*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.*
1712 Main St
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Transmission Arcade & Bar in downtown Columbia is the perfect blend of nostalgia and nightlife. Walking in feels like stepping into your childhood?only now, there's a killer cocktail in hand. The walls hum with old-school arcade classics, while the energy is electric with laughter, friendly competition, and great music. What sets this place apart is that it's not just about the games. The food is shockingly good?think comfort food with a creative twist. The smash burger is a must, and the loaded fries are
Transmission has such a fun environment; it's a favorite date night location for me and my partner. They have solid drinks and great food!
Went there for the burger. There dry rub wings were amazing. I never ever eat vegan but my wife ordered the vegan quesadilla. Oh my goodness, it was crazy good.
WINGS and Fries! Absolutely love! We have visited this spot three days straight! We love the vibes! DRINKS are good! Please visit this spot!
Transmission is such a cool place! It's barely noticeable from the outside, but once I stepped inside, I was instantly amazed at how unique and colorful the inside was! The chicken tenders and fries were great, and the drinks were affordable as well. The bartenders were all really cool, and the clientele was very nice and welcoming! I didn't play any of the games this time, but everybody who was looked like they were having a great time! I would highly recommend Transmission, and I will certainly be back
I decided to stop in for a quick bite during lunch. Cool spot. I didn't think to get the pics of the arcade games. But they got plenty of em. Plus, get a drank and they give you a few free coins to play with??I wanted to try somewhat of a sweet cider. So I tried Original Sin's, Black Widow cider. It wasn't really my thing, not sweet enough for me???????But I did hit a sweet spot by trying their smoked wings...parson me. It was their Smokey Loggin's house rub wings. I don't like horse radish. But I went with
This place was a lot of fun and the food was surprisingly excellent. We had so much fun playing the games. A lot of the machines definitely needed some TLC. There were a few that were broken and the air hockey definitely ate our tokens. But we had a really great time and would visit again.
Very nostalgic!!! Food was so good it felt like a sin. The games were dope (needs more). I can see them in a bigger space
Has the BEST smoked wings and pretzel! I showed my parents this place and now they visit me all the time from Myrtle Beach just so they have the smoked wings and pretzel from here!! You can catch us eating here practically once a week!
An awesome spot to have a fun date night. The food and experience was perfect. We will definitely be back to play some fun arcade games and have some good food and drinks!
The retro games take me back, but the food is always deliciously consistent and amazing! The staff seems to also be always consistent and amazing in their own fun and quirky ways. When looking for something outside of the normal night out, we have never been disappointed! Try the drink specials!
The service was unbelievably bad. I was hoping for Southern charm, grace or at least manners. The bartenders to the ?bouncer? were completely rude and lack any communication skills. Arcade sounds awesome, not here!
Can I give more than 5 stars? Best wings ever! Smoked to perfection! Abacus gold sauce, amazing. Fries were awesome. They belong in a cup covered in malt vinegar. The Big Cat Rolls were pretty good, like a BBQ plate in an egg roll, but greens were a little mushy. Joe and Josh were great to talk with and made great suggestions on beer selections. Excellent place and fun games. Please visit and support them, you will not be disappointed!
Food was good, the token machine should have a warning in front of it to spend no more than $2 at a time- due to due number of non-working, token stealing and otherwise broken games. It wasn't this bad 6 months ago and I regret spending every extra dollar I did on tokens. wouldn't get you to an hour of game play.
What a stellar joint. Good drinks. Fun for all ages (till 8) actually working machines and games. We had a blast. Gonna do it again before we skip town to Greer.
Recently visited Transmission with my boyfriend to celebrate New Year's Eve. Tickets were purchased for the special multi-course meal and games were set to Freeplay. The food was absolutely amazing. Each course was beautifully plated and the taste was superb! We enjoyed some friendly competitive pinball and several other games, but the true star of the evening was the meal.
Overall a great experience! Everything was clean and you could tell that everyone was having a good time. Good games with only 1 of them out of commission. Everything was well maintained. Food and drinks were easy to order, but it took about 45 minutes to get the food. I imagine it was due to the number of orders. It was pretty tasty though! Check it out if you get a chance! ??
Service was fast and friendly. John the bartender was very kind and helpful. We loved playing all the games and getting to be big kids while enjoying tasty cocktails ?? ?? we will definetly be back
Transmission Arcade is a great spot for a night out with friends. They have a wide selection of arcade games, lots of beers on tap, friendly staff, and tasty food. If you want an great Philly cheesesteak. Go on Monday for their Philly cheesesteak night. I happened to go one Monday night and was blown away by how delicious it was. Absolutely worth checking out when enjoying an evening in Columbia.
