Pixels

Pixels

Reviews Summary

Pixels is consistently praised as an exceptional venue for kids' birthday parties, with glowing reviews highlighting the owners' professionalism, creativity, and warmth. The space is described as clean, well-organized, and perfect for art-themed or glow parties, with engaging activities like painting, gaming, and dance parties. Owners Mai and Joe receive universal acclaim for their patience, attentiveness, and ability to keep kids entertained. Convenient amenities like nearby pizza places and customizable party options add to the seamless experience. Guests frequently mention it as the "best birthday ever," with many vowing to return or recommend it highly. The only minor note is a single 4-star review, still praising the facilitators. Overall, Pixels delivers memorable, stress-free celebrations.

About This Listing

Has Consoles
Good for kids
Has Virtual Reality
Wheelchair Accessible

Who Can Play?

Most arcades welcome all ages (some may have age restrictions for certain games)
Minors may need parent/guardian supervision (policies vary by location)
No gaming experience required - games range from beginner to expert level
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended for safety
Valid ID may be required for certain attractions or age verification
Groups and parties welcome (advance booking may be required)

*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*

First-Time Visitors

First-time visitors may need to sign a waiver or register for a game card. Staff are typically available to help explain games and provide tutorials. Some arcades offer newcomer specials or free play sessions to help you get started.

Common Restrictions:

Age-Based Some games may have height or age requirements for safety reasons
Capacity Popular games may have wait times during peak hours

*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*

What to Bring

Cash or card for tokens/credits (some arcades are cashless)
Valid ID for age verification or membership signup
Phone to capture high scores and memories (check photo policies)

*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*

Preparing for Your Visit

Check arcade hours and peak times online before visiting
Eat beforehand or check if the arcade has food options
Bring friends for multiplayer games and competitions
Wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in
Avoid bringing valuable items that could be lost or damaged
Check for special events, tournaments, or discount days
Set a budget for games and stick to it
Stay hydrated, especially during long gaming sessions

*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*

How to Get Started

Most arcades accept walk-ins, but call ahead during busy periods or for large groups. Check for membership deals!

Other Helpful Info

Most visits last 1-3 hours depending on games and group size
Popular games may have longer wait times during weekends and evenings
Many arcades offer unlimited play packages or time-based pricing
Some locations host tournaments and special events regularly
Prize redemption available at many arcades - save your tickets!

*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*

What to Expect from Virtual Reality in Arcades

Step into virtual reality for a breathtaking adventure! Arcade VR stations boast advanced headsets (like Oculus or HTC Vive), motion controllers, and sometimes full-body tracking or treadmills. You’ll dive into games like Beat Saber or VR shooters, swinging, dodging, or aiming in 360-degree worlds with vivid visuals and immersive sound. Gameplay spans solo quests to multiplayer battles, with intuitive controls for all levels. Arcades offer vibrant, social VR zones, delivering a thrilling, cutting-edge experience in 2025.

Features

Has Consoles
Good for kids
Has Virtual Reality
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

2951 Monterey Hwy STE 40

San Jose, California 95111

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Thursday Closed
Friday Closed
Saturday 10AM-6PM
Sunday 10AM-6PM

Customer Reviews

My daughter said this was the best birthday ever! This is an amazing venue for a fun and creative birthday. From beginning to end the owners are so professional, accommodating, and welcoming. I had a change in guest list and requested last min items and it was no problem for them. The painting session was amazing, she even had a microphone and taught the kids so well. The game room was even better. My son can't stop talking about it. Don't think twice booking this place. You love it and have a great party!

We just had my son's 7th birthday party at Pixel. All in all, we had a great experience. Mai and Joe are amazing. very attentive, kind and patient with the kids. The kids absolutely had a blast. We had the glow bar and the pop corn and face painting added to our party which made it so much more fun and also were able to add an extra half an hour to it. The kids were busy and entertained the whole time in the 2 1/2 hour that we spent there. Having a pizza place and a diner next door makes things so much mor

Mai and Joe truly went above and beyond to make our baby shower a special occasion! Booking was easy and they were very responsive in our email interactions. Pixels is a great venue for a fun party for families, kids, and adults. We were able to bring our own food and drinks, and even put some items in their kitchenette fridge to keep fresh for our guests. They were very attentive and actively helped us put up our decorations; including our big balloon garland for the photo area. That was tricky to put up,

