a great selection of beer. This lounge is a perfect place to kill a few hours on a rainy day or make it a night with your friends. With a ever expanding menu of oven baked junk food and now featuring cocktails and drinks, this bar does not disappoint and all your friends will think you're cool once you introduce them this this hole in the wall in the heart of Fairhaven.

Love this place. I organically found it walking around the city with my partner because it was near a beach, and when we saw it last year, we spend a few hours lost in Nintendo. We came back here last weekend and spent another few hours, missing the sunset we planned on watching.

They had a ton of great games, old and new, and they were all free to play after 8pm! I had a great time here, I'd love to go again.

Love this place! I've gone with friends and family now. It's a great place to play games, drink, and have fun, even the kiddos are allowed! This place will continue getting my service forever!! d=(^?^)=b

Always have a great time here especially on Saturdays for cosplay nights!

Really excellent place, great staff, many tasty drinks available at multiple price points (including non-alcoholic options like root beer floats made with locally produced root beer!) I highly recommend the Peachy Princess, cute name and it was super tasty! Wide selection of games available as well, including a variety of pinball machines. (Even a Stranger Things one!) A really solid place to hang out, and was an excellent place for our holiday party!

First time there on a Saturday night at 9pm and it was a treat! Great drinks and great bartenders!! Had such a blast playing the PlayStation 2 and some tony hawk on Nintendo 64. Just have to pick up a free remote and boom! you are back in time enjoying the games that brought you joy as a kid. The bathrooms were very clean as well. I think I saw some board games in a corner? They also have a calendar with events they host. Catch me there for guitar hero night ?????? My only request is more tables. I get it

Me and my friends have been coming here for a bit now. Its a nice place to relax and play some games you might have never played before. They always have fun drink combos and the staff are amazing people to be around. Love this spot

Service can take a minute because the bartenders are so busy but overall a great experience if you're there to play some video games. Drinks are really cool too and buying a drink gets you access to the console games free of additional charge.

1-Up Lounge has been a regular spot for a few months now, my friends and I attend their weekly fighting game tournaments, and hanging out here is the highlight of my week. The food and drinks are great, the games layout is fantastic and getting better all the time, the staff is friendly, and it's my favorite place for pinball in Bellingham. My first trip was a few years ago and from the first time I came in I felt at home in this town.

This place is awesome!!! Cheap, kid friendly until 7 pm, stays open until 2 am for the adults. They have video game themed alcoholic drinks that are very good. The staff was super helpful too. There is every console you could ever think of and almost 4000 games! Not to mention their theme nights!!! We will be coming back :)

Came here for the first time for my buddies bachelor party. This place is next level awesome. The beer is cold, the food is good and the staff is super friendly. Being able to play video games I grew up on and have a couple beers with friends was insanely fun. Probably my favorite part about this place is the chill vibe this place gives off. Everyone is extremely friendly. This is by far my new favorite place in Bellingham.

If you're a gamer at all and like to kick back with a drink this is the spot to stop by. I recommend rolling the D20 shot since there are no wrong choices and if you roll a 20 you get to keep the die.

This is a great place! We've have a lot of fun here. There are more than just video games, they have some card and board games as well. Fun place to go with friends. The drinks are good and they always have good beer on tap. I also really like the beef skewers! I was pleasantly surprised. They also have stuff like mac and cheese bites, reminds me of snacks I would eat as a kid while playing games with friends ??

I love Best Buds! The owners and staff are super friendly and awesome. The space is very comfortable and there is a huge selection of games to play. They have a tasty selection of beers, ciders, and non alcoholic drinks, and yummy snacks. They are still very new, but they are constantly improving and I always have a great time and feel so welcomed. Check out the various deals and events, they are very good!

Came to drink my problems away, stayed for the people. Went on Christmas night and had an amazing experience that exceeded any expectations. The other customers were very friendly and welcoming. Plenty of game selection available for casual gamers and competitive gamers alike, across numerous platforms. My bartender for the night was Hugh, an excellent mixologist, open minded, and a positive attitude that engages in conversation with those looking for social interaction. To add to that, his BBQ is to die fo

Awesome service in a fantastic place to play and hang out with friends. Tons of games and things to do will definitely come back more and more .

My first time in. Spencer the bar tender. Mixologist was awesome. Recommended a couple great drafts. And was a great conversationalist. I will definitely come back if I'm on this side of town. The atmosphere is a gaming place. I love the 80s 90s vibe.

