Sticks and Cones

Sticks and Cones

Reviews Summary

Sticks and Cones is highly praised for its delicious, creative ice cream with diverse options including vegan and gluten-free choices. The fun, retro arcade games and friendly atmosphere enhance the experience. While most reviews highlight excellent service and unique treats, a few mention high prices or minor service hiccups. The arcade, board games, and family-friendly vibe make it a standout spot, though some find it pricey. Overall, it's a beloved local gem with consistently great flavors and a welcoming environment.

About This Listing

Has Retro Games
Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
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 Retro Games in Arcades

Step into the glow of retro arcade games and expect a nostalgic rush! Classics like Galaga, Donkey Kong, or Mortal Kombat await, housed in vibrant cabinets with joysticks, buttons, or trackballs. You’ll dodge enemies, chase high scores, or battle opponents in fast-paced, pixel-perfect gameplay. Modern restorations include sharp CRT or LED screens and authentic controls, preserving the 80s/90s vibe. Games are easy to learn but tough to master, offering quick sessions or deep challenges. With leaderboards and arcade crowds cheering, retro games deliver timeless fun in 2025.

Features

Has Retro Games
Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

308 Madison St

Oak Park, Illinois 60302

Hours

Monday 1-9:30PM
Tuesday 1-9:30PM
Wednesday 1-9:30PM
Thursday 1-9:30PM
Friday 1-10PM
Saturday 1-10PM
Sunday 1-9:30PM

Customer Reviews

This was such a nice outing. The ice cream was scrumptious the scoops were extra generous. All cookies and brownies are baked in house I highly recommend the ice cream with brownie. The atmosphere was comfortable and I loved the video game theme and the game boards that are available. It to me back. And the Playlist was on point!!! The staff was friendly and everything was clean. The worker was washing her hands in between serving customers and was super friendly. I will definitely be returning to try more

We came to entertain our six year old boys with the retro arcade games. But the ice cream completely blew me away! They have multiple cool flavors in the case of hard scoop (including multiple fun dairy free options), plus a rotating pair of soft serve flavors. Incredible looking ice cream parfaits and creative mix ins. It's perfect regardless of whether you're a foodie, a vegan, or a six year old.

Lots of great flavors. We tryed Oatmeal chocolate chip cookie and cookie dough. Both very good. Staff was attentive and friendly. Highly recommend!

I've gone to Sticks and Cones once before and it was really good. The flavors are definite and not bland. Then I went today and got Zanzibar Chocolate. Chocolate is my favorite ice cream and the Zanzibar Chocolate is really good. I will definitely come again!

The hard-packed ice cream served is from The Chocolate Shoppe out of Madison, WI and it is absolutely delicious and the only place in Oak Park to try this amazing ice cream. The flavors change often. 2 small scoops was $13+ so it is a treat for sure.????

Told the nice lady it was my First time visiting today with my grand daughter. Went for a quick ice cream run so we didnt get to experience the whole place. Nice friendly staff. The only problem I had was was that the prices were a little too high. One cone, one scoop, chocolate dipped with sprinkles and one waffle bowl dipped in chocolate with two scoops was $20! Unbelievable! Told the lady I didn't want the waffle cone, she told me she couldn't take it back. Don't know if she was trying to make me pay for

My daughter wanted to try bubble teas so I googled oakpark places and ran across this cute little spot. It has an entire back room of small little arcade games that are free of charge. There a little reading corner and lots of games to play as well. I had a hard time drinking my mocha frappe because it wasn't blended as well, and the straws break easily. I went through 3 straws and finally got frustrated and threw it away. and she got a 4 stars cause there's not a lot of options for food. Hotdogs and na

i got a lychee milk tea with boba, super yummy! ?? i wanted to try some dessert and was so excited to try their mango carrot Italian ice ???? carrots are my very favorite and the Italian ice was delicious oink oink ????

The best service and best vegan ice cream I've ever had. My daughter isn't vegan and loved the dairy ice cream. The young lady that served us was sooooo sweet.

We love visiting this ice cream spot every time we're in Oak Park. Great tasting ice cream and wonderful service. It's open late too for night owls.

Really cute place with fun 80s music and decor (much appreciated since I was born in the early 80s). Tried their new caramel apple cider donut sundae and WOW! ice cream quality and flavor is SO good! Wish I had more room to try all their menu items. Will definitely be back to try other things and play arcade games

Today I had an Oatmilk ice cream root beer float. It was amazing. In the past I have had fruit tea with boba balls, shaved ice. There are always fun unique treats. There are arcade games and board games. It is a fun atmosphere.

Cute, fun theme with free arcade games! Had the fall special Carmel apple cider sundae - who would think to combine a sundae and donut?!? It was delicious and creative! Some great flavors to try. Can't wait to come back to try some other new things?? Friendly staff.

