Headquarters Beercade

This is hands-down my favourite place to visit in Chicago. The selection of games was extensive, the staff were extremely friendly and the vibe was so much fun. I've met a few new people here on various nights, it is quite conducive for getting to know people. Note - many people are there to just enjoy the experience by themselves, but I met so many folks who were keen to play 2 player games throughout the evening. Special shout out to all those people getting their cars towed at 11 pm. I often stayed u

What a cool spot in downtown - parking could be troublesome as it's street level, but found a good spot nearby ($15 for 3 hours). Drinks were really well made, and the food was high quality and not too pricey considering you are downtown. Lots of classics mixed with newer allowed for all types of fun. Everything was freeplay except for darts and basketball, but totally worth it. Not sure if that is always the case. Noted there are trivia nights and events occasionally as well. We'll worth the visit if

I love this bar so much even though it was my first try. I love arcade bars and this place has so many fun arcade machines including modern games like street fighters! It was such a fun and great atmosphere. I really enjoyed the time that I spent there. I wish they had their bar in New York too. It is amazing!

The food was great! My favorite was the truffle fries. The tofu baos were tasty but could?ve used a sauce for extra flavor. The elote fritters were our least favorite. They offer a varied menu, and I can't wait to come back and try more dishes. Most of the games are free to play, and there's a wide variety to choose from. It's a fun spot to hang out with friends or family, and they also offer table service.

Sadly the kitchen was closed and we had a train to catch so our visit was brief. But I really enjoyed this place! Chill vibes, bartenders and host were really nice. The selection of arcade games was great, lots of retro classics. They're free, we used several machines and they were all in good condition. Not a huge drinker but the cider and berry thorny drink were really good! We will def return on a night where we have more time.

Really cool place to go on a date or hang out with friends. Drinks are reasonably priced and most games are free. Loved their decor!

The kitchen was closed when we went so only 3 stars. Craft beer was good and the service was good. Arcade games are free. Basketball and others are not free.

Headquarters Beercade is one of my favorite spots in River North. Tons of free-to-play vintage arcade games, great vibes, and the **DJs on Friday nights always keep the energy up** with a perfect mix of throwbacks and party tracks. Add in the **cheap beer deals**, and it's a no-brainer for a fun night out. The drinks are solid, the staff is friendly, and the whole place has a cool, laid-back feel. Perfect for a casual hang, date night, or just reliving your arcade glory days. Highly recommend.

Been to a few bar-cades, and this is one of the best I've been to, especially within Chicago. 1. All the games work. Amazing. 2. All the games are free. No tokens. Amazing. 3. Didn't try the food, but the beer selection is good. 4. Atmosphere, decor and vibes are great. Beers seem a bit more expensive, but worth it for such an easy experience.

Such a cool place! Once it got a bit busier service was much slower than expected. Food is pretty decent, but you are paying bar prices. However, it's an awesome place to hang out, so many free-to-play games and parking was pretty easy to find. Definitely recommend for a date night, friend hangout, or company outing.

Fun place! They have craft beer on tap and can. They say at the bar "no label beer" I had a bay breeze it was great. We ordered a cheese pizza. It was also good. They said they make the dough in house. So there are these reservation signs on all the tables and couch areas. If you didn't get a reservation for a table then you have 2 options to sit. The bar or by the windows there are tables and chairs that look outside. I honestly felt this place was geared more for bigger groups. Even tho we spent a lot of

One of my favorite spots in the whole city. I love being able to be a big kid while having a few drinks. It's free entry and all the games are free except basketball, which is only $1. They have good drinks and food as well. It's always nice and clean and rarely is it super crowded. The only negative I have is on my last visit, on Christmas Eve, our bartender wasn't so nice. I guess he was having a bad day.

We celebrated my niece's birthday there, we all had a great time. Food was delish, the atmosphere was great, and the games brought back nostalgic memories pretty classic, which brought me back to my childhood years. I rated 4 stars on food and service consecutively because, for me, the pizza was a little salty. The service was okay, just the waiting time was a bit longer. Other than that, we all had a great time. Thank you.

