*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*
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.
*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*
*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*
*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*
*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*
820 S Clinton Ave
Rochester, New York 14620
This is a great place to go after a day at the Strong Museum. They seem to take their arcade seriously and have a great bar. The burger joint has a dedicated gluten free fryer, which meant my partner with celiac could get fried food stress free. I can't recommend this place enough.
The food was good not my vibe in the evening. But if i came earlier I probably like it better.
This is one of our favorite places to go on the weekend. Great bar selection with craft cocktails and pinball tables that regularly rotate out. The bartenders are friendly as well. The downside is that so many kids are coming here. And they do stupid stuff like in my pic.
The cheeseburger was surprisingly good! Tater tots and Cajun fries are just special. At times, not enough bartenders for the demand, but great draft selection. If they had Area 51 or Time Crisis, it would?ve been 5 stars for me.
Swillburger is a really cool place to visit for great food and a cool environment. My husband and I stopped in for lunch after visiting the Strong Museum of Play and this restaurant totally matched the theme! They converted an old church into a great hangout with a nice bar area, tons of arcade games, and a cool second floor overlooking the first floor. The food was also really good and reasonably priced. It is a quick service restaurant where you order at the counter and receive your food within about 10 m
What a cool joint. It is unique in the elements that were combined to make up this place - definitely making it at least worth a try. The burger didn't look great but it made up in taste. The only thing was the lady at the register; she wasn't too friendly & rushed the process, in which I just skipped getting a drink since she seemed annoyed & already got the order total before being ask for it. Also, it would be great if they had better parking.
Playhouse unironically has some of the best, freshest food in Rochester. Their fryer oil is changed regularly, their ingredients are top notch, and prices are more than fair.
You don't necessarily come here for the food but the atmosphere and service at the bar are awesome. Drinks at the bar are awesome and the bartenders were super nice! I was driving so I didn't have any drinks and they were nice enough to give me a Shirley temple to go! Awesome place awesome vibes would recommend.
Took a little road trip from Niagara Falls to have brunch at thr Silo Brunch Bar and decided to check this place out before we went back home. Cool bar for sure. I just wish that the games were better maintained. Of the 3 games i played, 2 of them didnt function properly. The joysticks only work left and right and my character wouldnt jump. Other than that, its a cool idea and fun place to have some beers at. We didnt eat as we were still full but my friend who recommended this place said they have Great bu
Great food! Vegan options! American fair within an old church with so many arcade games!!! Pinball, skiiball, old-school arcade video games, shooter games, etc. (See photos) The person at the register (I forgot to ask her name!!!) -she was amazing! Super knowledgeable, TOTALLY understands food allergy requests, explained that they use different dryers and griddles for vegan food! Also, my daughter is super allergic to dairy (she has an epi pen for it) was able to enjoy a creamy vegan Oreo shake for the fir
Burgers were delicious and flavourful and staff always friendly and inviting, especially the line cook with the beard and funky glasses. Love the retro space with the high vaulted ceilings and arcade games. Lots of space to lounge and even some hidden games and a gender neutral washroom in the back! A real gem in Rochester!!
Nice flavorful chicken sandwich, tasty tots, and some meat hot sauce? Yes, please. Also, so many amazing games: pinball, arcade, driving, etc. lunchtime perfection. If you go a little later, they have a super nice bar too :)
This is a great place for groups, families, couples, and gamers to have fun and get excellent food. The menu is 'classic American' - burgers, fish, fries, vegan - with a variety of sauces and add-ons. The bar is huge. But the fun is the wide variety of arcade games to play. Your favorite arcade game is there somewhere. Enjoy!
Great vegan burgers with friendly staff. Eating and then mashing on pinball for a bit is a fun diversion. The tots are good too.
Great experience with at Swillburger. Went on a Thursday evening and got a burger with the works, Cajun fries and the blueberry sour. The food was great, their smash burgers are classic and exactly what you expect from a smash style patty. The Cajun fries seasoned and fried well and paired with their house made ketchup was tasty. Played some arcade games and an employee helped out when the skeeball machine ate our tokens. Lovely place.
Awesome! My kids and I love this place. The vegan burgers were delicious and so were the fries and deep fried cauliflower. Awesome food and environment. The people that work here are amazing as well and went the extra mile to make sure my family and I enjoyed ourselves. Great food and cool games. This place is definitely a good night.
The burgers are awesome. Love the homemade ketchup. Tons of video games, some of the newer ones too. The bar is neat and has a great selection.
The burgers were great, prices were reasonable, and there was a good array of games to choose from. They could use more sand on the shuffleboard table, and some of the controllers (like the gun on the buck hunting game) are broken, but it was a good time regardless.