I took my boyfriend here for our date night and it was both of our first times. I appreciate that they check vaccination status and seemed to be consistent with it. Biggest downside is that the drinks were a bit pricy for what you get. It wasn't until I switched to a cider that I felt like it was worth my money. Very cool atmosphere though and we enjoyed getting to know a couple of the other patrons!

Held a small group event there last night. The owners are super friendly and more than happy to help you pick a game if you're not sure what to play. Tasty local beer on tap and no shortage of cans either. All of their snacks are even baked, not fried. There's plenty of non-alcoholic drinks too, this spot is very kid friendly. No matter your age, Best Buds Gaming Lounge has something for everyone. Dive back into the nostalgia of Super Mario Bros 2 or check out the newest in games and consoles. I'll be back

This place is amazing! Great drinks, fun games, and the greatest atmosphere of any bar or club! It's super welcoming to women despite being gaming centric, I didn't feel out of place at all. The owners are super nice and considerate, it's an all around fun time! You won't be disappointed with Best Buds, it's an experience like no other.

1-Up Lounge is a great place to indulge in some specialty cocktails, light snacks, and channel your inner gamer. It's a unique place to bring a friend even if they don't consider themselves to be a nerd because there's so much to enjoy here for anyone. From pinball to beloved classics, this is a casual place to unwind and even make a few new friends. (You're also able to hop on over with your drink next door to their card shop and play a game.)

Been coming here for a few months after hearing about their monthly smash tournaments and have always had an awesome experience each time, wish I would have know about them sooner! The owners and staff have always been friendly and attentive, really nice and relaxed atmosphere there. They have great beers on tap and lots of great mixed drinks as well, along with tasty comfort food. There are also so very many games and consoles to choose from, retro to present, they've got a setup for it. Pretty clean place

Great atmosphere! Between Pinball and the many retro gaming consoles there is always something fun to do. It's also adjacent and connected to Cardhaven which is a great spot for DnD, Magic The Gathering, or Pok?mon Tcg pick up games. Staff is welcoming and knowledgeable.

I went in last night and got to play some fun games! Huge variety and great for social gaming. The couches are comfortable and the environment is chill; the owner is very friendly and welcoming! It was fun to watch people play 8 person super smash Bros, and the new legend of Zelda, while my husband and I played Diddy Kong and Tony Hawk. It's great for extreme video game nerds and people who never play games- it's honestly for anyone! :) I'm excited to go back!

Got mostly classics with some new stuff. Drinks are good too.

Fantastic gaming lounge to hang out at! The owners are very friendly and the atmosphere is chill. We went in on a sunny Sunday for the first time and there was barely anyone there, which I heard is quite unusual as the place is usually packed. Awesome game and console selection. Absolutely love this place. A heaven for gamer nerds!

Super cool atmosphere with every console you could ever want set up. Great selection of drinks and local beers on tap. Fun weekly events and tournaments. Best Buds has it all, and is a great place to try out new games.

Owner is super nice and I felt welcome the second I walked through the door. As promised they have so many games covering almost all consoles. This is gaming lounge takes a turn by making u feel more at home with the furniture and space. The hours are perfect for adults and kids with the lounge being 18+ only after 8:00pm. Like they said the food is cheap and the beer is plenty. The best beds gaming lounge covers all types of gamers from family hangouters or old school gamers and pros. I definitely approve

Great place to hang out and play fun games. They have cool fame themed drink selections and the Nuka Cola Quantum I had was delicious. They also have some great snacks. They have Initial D racing, too! Can't wait to go back.

Excellent bar service, loads of gaming choices with comfy couches, class snack menus, board games and social tables, and free cake if you come on the right night.

I absolutely love this place. My wife and I went with a few friends and we ended up spending WAY more time than we'd planned because of how great a time we were having. The drinks were great, the console and game selections are unlike any other video game bar I've ever visited, and the owner was incredibly welcoming and along with the staff made our visit truly memorable. I cannot wait to go back.

I came here today with my son. He is 8, we both felt comfortable here. It was fun inviting, easy to get started. I had to sign up quickly on this tablet that is provided there. Decent prices for playing. 6$ per hour. An hour flies by quickly! Games range from the classics I grew up with like duck hunt, up too the newest games out! I loved it there. We will be back for sure!

Went in for the first time this weekend and I was thoroughly impressed! They have a wide selection of gaming systems and games. Along with great food and even better beer choices. The decor, staff, and atmosphere was perfect. Definitely recommend this to anyone who who loves to game, especially for the retro gamer. Im gonna tell all my nerdy friends about this place. Keep up the great work guys!