I had an amazing time at beercade...I lived in the arcades back in the 80s...popping quarters in the video games and attempting to get the highest score possible on the game I was playing...now I can play all my favorite games coin Free!!!!! And have BEER to boot...This playground has some great choices of brews...also some tasty cocktails....they also have a great menu...yet I didn't have a chance to sample the food...due to all the time I spent playing video games....Beercade is my new Home away from home

Was overcharged at the bar. Asked for 2 blue kids on the block, which cost around $13 each. The female bartender said she was out of an ingredient and offered vodka (Tito's) and redbull and said it was a similar drink. So we said ok, and she billed us $42 for 2 drinks. That was insane. We paid for the drink and didn't argue but felt ripped off. We finished our drink and didn't order more we left and took our business elsewhere. We had plans to go there in May for a birthday celebration, which will be cance

Sticky floor, dimly lit arcade with your standard bar service. The games were free! Dress code enforced.

My favorite bar in Chicago. I have been going here since the day they opened and it has been nothing but amazing times. The beer is great and the cocktails are delicious. Service is always wonderful and they swap out the game regularly. Games are included. Keep up the great atmosphere and work. Love this place!

Great spot to go with friends, stop by on a night out, or even for a fun date night to switch it up! Of course the free arcade games are the main attraction, but I was also impressed by the higher quality of the food than most bars. This spot is open every day from 4pm-2am which is cool, and the manager (maybe owner) plus staff were all so nice. Very pleasant experience! Get the crispy chicken tacos!

Severely understaffed. Food was pretty inexcusably bad, had the pizza and it was completely under. The server tried his best amidst broken ice and espresso machines. Despite the website stating all games were free, there were a few (skeeball, basketball) that were paid. Perfect date spot for drinks and some pretty amazing arcade machines, but terrible for larger parties.

A place for adults to get drinks and food and play video games is not completely unique. Places like Dave & Busters have sprung up in a lot of places, but not many of these places is like Headquarters Beercade. First, it's distinctly adult. No one under 21 is allowed. Make no mistake, is a bar. If want a place to play video game without kids running around this way better than Dave and Busters or any of its clones. Second, most of the games are free. With only a few exceptions, you can play as much a

Great spot to grab a pint or two while playing a couple classic arcade games. I love that they have most of the classics plus multiple pin ball machines for free. Bring a few $1's to play darts or pop-a-shot

The kitchen was closed when we got there just at 10PM, but otherwise VERY MUCH ENJOYED the experience! Music was "on point" & I really LOVED that the DJ warned the entire bar of a car that was gonna get towed...

This place is such a fun date night spot! Go here for after-dinner drinks and games. All the games are free. They don't have a mocktail menu, but the bartender was able to make me some anyway.

Free arcade games and fun beers. Really good date spot and fun to hang out with some friends and play some multiplayer games. Can also just throw down on some pinball in a social environment if that's your solo vibe

You'll definitely feel welcome here ?? Most all the games are free, no cover. The employees are very kind and accommodating. One even charged my phone for me! Definitely had a good time, and they have a decent variety of drinks

It is such a great place and truly great staff. An employee named Kay was there checking ID at the door when we arrived on February 1, 2025. He greeted us with the best smile. He is one of the most friendly, caring and outgoing people I have ever met. Full of joy and smiles and engaged in a GREAT life filling conversation with us. You can tell he truly cares about people and customers. He truly made us feel so welcome and cared for as a customer. Good job hiring such an amazing guy!!!

Not a bad experience, reasonable clean and good service. Beer was cold a games were easy to access. Didn't get to try any food. I would say this seems like a smaller version of Dave and Buster.

Great atmosphere, the food is very good, huge variety of drinks and cocktails. The space is big so can host a lot of people without being too crowded. Plenty of games. The music is also different and varied.

It was an amazing time. Everyone was nice, the area was clean, and despite it being a professional establishment, I had a massive amount of fun. So much that I definitely intend to go back this week even!

The Freeplay arcade machines and drinks make it a great late night entertainment venue!

In downtown Chicago, a spot so grand, Headquarters Beercade, where fun's in demand. Endless games, a gamer's delight, With top-notch pins, all shining bright. For free they stand, a gaming oasis, A haven for joy, a true gamer's basis. A beer selection, vast and fine, A symphony of brews, a taste so divine. Good food abounds, a culinary feat, A treat for the taste buds, a delectable greet. But the pinball selection, it steals the show, A treasure trove of thrill, a pinball lover's glow. Download Stern Ins

Came here several times, always have had a great time. Tons of arcade games, no coins needed. Just buy some drinks or food to support the establishment. It does get crowded after 7pm on Friday and the weekends.

Headquarters Beercade is our Favorite Video Game Bar! It has interactive games that you could play for free. Has cozy couches, thoughtful touches like sanitizers beside those machine so you could sanitize your hands before and after you touch game machines. They have delicious choices of drinks and food in their menu. I loved their drinks! We came here many times to have drinks and play our 80's - 90's games. Staff are nice! We love this place, so cool!