Overall I think this is a good spot to hang out for the locals. They serve drinks and have arcade games. The games are expensive some costing more than $1 to play. Simple menu but the burgers and fries were very good. Street parking only. Not worth traveling to visit in my opinion.
Swillburger used to be this hip video game themed bar that had retro arcade games at a reasonable price. After a few years, the food is still just as good, but the arcade games felt like more of a scam than Dave and busters (which is absurd). Old games were removed and replaced with higher priced newer ?better? games. The drink I ordered during happy hour was not discounted as such? Multiple games ate our tokens, including multiple dollars for ski-ball. Just crazy that things get worse for no reason other t
If you are a gamer and you like burgers, this is the place for you! The food here is really good and the staff is really friendly. They sell mainly burgers, tater tots, and milkshakes. Food doesn't take too long to prepare, and there is plenty of seating. On the gaming side however, they have arcade games (classic and new, but mainly classic), skee ball, pinball, and much more! They even have a display of classic gaming consoles such as the Atari 2600 and Virtual Boy.
Okay, this place is kewl!! Grown-ups, there's a bar. Children should be able to find something to do as there are plenty of Arcade games for all to play. Nice location in the city.
A great trip down the arcade memory lane for those from the 80s/90s and earlier. A good history lesson for younger gamers. Donkey Kong, Pong, Simpsons, TMNT, etc. The food was alright - I had a burger. I have had better, so I disagree with their sign claiming ?best burger in town.? Its a good place to have a casual drink (or a milkshake) and conversation. Have a small room in the back for a private party - I would say about 20-30 people would fit comfortably.
I have celiac disease & had been searching the area for new gluten free restaurants to try out. I came across swillburger and while the menu seemed limited, I was thrilled to see they could make anything on it gluten free, and they had arcade games! Plus the prices?!?! Especially for gluten free?! Beyond insane. When I got there, I started my to explain that I have celiac and was quickly reassured by the owner that I'd be in good hands, that she herself is gluten free for other reasons but understands the c
Always a pleasure going to swill! The food is reasonably priced, and pretty good! I got the poutine last time I went, and it was amazing. The bartenders are always really cool and friendly. And the games are a classic. Can't go wrong with swill.
Only came here for drinks and to check out the games with my brother-in-law ; it is a really nice space that wasn't too crowded and had lots of games to pick from (granted we came on the early side---around 7pm)
I held an event here 2 weeks ago, great staff alone with a private room for my guest. They have a nice package where everyone got free tokens, any burger they serve, with a side and a drink. Nice selection of vantage arcade games and pinball machines. Bar staff make good drinks, parking is across the street on wherever you got luck. It's a place for kids as well, BURGERS ARE AWESOME
The ultimate hang out spot in downtown Rochester, in my opinion! Love all the food options, including the tater tots of course! There are so many games to enjoy and it's perfect place to go with friends after a long day!
Such a great place to get together with friends. Delicious food, fun games. I would recommend more for an adult hang out rather than kids.
Well not everyone else would like games but it's a good expericence for new beginners who wants to try something new..but as for me .I love games its a blast from the past for me.it's a great way to relive your childhood and bond with family and friends. There's a bar , food. Its kids friendly but after midnight they cant enter. It's a pricey $$.but there is a fun fact about this place it use to be a church so how cool is that to explore and it hard to find parking.
Overall great place to spend a night out. For Swillburger, I got a standard beef hamburger, and while the burger was good, it was nothing special. I should have gotten sauce on my burger and that's on me, the patty was a little over cooked for my liking. Fries were good though! I will say, I did appreciate the alternative options when it came to providing veggie patties, vegan cheese, and even a vegan milkshake, so for those looking for those options at a burger joint, this could be a great option! The P
Fun place for all ages! Full bar, lots of games, lots of pinball, small menu but burgers and fries are great. Def coming back
Their fries are some of the top in Rochester, they're so good! They're shoestring fries seasoned with a great flavor combo, and easily should compete for the spot of #1 french fries in the city. Also they can make almost everything completely vegan so thank you! They serve a veggie burger that's very beet heavy but the flavors used in the patty are delicious. It'll fall apart when you eat it because, well I always put a lot of toppings on it, but that's great because you get to eat everything that's fallen
Cool venue with old games from my childhood. The bar is reasonable prices and the food is excellent. It's great for kids and adults looking for a fun date.
Excellent burgers, fun games, a wide variety of drinks, even NA. Hot bartenders too! Very loud inside though.
This is one of those places I've seen online that I'd always wanted to visit. Unfortunately when we walked in, the vibe wasn't for us. It is way too loud, and I was way too much commotion to have a relaxing meal with someone. Might be someplace to bring the kids.