Phenomenal cocktails, over 3,000 game options for every game console you can imagine, and excellent vibes. The Mac and cheese bites are addicting? get the 16 piece order; there's nothing better than munching on delicious snacks while playing nostalgic video games. Absolutely would recommend to everyone! Definitely going to be a usual spot

Awesome place to hang out and play any game imaginable, alone, with friends or on a date. Drinks were incredible and the bartender/owner was very friendly. I do however think extra staff on weekends would be helpful with keeping them from getting easily overwhelmed. 5 stars except taking one off for the food. 12 pickle chips for $6, .50 cents per pickle chip...really? Other than that I loved this place and will come back every time I'm in Bellingham.

Pretty superstar place, especially for the price. If you are coming with a big group, I'd call ahead as they can sometimes have large touraments or groups. They make excellent Mocktails, if Logan is working, ask for a Fuzzy Logan, they are the best.

I love visiting 1UP Lounge :) everyone is so chill! The staff are always friendly and nice, even in busy/stressful times. Huge variety of games to play! From pinball to old school consoles and even board/card games! They even host tournaments and fun themed parties :) highly recommend

Honestly, this is one of the coolest bars I've ever been to. It was pretty chill this Saturday but it sounded like it was a slow night. Incredibly friendly atmosphere and the bartenders were SO cool and helpful! I don't think I've felt that welcome as a new customer anywhere. I thought the crowd was pretty diverse, pretty much anyone could fit in here. Drink, socialize, bring friends, or just kick it. Anyone in the area should check it out. Easily one of the most unique and extraordinary establishments I've

Fantastic venue that features more video games than you knew existed. Laid back, large space with lots of couches and seating for comfortable game play. Outstanding hosts welcomed us warmly. Though we were confused about where to go and what to do at first, when we asked, they helped us to learn and play different games even though we weren't familiar with very many of them and likely outside of their normal demographic. Few food and drink options but food can be ordered from nearby venues.

Great atmosphere and friendly helpful staff make up an awsome experience. The beer selection is always good and the game selection is the best around. Great place to hang out and chill. I frequent this place because of how much they have going on. There are trivia nights, various tournaments, and they even broadcast live esports at times. Very friendly owners that always make the place a safe comfortable environment.

This is my favorite bar. I've been going there for 4 years. Best thing about them is that they change up their drink menus from time to time to keep things interesting. The bartenders are also super sweet and they work well during a rush! Great drinks, great games, great service.

Wowowowow Chloe and Kate were exceptional.they both made sure that their customer left satisfied ??

I had the lucky chance of getting to rent the lounge for a bachelor/bachelorette party with 20(ish) other people. We got to put in requests for games to have up for the night, and they let us switch them out when we asked to. Everything was super clean and well put together (no sticky controllers, thank god). Not only were the bartenders the coolest, and some of the kindest I've ever spoken to, but the drinks (and shots ??) were amazing. Highly recommend the Cinnamon Toast Crunch shot, Strawberry Mule and

Great place to spend an evening and get to know fellow gamers! If you are wanting to play a video game, old or new, but don't have it, or want to try it out before you buy, this is the place to go. Drink to play for adults. Seriously though, the community aspect is fantastic. I have met several people that I would call friends, and the discord allows for the community to continue outside the lounge. The staff is friendly, and the drinks are fun and delicious. Never not go here. - Me (Jeremy, proud owner of

If I could rate this place 6 stars I would. Every time I go up to visit Bellingham from Texas I stop by this place and I always have a great experience. Whether it's interacting with Hugh, his staff, or just the amazing community they foster the conversations are always great and everyone is super welcoming. Games are nostalgic, beers are tasty, and as someone from the south the BBQ is pretty delicious.

This place is outstanding!! Over 3,000 games and a ton of console types, plus delicious snack food and both kid/adult beverages. This place is probably the most affordable and comfortable place to game for all ages in Whatcom County. It can be a little bit tricky to find if you are mapping it. The best way to do this is to map Cafe Blue (an adorable coffee shop right near it). When you get to the cafe, you'll see a brick alleyway on the left that goes back behind the cafe. Go all the way down the alley, and

Super fun place with a great atmosphere. They have some of the first video games I ever played (in the 80s) but also recent releases. The video games are all free with drink purchase and the drinks come in a wide range of offerings.

The place was amazing and the staff was so kind and funny! I got a good couple of laughs while discussing games with the staff there and there are so many options when it comes to games, there is something for everyone and I am definitely bringing plenty of my friends to this place to show it off! I recommend this place for anyone who wants a laid back environment to either just hang out with friends casually or just to have some good quality fun!