I like the Christmas decorations here. Pop culture is the best cocktail?? UPDATE: My second visit to this awesome place ?? I tried the volcano fries, Brussels sprouts, chipotle chicken sandwich and the signature burger everything was so yummy ?? I'll def come back here ????

BEWARE OF THE FIXED 20% SERVICE CHARGE. I ordered 3 Apple Cinnamon Whiskey shots at the bar and they tacked on a 20% service charge that equals more the total of the 3 shots together. For all 3 shots, it was $24.00, the 20% service charge was $5.36!!! That is almost 25%!!! No where at the bar, on the menu or website, does it note a mandatory 20% service charge. They don't even give you the option to take it off. The shots were premade from a bottle that the bartender poured. Along with that, they ask you to

Very chill and lowkey spot! I really enjoyed the free Arcade games and awesome selection of beers! Will definitely visit again!

The audacity of this place. DO NOT GO HERE as the city of Chicago tows across the street after 11pm. Beercade security and staff are aware and don't let customers know as they enter their property- signs are only posted on one end of the street so if you come from the opposite direction, there is no way to know of the tow rule unless told and the employees don't tell you until your car is towed.

Jocelyn is absolutely amazing! The way she serviced while it was busy is extremely impressive. The games all work and is free beside darts and basketball! Will be back!

I had a very nice time at Headquarters Beercade not only because of the drinks/food, but the atmosphere it brings as well. The free arcade games adds a nice touch to the place (95% are free) because truly feel like a kid playing games and having fun. Highly recommend their Signature Grilled Cheese and the Pop Culture cocktail.

Cool place to play retro arcades and enjoy drinks and beers. Loved the Mandalorian and Stranger Things pinball machines! Games are free, which is a great plus. Great ambiance.

This is the super amazing fun my partner and I had at an arcade, this is exactly what it should be? free arcade machines! Even though drinks and food are pricey, we really enjoyed ourselves. So, if you want an unforgettable experience, be prepared to budget for it!

My new favorite place!!! Hurricane fries, grilled cheese, cocktails and arcade all awesome! Plus they had Van Damme playing in the background- that was awesome! Perfect night out

Went at around noon on a Saturday. The staff was very friendly and professional. Our bartender was awesome and made delicious drinks. I highly recommend the Saturday Detention. My friend ordered the truffle fries and the portion was large and they were delicious! Very fun place, love the variety of the games. We will be back!

Went during a Saturday night; if you're looking to good strong drinks and free games this is the place for you. It does was get crowded but if you're good with a moderately packed place you'll be just fine.

STOP BY. Food is great and drinks are great. Our bartender Luke was super helpful and very attentive. Also, THE GAMES ARE FREE!!! You get a drink and play for free all night! So so awesome. Never stopped by a place with free games before. So glad we stopped by.

Very prejudice place / staff. Waited outside for my friends to pull up and was being watched by the door man or manager. When everybody arrived we all took a shot before trying to go in outside. It was about 3 guys 5 girls. They wouldn't let us in because they were afraid of us acting Belligerent or to loud ghetto. We were simply celebrating a friends birthday. All because we took a shot was there excuse for not letting us in lmao we were prepared to spend $200-$300 on food and drinks games. To bad for thi

Really great barcade with free play on most games! Pinball is in great shape (though I would love to see some more classic games!) Amazing they keep it on free play. Go just to see the back bar?s incredible tribute to Back To the Future!

Great arcade bar Decent options for games Staff was too busy to serve me, but it was empty when I went. I'm sure service is better other days

Fantastic chicken sandwiches, superb pinball selection, delicious drinks. My only complaint is that I don't live next door.

This place is great ! Great drinks , not to mention they have industry Mondays which is 50 percent off ! Josh was amazing to talk to , the vibes were amazing and I really enjoyed myself. Josh was great make sure you ask for him and tell him Fatima sent you !

One thing is for certain this is the most affordable and interactive game bar that you can find. One of the things I love is it being the kid at heart out as soon as you're hit with the sight of the amazing pin ball machines and various arcade games. The biggest highlight from this entire experience is the price. The would be a great location for a first date or a fun night out if you're not looking to spend to much. Enjoy your heart out with many amazing games for FREE out of the many games available on t

Initially the impression they gave wasn't great. They were trying to accommodate our big group of 7 people but weren't willing to join tables. This changed when the manager himself noticed that we were sitting on a single small table. He was very friendly and do was our waiter. He suggested this cocktail Clever girl which was incredible. The hurricane fries are to die for. Most of the games are digital but there's a few old School arcade games like ski ball and basket throws apart from pin ball.