Place is pretty Fun no matter who ya bring along. Good food, decent drinks, and old to new games to entertain every age! Only downfall is the parking everytime. But what can you do.
Swillburger was amazing! The Double Cheeseburger was amazing and the (Vampire) Tots are so good ?? Also had a wonderful time playing the arcade at The Playhouse, $20 goes a long way!
I've been coming here for years and apparently never left a review. Barcade with a great atmosphere, friendly staff, good service. Excellent cocktails. Food has consistently been great over the years. They are ESPECIALLY great about having vegan options; back in the day they were the only place you could get a vegan milkshake, and I always appreciate a good veggie burger! I love getting the rotating specials, they're always fantastic. My singular complaint is that they recently changed burger buns and the
So much fun! Kids had a blast. Good is great and is made quick. Drinks are also very good.
Nice social atmosphere, lighting, games, and selection of beverages. Food is separate from full wet bar, so you can order and move around and come back when you're buzzed. Delicious burgers: worth a try.
Had a good time bartenders were fun and helpful food is great. Games were a blast too. It's a good time out.
Love this place! Exactly what I'd want out of a barcade. Great games and drinks, and finally had one of their burgers this time and it was way good
If you love historic places and arcade video games this is your place. Sure it's the weirdest combination. But its also awesome! Bartenders are always on point. And they are extremely helpful. There is never a wait to buy a drink, yet the place is always packed. I'm so glad to have this place in the South wedge, because iy is another example of a how downtown Rochester has come to alive again!?? This is a business that will succeed! Side note: It looks like a church from the outside but it's a bar. An awe
Love the selection of games that they have, especially all the versions of pinball. The food is also very enjoyable and the service is incredibly fast even when they're busy
Very cool spot. We stopped at the recommendation of a friend. Had fun playing a few pinball machines while we were there.
Plenty of fun games, food a tad overpriced but good. Liked that one of the arcade games dispenses trading cards. Didn't expect that! My nephew loved that!
Amazing gluten-free options! The fried chicken is gluten-free and they also have gluten-free buns (not sold at an exorbitant extra cost). Thank you to the server who recommended the fried chicken sandwich to me while taking my order! Note for folks who don't like loud/overstimulating places: I'd recommend takeout because it can be a very loud and packed place.
Love the different games offered from Tetris, pinball, and ski ball. Fast and friendly service and affordable for a different type of night out!
Staff are friendly, great game selections, beautiful art. Food was AMAZING (though expensive). Will be back with more friends. Great birthday idea.
I love the fact that they have vegan options and gluten-free buns. I think their french fries and their milkshakes are one of the best in the city. The games are fun. After 10 pm they are checking your ID.
It's pretty loud but fun place to be! Great place to start for bar hopping.
Can be busy on certain nights, and parking might be tough then, but it's a great hang out place. Bring money to play!
Great place to hang out and play some of the more hands-on retro games. A ton of fun old games to play with friends. I got to show my daughter some of the games I grew up playing, which was special. I go here once a year as a large gathering for my career as a work gathering, works well with large parties. Food is sandwiches and fries, which are good, standard drinks at a bar. Can get loud when the place is packed.
Amazing gluten free burger and dairy free shake. Fresh, quick, easy, and delicious!
It's a special place ;-) In a former church you will find a weird mixture from a good cocktail bar with a decent spirit selection, craft beers, loud music, self service food and gaming. Is it a club, a bar or a pub? I enjoyed it!
So Swillbur is an interesting place. It's a burger place/ bar/ arcade. You can get a grass fed burger and all food is locally sourced. That's a major plus. On street parking only and very uncomfortable seating is why I give this place 3 stars. Games include old school arcade ,lots of pinball machines and some new games. It's warm and loud. There were more adults than kids. No kids after 10:00pm. The building was once a church. For me this was a one and done. My husband and son will likely go back.
Nothing special about the food. It pretty simple stuff . Cheese burger ,burger, chicken, grill cheese, french fries and tater. What pretty is cool is the games they have there. Had a good time playing during day. May have to see how it is after 9pm
Love the atmosphere. This place is perfect as a family outing, I saw quite a few with one parent being able to relax with a drink while the other was playing one of the many traditional arcade games with the kids. It's also great for a first date, happened to peak and saw a date; not certain if it was a first but they seemed to be enjoying themselves. My husband and I were actually impressed with their beer choices. Great for the kids and the young at heart.
I have yet to try the food, but the atmosphere there is super cool! It is very nostalgic for the older crowd, and the drink selection goes right with it! The theme all around just makes it an enjoyable place to go with a friend or a group! Definitely recommend checking them out!