Listen to me when I say they this place is seriously one of the best experiences of your life. Hugh and Alex are what make the this place so amazing. Beer and almost unlimited games are a fraction of what makes this place so great. Looking for a good time that doesn't bust the wallet, consider your self a gamer?, looking for a gaming spot. You need to hit this place up.

As 1-up / Best Buds, they are an awesome video game bar. Decent beer selection for a small bar, solid cocktails, small selection of box wine, tots and mac & cheese bites are a go to, but they also expanded their menu to more "fancier" things over the years. Definitely a fun place to go to play video games with friends. Hopefully Covid goes away so they can reopen that part of their business. As Uncle Hugh's BBQ, I'd say they are doing their best to keep the boat afloat and Hugh can make some mean BBQ. The

Best bar I've been to in Bellingham! They have pretty much any game I could imagine playing, across so many generations. They keep up to date too! Had some drinks and great food while playing Super Mario party with my friends tonight and the game just came out today! 10/10 will be there many more times, maybe even this week.

Big fan of retro games and this place totally fills that need. Staff is super friendly and helpful. Just wish the space were a little bigger (and the cocktails a touch stronger) but otherwise definitely recommend.

Super chill spot! Pretty extensive game library! We played Silent Hill 3 on a PS2 :)

The bartender was super nice and friendly. The drinks are super good and he gave us awesome recommendations. I love that there is a lot of fun games. It's a clean bar in a great location. 10/10 my new favorite.

I love this place! Awesome place to hangout, have a drink, and play almost any video game you can imagine in the company of inviting, knowledgeable staff and all for a very inexpensive price if you're an adult who plans to go after 8PM. Plus they host really fun events that involve small groups and big groups together in an effort to get people connected and have a chill place to hangout and be weird.

Fun little place. We've been twice and love the laid back atmosphere. Lots of games to choose from. And the best margarita you'll ever have. Hugh is an awesome bartender. We live an hour away and will come to Bellingham just for this bar.

Clearly the owner is merely there to hang out with friends. I tried on multiple occasions to enjoy this establishment, but I just can't. With the terrible (no) service, the lack of any fun atmosphere takes away any positive energy I had before walking into the lounge. I asked for help with a broken controller once and was completely ignored by the owner. The only people having fun are the people that have yet to step in.

This place is SO RAD. The environment is super comfy and clean, the staff is incredibly welcoming and fun, and they have EVERY VIDEO GAME EVER on a bunch of different tvs. Such a relaxed and awesome space to have a few beers, chat with friendly folks, and play video games. Also, it's kid-friendly during the day (which is awesome for people who have/like children) but after 8 it's a bar, which is totally my preference. I can't wait to spend wayyy more time here.

It is a really great idea of a place. You get a really big selection of games that you can play, meaning if you can't afford a certain game or console you can come in and play it. All the employees I interacted with were very friendly. It's definitely worth it to at least check it out.

I can't even describe how great this place is in a quick review! I was on vacation spending time with friends and family in Bellingham and a few of my friends took me to this new place that had opened up! I had an amazing time and got to talk to the owners of the store. This is the perfect place to go if you're looking for a place to go play games or meet people who maybe play the same games as you! It doesn't cost any money to go in, sit down and play some games. The place has a great vibe and I had an am

Pretty great place. I wish they had just a little bit larger selection of energy drinks (and maybe more food), but they did just start so I'm not holding anything like that against them. The game selection is mind blowing, they have pretty much anything you can think of. It would be pretty cool to have different community nights, like say the gaming area near the front door is reserved for Rockband on Thursdays, Rocket League on Tuesdays, things like that, I dunno, just an idea. It would also be helpful t

We got delivery tonight (all the way out in Sudden Valley) and it was delicious. We ordered the family meal, and it was all great. Brisket was melt-in-your mouth good, and the pulled pork was tasty too. The sides were awesome. Delivery driver was friendly despite being out in less than ideal conditions due to the recent snow. Definitely some of the better food in Bellingham. Flavorful, perfectly cooked and well seasoned. It was nice to get some quality barbecue without having to drive to Lynden! Thanks a

Came in tonight to rehash some late 90's- early 2000's nostalgia, and damn did Best Buds scratch the itch! Hugh & Alex were both very friendly and attentive hosts. All of the controllers I used were in top notch condition, and the game selection was on point as well. With a well stocked food and (full bar) beverage selection, Best Buds is definitely a solid venue for a good time with friends or your significant other for a date night. 5/5 would recommend