We had our daughters 8th Birthday here and we picked Sanrio - Cinnamaroll theme for painting! Pixels took care of the goody bags as well which were super adorbs! It had cute and different candy/toys ? not usual dollar tree type. The place is neat and clean & super cute esthetic wise. The coordinator was very interactive, she was helping the kids throughout the event. The coordinator also helped one of the kids who had ruined their painting, she helped her fix it. The coordinator also got all the kids togeth

We recently celebrated our daughter's 7th birthday with a paint party and the kids absolutely loved it! My daughter claims it was the best birthday she's ever had or been at. Mai and Joe were super responsive and kept the kids engaged so well. I'd absolutely recommend Pixels to anyone who's planning to throw a party (of any kind!).

We celebrated our daughter?s seventh birthday at Pixels in San Jose, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience! The venue is owned by a wonderful husband-and-wife duo who are both teachers, and their passion for working with kids truly shines through. Their interactions with both the children and adults were phenomenal?they made everyone feel welcome and engaged throughout the event. From start to finish, the experience was seamless. The space was fun, well-organized, and perfect for a birthday party.

We had the most wonderful 8th birthday party for my son today, and I'm still buzzing from how amazing it was! Mai and Joe went above and beyond, making everything from the booking to the decorations so easy and special. The venue was beautiful and spotless, and the kids (and adults!) had an absolute blast.The pizza place next door is super convenient and the pizza is delicious!! It was a truly memorable celebration, and I can't recommend this place enough.

We celebrated our daughter's birthday with a Glow-in-the-dark paint party. Booking it was a breeze and we just had to bring the cake and drinks. The venue is beautifully decorated and Instagram perfect. Mai is a 5th grade teacher and knows how to interact with kids. She provided the paint instructions, managed to face paint 12 kids and started the dance party with us in just 2 hours! Her husband supported her and both helped things run smoothly without ever feeling rushed. There was enough space for all par

Hosted my daughter's birthday party here and the experience was great from beginning to end. It was very easy to book and the staff was quickly responsive to email communication. What I especially liked about the venue is that it was spacious enough for a party unlike other painting studios. They provided a table area for our food set up. They also had kid-appropriate party music and have party banners. The kids really enjoyed the canvas painting and the party host Mai did a great job guiding the kids step

This is a great place for parties. My kid has been to two paint parties and it did not disappoint. The owners did custom, age appropriate lesson plans for the kids. All the kids seemed to love their time there and didn't want to leave. It was also super nice for the kids to play in the gaming room during their breaks instead of waiting around for the party to end after they were done painting early. It gave the parents a chance to get together without having to clean up their houses beforehand.

We had our daughter's 10th birthday party at Pixels and it was fantastic! The owners are so good at throwing a great party and keeping the kids entertained and hyped. We chose to do a painting and gaming party. For the painting, they were so patient and helped the kids if they didn't feel like they liked what they were able to do. Every kid left with an adorable (and completed!) painting. I'd definitely fully recommend using them for a simple, one-stop shop for a kid's birthday!

I recently had Pixels host my child's birthday party and I could not be happier with the results. From start to finish, they were incredibly professional and made sure everything went smoothly. They were fantastic, amazing people and kept the kids engaged throughout the entire event!The activities were well planned and executed, and everyone left with big smiles on their faces. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to throw an unforgettable birthday party for their child. They even host adult parties,

We attended a party here and I can't tell you what a blast our whole party of all ages had! Mai and Joe were above and beyond with every single detail in this place. From the start of the event to the final moments the both of them were very involved. Mai with the paint lessons, then dance party, and Joe to assist her and then surprised the kids with cotton candy. The game room was so fun for the teens/boys or kids that didn't want to paint. There was so much room for the other guest out our party just to

We celebrated our daughter's birthday in Pixels. We loved the whole experience. We booked the Glow in the dark party. Joe and Mai were extremely responsive and prompt in answering all our questions. On the day of the party, the place was completely set up and organized. We were able to bring our own food and drinks, and leave the cake in their refrigerator. Mai was extremely patient and helping the kids out with all their paintings. Joe and Mai also had a special painting for the birthday girl with contribu

We really had a pleasant experience on daughter?s birthday party..! Very well organized, planned and timed events? Organizers were helping out for serving and cleaning up which was really helpful..! Nice studio with bright colorful decoration perfect for art theme parties..! Loved it and would surely recommend.