My husband raved about the ice cream here, so I had to try it. It was a cute ice cream shop. There was so many choices that it was hard to choose. I got the banana pudding parfait. It was delicious. My husband got the peanut butter parfait which was awesome. As we waited for our treats, my husband took me to the small arcade in the back. It was so unexpected, but I enjoyed the retro games. I said this would be a nice treat for my nieces; so we will be back soon

Stopped by Sticks and Cones in Oak Park with the family and it was an absolute hit! Not only did the variety of flavors have something for everyone, making each scoop a creamy delight, but the staff was incredibly friendly, adding to the warm, welcoming vibe of the place. What really set it apart was the room with free arcade games for the kids, turning our ice cream stop into an unforgettable experience. It's not just ice cream?it's a destination. A perfect 5-star treat for anyone looking to satisfy their

My husband and I were so impressed to find this local dessert shop in our neighbourhood. Whoever scooped our ice cream yesterday evening (5/29) was an absolutely gem! He offered enthusiastic service and happily provided samples, and we wish we had gotten his name for this review. Keep it up! And the cherry on top: very reasonably priced.

Great ice cream with gluten free (gf cone and Oreo toppings) and dairy free options. Loved the arcade games too. Can't wait to go back and try the other options like coffee, refreshers, and bubble tea!

Very nice place,Cool 80's Pac-Man theme. The stuff we purchased was very good. Only thing I would change as a business owner are the menus(items). There were too many signs and options and not enough clarity on options, etc.

I walked in & I was greeted by a girl with a smile. She asked me how my day was & it wasn't going good so I was glad that she asked. I looked at 3 flavors & she explained how they tasted & let me try them as well. I was elated from the service as well as the flavors. I got a brownie bottom. 10/10. I asked her her name is said it was Raquel I think? Overall great service

Premium ice cream, so a little pricey but worth it. You only live once. Small video game room ( hense joySticks) where I impressed with my ms packman and frogger skills...nope. I didn't get the malt I wanted because it was my first time there, so I didn't want to shell out and be disappointed. The scoop i had was lovely (butter peacan), so I next time I'll splurge.

What a great place to get ice cream! I loved the "sticks and cones" flavor and love that this is a family owned business!

What a fun spot! Staff was super friendly. Ice cream was great. I loved the dairy and gluten free options. The arcade games were a huge hit with my toddler! Also- the color changing spoons were amazing(toddler magic).

Went to sticks and cones with some friends I got a single scoop of cotton candy in a cup with sprinkles on top. It was $8.24 for what it took 30 minutes for the lady to scoop out ice cream my only good takeaway from this is that there is pack man. Please make yourself happy and go to hole in the wall instead

Took the family on a very hot afternoon. My wife and daughter went with a very chocolately ice cream and enjoyed it so much they went for seconds. I had some watermelon and raspberry lemonade sorbet which was perfect on a hot day. Cool atmosphere and friendly staff. We'll definitely be back to try more!

What's not to love? Fun, 80s arcade nods in the decor, a comfy vibe where you can settle in with a board game or enjoy a mini arcade, and a fun, fun menu of treats. My kids immediately asked to go back after our first trip.

Theo customer service was amazing. They were not rude at all. They had smiles on their faces, and the Boba is just amazing

We loved this place! The ice cream is tasty and has fun names. There are some toppings to choose from, frozen yoghurt, and more. We love the idea to add games like Pac Man and have them be for free! This is a really cool!

I ordered off Uber eats and ommmmmg so good! The cheesecake sundae was so good and the milkshake was smooth and creamy. Will definitely be ordering again.

There is a $5 buck, two scoop minimum. Although the ice cream was very tasty the scoop was super small and not worth the expense. Try to be a little more. generous than the ounce and a half per scoop you offer. Money is right for a lot of people these days.

Great atmosphere wonderful service amazing place to chill with your family, friends, and even more your children if you have any. The arcade games are free and the selection of products are pristine .

It was my first time here and it's fantastic. Amazing ice cream, great atmosphere, and classic arcade and board games. Definitely brining the family back here!

Friendly staff, great selections! And open year round so far which sometimes you just need.

So beautiful in inside so much fun for families and friends well worth the money

Perfect ice cream spot in oak park! A variety of options including gluten free cones and vegan ice cream.

Went to the crc with a friend, my friend said this local place was really good, we went and it was a small nice place with good ice cream and vibes the owner was very nice, and advice the sticks and stones ice cream with m&ms and normal oreos is the bomb

Place is amazing Best ice cream I've had~<the ultimate oreo

Their no sugar added cashews and caramel is the best I get it with a waffle bowl and some hot caramel!

It's a cute idea but it felt like the staff were slowly figuring it out on the fly and charging Navy Pier prices. It's Madison Street in Oak Park, please relax

very cute place yummy ice cream, gracie and james are very friendly and accommodating to customers !

Truly going to be a gem of an addition to Oak Park! Phenomenal service, ice cream and all around experience!

Get the premium malt!! Didn't know I've been drinking low end malts my whole life!!

Delicious ice cream, and a wonderful addition to the Madison St. corridor!

Very solid ice cream and fun place! Hope they stick around!

Delicious ice cream. Small game space.

It was okay. Not in a hurry to go back.

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 retro games in arcades still good in this modern age?

Absolutely, retro games in arcades remain a thrilling draw in 2025! Classics like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Street Fighter II offer simple yet addictive gameplay, blending nostalgia with timeless challenge. Modern arcade cabinets often feature crisp displays and restored controls, enhancing the experience. These games thrive on quick reflexes and strategy, with vibrant pixel art and iconic soundtracks that spark joy. Arcades host tournaments and leaderboards, fostering a lively community. While modern games dominate, retro titles provide a unique, accessible thrill that keeps arcades buzzing.