Free to play arcade games. Bit too many street fighter type games for my personal taste but would recommend as a whole.

Headquarters Beercade is packed with free arcade games, pinball machines, a full food menu, craft can and draft brews, and an innovative list of signature cocktails to explore. The interior is decked out in retro iconography all around. This place is really fun and takes experienced dining in River North to the next level. Check out the menu items we tried below: HQ SICILIAN STYLE SAUSAGE PIZZA: House-made Italian Sausage, Roasted Tomato Sauce, HQ Signature Cheese HQ BURGER: griddled onions, machine pick

I would give this place 5 stars, but the food is way below average for a hefty price (12.00 for 6 small wings!). The arcade game selection is phenomenal if you grew like me going to arcades spending a ton of quarters and dollars on arcade games that are now free to play here. Also they are open late with plenty of free street parking which is a big plus for the area the restaurant is in. The food is mostly finger food with a high price point for below average taste; however they have great staff, service a

Good selection of Beer as expected. Games are fun and all free. Food was okay but it's a Beer+Arcade, two places not known for their spectacular food options.

Britney our bartender unfortunately Terrible service. After waiting for over 30 minutes and continously ignoring us threw my friends credit card back at him after we didn't tip her after her bad service. All the other bartenders gave wonderful service but her. She can't handle big events. Will not be back! Yuck

Edit: came back (again) 2 days after the reation below and the holiday spirit and decor is on point! Whether you come here for a fun aracde game night, the awesome beers on tap or the insta worthy holiday decor: its always a great night! They're open 365 days a year and I can honestly say it would be the funnest place to visit all of those days. Original: 5 ??+ stars for the door people: this us honestly the most fun place to go in chicago but what makes it best its best is tommy hands down the most

Headquarters Beercade is the perfect spot for a fun night out! Not only does it offer great entertainment with over 70+ vintage arcade games and pinball machines but it also has amazing food and cocktails. I absolutely loved the triple cheese pizza and the popculture cocktail and I can't wait to go back and try more of their menu! Here's a list of all the items I tried during my visit: Popculture Cocktail: absolut elyx, lychee, saffron, lemon, ginger beer, blackberries Blue Kids On The Block: blueberry i

I LOVE HQ Beercade! I can't believe that they offer free arcade games! Also, the drinks were some of the best I've ever had. They are also beautiful! The games are so fun and some are very nostalgic. I haven't played Frogger since I was 8 years old so it was fun to see the original game again!

Amazing time!! I thought this was going to be like Dave & Busters but it was so much better. Almost all the games were free and I got to get my old school games on as well as pinball. I hadn't played pinball in forever. Drinks were spot on and food was excellent. Highly recommend the Assault and Pepper and Undertaker for drinks. Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Soul Caliber and Killer Insinct to name a few of the classic arcades there. Just a great time. I had the Mama Mia burger which was fantasti

Delightful. Delicious good. Was able to make the quesadilla vegetarian friendly. Salt and vinegar fries were amazing. All kinds of cider and beer. Almost all the arcade and pinball games are free!

We had no idea all the games here were free before we went. Had the time of our lives!! The DJ they had playing was awesome! And they have any arcade game you could possibly want to play. This is my new favorite spot in Chicago to hangout at

HQ Beercade is just the perfect winter spot! So much fun and all the video games are FREE! lots of throwback games too like pac man! And food and drinks are tasty! But, their Christmas decor is something you can't miss. It's cozy, it's fun! I had the best time. Get their grilled cheese and chick peas fries!!

Blonde girl with black smokey eyeshadow was rude as hell. My boyfriend and I were at the bar looking at the drink menu online, she comes up and we say we want the ?blue kids on the block? then she proceeds to shake her head no and point to the Sunday brunch menu and walks away. She comes back and I say ?our drinks we want are our on brunch menu?. She proceeds to make our drink. She comes back for the payment I obviously don't tip her because she was rude for the jump hitting her vape in my face. She was m

It was my first time there. I went for a night out for my birthday. The games were all nostalgic and they all worked! I loved the drinks at the bar. I had Oreo shots! They were so good! I had more than I expected. I would love to go again!

Cool lil date vibe with my wife had a great time great customer service had a few drinks and some food food was so good forgot to take pics will be back soon

A fantastic place with a great atmosphere and amazing cocktails. The place is full of arcade games and pinballs, the dancefloor is bit enough but not too spread out. You will see items from the 80s all over the place and walls and this makes the place unique. You must try it!