And interesting restaurant/arcade/bar. The burgers and they fire fries are good but not the best. The ambience is a bit loud and the acoustic is such that it is difficult to have conversations. But hey, why talk when you can just play retro games? It is definitely a unique place in Rochester and worth checking out.
Good burgers and sides. Vege options. Fun place to let kids run around and play during the day and adults to run around and play at night
Very fun place. Loads of games in a fun layout plenty of places to sit and eat and drink. Good for kids or adults. Most games reasonably priced.
Burgers are soooo good & my drink was even better. Cute little gem to head to for a good time. Definitely one of my new go to?s!
First time here and this place is awesome! Food was excellent; cheeseburgers and fries were super tasty. Tried the Princess Peach drink - it was really good! Bartender and employees were fantastic! There are a ton of arcade games to play ; nice selection of old and new games. Prices are fair!
The bartender made me this drink that had beet juice in it. It was delicious. I'm a newly vegetarian so it didn't feel like there was mas many options for me but they do have veggie burgers. They also have a ton of arcade games which makes for a fun date if you're into that kind of thing...I am so I enjoyed it.
Love this place. The games were retro and new the burgers are one of a kind and the bar staff is great. Good night out with the family or just the adults that want to have a little fun.
Swillburger is a must visit Rochester spot. Great burgers, super fun cocktails and just classic arcade games.
The double burger was great. If you order online make sure you select cheese if you want it on the burger.
Great food, awesome games, and a unique atmosphere. I can't wait to go back!
We ordered chicken burger hamburger and veggie burgers. All the three tasted really good and were good portion size. Patty had smoky flavor freshly made and the pickles were tasty and crunchy with awesome spicy jam dip. One of the better places to try burgers in NY state.
The best. Good burgers with all the options and an amazing arcade. Didn't try the drinks, but they seem fun --- video game themed. The space is surprisingly clean and open. It's a bar but also suitable for kids. I took mine there. They loved it.
Great food, great beers, it's pretty loud, maybe turn the music down. The video game variety is great, there just older and some don't work the best. It's a great spot for happy hour or a late night snack
Fun environment! Love the games! Bartender and drinks are top notch ??
Burgers are excellent. Hard to get better... Juicy, flavorful, seasoned perfectly. Recommend the shakes as well. Worth to come just for the food.
Stopped on our way to Demon Acres for a burger. Serves Impossible, and I was surprised to see that they offer a vegan milkshake! "Vampire" garlic fries to die for. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our burgers and fries before heading to the haunt. Great spot! ??
Good food and vintage arcade games. What else could you want. Fun place to hang out day or night. Good micro brew selection as well. If you can't have fun here you must be dead.
Great place for a burger, gluten free fried chicken sandwich, an adult bevvie, or a game of pinball
Heck yeah Nashville Hot Tofu and Tots! Got to play some Tetris for the first time in forever as well.
Mad fun, great service and food what's even better are the prices!
Super tasty burgers and fries. Brought my son after an afternoon at the Museum of Play. He had a blast and I can see how in the evening it would be a great date night space.
Had one of the best nights I've had in a long time. Great selection of beer, a fantastic place for groups. My sisters and I had a fantastic "reunion" night out here. Will definitely be back.
Absolutely love this place. Family and community friendly with an old school feel. Great place to gather
It's overall a pretty fun place. Food is almost always really good although I recently got an order of the chicken fries and I didn't like them at all...it's the first thing I've had from there that I didn't like. The wait at the bar can be really long, even if it's not busy, and 2 out of the 3 times I've been there recently, there was no water available. There's a cooler for "free" water but it has to be refilled. One time it was never refilled the whole time we were there even though staff was aware that
Great selection of games and drinks. Always have a great time stopping here.
Terrific environment. Lots of options of arcade games and drinks, as well as really good burgers and tots. I got the regular cheeseburger with the works and Tikka Masala tots and they were really good!
Burger was rare and no one mentioned doneness options. If you aren't going to fully cook your food at least warn people
Two stores of games and seating!! Lots of both old and new games: pinball, shooters, sports games, skiball, etc. Games range from $.25 for vintage games up to $1.00 for new games. Burgers are reasonably priced and the fries are awesome! Busy on weekend nights, turns into 21+ after 10pm
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
Yes, pinball tables in arcades remain a blast. Their hands-on, skill-driven gameplay delivers a thrill digital games can’t match, blending nostalgia with modern flair. Newer tables from Stern and Jersey Jack feature LCD screens and themes like Avengers or Stranger Things, keeping things exciting. Arcades are seeing a pinball resurgence with vibrant scenes and tournaments like IFPA events drawing crowds. Though less common than video games, pinball’s tactile charm and community vibe make it a standout arcade experience in 2025.
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.