My wife and I recently hosted our daughter?s 10th birthday party here, and it was an unforgettable experience! The venue provided the perfect setup for a glow party theme, which the kids absolutely adored. A special shoutout to Mai and Joe for their exceptional management of the party. They were particularly fantastic at guiding the children in a drawing and painting activity, making the event both fun and creatively stimulating. We were delighted with how everything turned out, and it's clear that this pla

Pixel party venue provided a wonderful experience for my daughter's birthday party. The clean and inviting atmosphere made it a joy to host an event there. The creative environment allowed the kids to explore their artistics side, and overall service was top-notch.A fantastic choice for memorable celebrations! Thank you Mai & Joe!

A fabulous and fun party for my granddaughter's tenth birthday party. It was so organized and everything went so well. The kiddos had a blast! There was never a dull moment as each activity flowed. The ceramics were well received and came out amazing! The video game area was such fun, they all enjoyed. It was a fun and memorable party celebration...and that was the reaction of all the kiddos!! In the words of my granddaughter, it was amazing and super fun!!

Had my daughters birthday party at Pixels and it was such an amazing experience! We were so happy working with Joe and Mai. They were so helpful during planning and amazing day of to work with! Wouldn't hesitate to use Pixels again for another event and recommend it to everyone!

Review on a rainy weekend March 2023: - my 6 yr old loves to paint and we were visiting SJ - Pixels is only open (for now) on weekends - Mai and Joe accommodated our daughter walk in, while they ran another painting party. We felt they gave everyone individual attention? - you can pick to paint different shaped pottery, stenciled canvas (there's a picture printed on the canvas already), or even do freehand painting. - loved the idea of painted pottery as they can blow dry and then take home right away. Othe

After I celebrated my kids birthday here, all my friends?s kids wanted to celebrate birthday here. Highly recommend.

Wonderful experience booking our event with Pixels! It was a new and creative experience in the south bay that our daughter and her friends enjoyed.

My son has been there a couple of times and always had a great time. The staff is very friendly and caring. The video games are fun and kids can get creative with painting. I highly recommend this place.

Highly recommended for birthday parties!

Great place for kids party. They have facilitators who can help lead kids

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like visiting an arcade today?

It’s a mix of nostalgia and high-energy fun! Many arcades blend retro classics like Pac-Man and pinball with modern VR games, racing simulators, and rhythm challenges — often with music, lights, and a social vibe.

Is it better to go alone or with friends?

Both can be great! Solo visits let you focus on your favorite games, while going with friends adds competition, teamwork, and laughs. Many people plan arcade meetups as a casual hangout or even date spot.

What should I bring to an arcade?

Usually just yourself and a way to pay (some arcades still use coins, others use cards or apps). If you're competitive, bring your A-game. If you're social, bring friends or meet new ones over multiplayer games.

What’s the best time to visit an arcade?

Weekdays or early afternoons are usually less crowded — perfect for focused play. Evenings and weekends bring the buzz, especially at barcades or venues with DJs, tournaments, or themed nights.

Can I meet new people at arcades?

Absolutely! Arcades attract a mix of casual players and serious gamers. Whether you're jumping into a four-player co-op or chatting between rounds, it's a fun, low-pressure way to connect over shared interests.

Are arcades still just for kids?

Not at all. While many arcades are family-friendly, there are also adult-oriented ones with full bars, 18+ nights, or vintage nostalgia themes. Arcades today cater to everyone — from first-timers to lifelong gamers.

Are there events or tournaments I can join?

Yes! Many arcades host regular competitions, retro nights, cosplay parties, and more. Whether you're into high scores or just want to watch and vibe, events add an extra layer to the experience.

What if I’m not great at arcade games?

No worries — arcades are about having fun, not being perfect. Try a variety of games, ask others for tips, and remember: the vibe is more “let’s play” than “let’s win.”

Are virtual reality games in arcades worth playing?

Yes, virtual reality (VR) games in arcades are a top attraction in 2025! Titles like Beat Saber and Half-Life: Alyx deliver immersive thrills with cutting-edge headsets, motion tracking, and responsive controllers. High-resolution displays and spatial audio create heart-pounding experiences, from slashing rhythms to battling zombies. Arcades feature multiplayer VR zones and tournaments, fostering lively communities. VR booths are regularly packed, proving their captivating, next-level gameplay makes them a must-try arcade experience.