Had a blast playing endless pinball. Great place to hang with friends and coworkers. Waiter was always on top of it making sure we had drinks as well.

Headquarters Beercade is our favorite destination in Chicago! So happy they reopened in time for our visit. The drinks and food are great and reasonably priced. The games are free and there's a great variety. Don't miss the opportunity to visit this unique gem!

First time at HQ Beercade and had such a memorable night with my friends. The pinball machines and most arcade games are free, the food & drinks were great, and the staff was extremely accommodating. The hurricane fries were a fave amongst everyone, as well as the pizzas we ordered. I also highly recommend their clever girl cocktail for something refreshing or the pop culture cocktail for something subtly sweet. Shoutout to Matt for the amazing hospitality! Highly recommend HQ for a nostalgic and fun night

Went here for a tequila event and it was so great. Very smart way of bringing people out and filling up the place. Didn't have any food but from what I saw it looked decent. Pretty cool arcade bar though with TONS of games.

One of the best barcades I have been to - friendly staff with solid drinks. And free games! That took a sec to process, as I'd never seen that in a place like this before. Not to mention they dug way back for some of their selection. The dj area being decorated with cassettes was a plus too (cuz I'm old). Food looked good as well. Absolutely no complaints, highly recommended stop.

Love Headquarters Beercade! Been here a few times now and I always get hooked on the pinball machine ?? the atmosphere is so lively and it's a great place to hangout with friends to get some great bites & fun cocktails! My favorites are their hurricane fries & chicken tacos! They are to die for!

Absolutely enjoyed the food, drinks and atmosphere!! A must return when were back in Chi-Town! Waiters were great and games brought back all the memories!

Great spot for some games and some drinks. Staff is wonderful. Friend left her phone behind and Josh ran out after us to get it back to her thank you.

Staff is very friendly, games are in good shape. Burger was very good, my only complaint is the truffle fries, I did not get any of that truffle flavor on them. The citrus miso wasn't bad but needed the savory/umami truffle to balance it out. I would recommend just doing the regular fires.

This place is such a VIBE!! They are bringing back all the classics with all of the retro arcade games. My favorite are all of the different pinball games they have! They also have a variety of craft brews and delicious cocktails if you are thirsty. Some delicious apps too!

This place continues to rock. They have a nice assortment of video games (sports ...), newer games and pinball machines. Free games is a nice option.Good crowd too. Keep the games and parties going. Maybe add pick up games and tournaments and better music?

This was such a fun experience! All of the games are free, so drink and play to your heart's content. Had a great time playing around and the beer list was good, too. Definitely enjoyed the nostalgia factor. They had older movies playing, too. Bloodsport was on the TV when we were there. They have a lot of older games and some much newer ones, too. The pinball was great and several different Mortal Kombats!

Definitely one of the coolest "bar" experiences I have ever been to! In fairness, I was here for a wedding, and a package they offer event is an open bar for guests for four hours, so that made it super easy on the wallet. Even so, the mixed drinks, and craft beer selection were amazing. Personally had something called the "Hungry Hungry Hipster" which I believe is one of their house specialties. Pay attention to the bartender as they make it. Quite the show! Also, one of the very few non brewery tast

A fun hangout spot with all the free retro arcade games you can think of. It was a bit crowed (with Covid and everything), but i guess that is to be expected with a place such as this. The drinks were pretty dope, particularly the watermelon one. If you're in the area, drop in!

Cool place to go to. $100 minimum for 1 table if you want to sit down. Good food. Strong drinks. Almost all the arcade games are free! Awesome staff !!

Amazing selection of FREE arcade games, especially pinball. Great drinks and friendly staff. Really fun geek atmosphere with a trendy touch. Gets a little too crazy at night for those more interested in games and craft beer.

Great atmosphere, lots of cool old school arcade games and pin ball machines. Good was delicious, will go back next time I'm in the city!

Nice place for old school arcade games anda nice drink. Not a fan of the obnoxiously loud music after hours.

Great place for drinks and fun! Wait staff was very friendly. We had so much fun playing the arcades and drinking. The decor was stellar!!

Had the BYO burger w/ fries. Its parking available on the street, but you have to pay the meter. If its after rush hour, you dont have to pay til 5 am the next morning. Games are free all except maybe two, dont quote me on that. A decent selection of games to keep you occupied. They were having a savage bingo game going on tonight. Prize was $400 or two tickets for some event. The crowd was really into it.