Loved this place. The smoked wings and Bahn Mi Fries are the bomb. Old MTV on the tvs, classic arcade games and a cool vibe. Open late on Sunday just icing on the cake!
Really, really good. Sat at the bar with Melena (hope I'm spelling correctly), who was busy but beyond good!! Ordered the Smoked Wings, horseradish-dill sauce and the Bahn Mi Wrap with "5-spice rib". Both so, so delicious!! Nice beer and bar selections. Definitely would go back again and again. Didn't play any of the cool arcade games, but impressed with the low prices. Most games 25 or 50 cents. It's like a modern day pub where you can bring the whole family, with great food and affordable prices.
It was a good time, the atmosphere is always lovely. I had the mack n cheese w roasted chicken on top... It was good!
Great vibes, friendly atmosphere, food was great and the beer options are never ending. Found my new favorite beer! They even have lots of games to choose from you can take to your table to play. Will definitely be back.
I LOVE IT! Great food, reasonable prices and the arcade games are just the best. Would totally recommend.
The games are fun but often there are at least a couple of pinball machines that are down. The bar is good, basic bar food. It's overall a good time.
Although, they should not allow smoking at the door or patio area. It's disgusting. Please stop, so non smokers and children can avoid walking through a wall of cancer to get in. I love this place so much, and yet I leave angered every time I try and sit outside.... I CAN'T BREATHE!!!!!
I came for the wings. I heard great things about them and they delivered. Solid 8.7. Best smoked wings in Columbia in my opinion. Perfect amount of rub and smoke. Crispy skin and juicy inside. Came out hot. They do not appear to be frozen previously. I had the blue cheese and the Abacus Gold sauces. Blue cheese was thicc like butter and melted on the hot wing. Dank. Perfect combo in my mind. The Abacus Gold was very good as well. Mustard based, vinegary, and has a little kick to it. I think it goes well wit
There were 5 of us customers waiting at the bar. It was a packed house. There were initially 2 bartenders when we walked up. One of them left and didn't return. The other one was at the end of the bar talking to some friends and completely ignoring the waiting customers. One guy asked if he was serving and he stated that he would get to him "but others were ahead of him" and went right back to his convo with the people at the end of the bar. We left after about 10 min of standing there. We usually have pl
I don't venture out much these days due to COVID, but I have to say that Transmission made me feel as safe as a place named transmission could. Staff was very attentive, very into enforcing the mask policy, and I saw them wiping down tables as people left. The beer was great and reasonable, and the games were awesome (and socially distanced!) I'd be by twice a week if there wasn't a pandemic, and as it is I'm discussing renting it out for a few of our families.
So great! The food was delicious (wings & salad) and the games were cheap to play and fun. Loved the monster bash pinball machine and the boomerang air hockey table. Wish we had something like this where I live.
Wow, what a dope place! The bar staff was incredibly cool and friendly. There was a good selection of classic arcade games and pinball machines. I went during happy hour so any drink $5 or more you get some tokens, it was perfect. I played Street Fighter 2 hyper, Samurai Shodown 2, Deadpool pinball, Ironman off-road racing, Gauntlet Dark Legacy. I had the black curry chicken bahnmi wrap. You can't tell from the photo but it was packed with flavor on the inside. Mexican Cake by Westbrook Brewing was on draft
Great space. Great games! The wings, burgers, and fries are incredible! Transmission is close to everything and completely accessible.
Love it here! Food is awesome, drinks are good, vibe is vibing
Cool vibe. Had a beer and a pretzel. An assortment of gaming styles; arcade to ski ball. Will be back when more time.
Cool spot across the street from the courthouse. Medium size bar, good food, get the smoke wings or hangover fries. Arcade games and machines. You get free tokens during happy hour with the purchase of drink over a certain dollar amount.
What a great spot! The wings were amazing as were the drinks!! Love it and will definitely recommend to friends when they go to Columbia!
Best late night food in Columbia. A hidden gem really, full of arcade games with both classics & 90s games. Excellent bar food & affordable prices! Fun date spot on Main Street!
I've been to this place a couple times to drink and play or eat and drink. It was kind of so-so at first to me and the pinball carried it. But the service this one visit was phenomenal. I accidentally spilled my drink and I was pretty embarrassed but the busser, this nice guy with a hat and glasses saw and cleaned it up and not only cleaned it up but asked the bartender to make me a new one. Now don't go spilling your drink to get a free one, but that was beyond excellent service to me so try to go out and
Super cool space with interesting decor and a unique vibe. The banh mi fries, burger, and chicken tikka sandwich were all phenomenal.
It's very fun place. I visited here few weeks ago with my husband. We enjoy drinks and food. We also play some games: ) I want to visit again.
Nice family friendly place with fast service on the food and a bunch of arcade games to play for tokens. Went here with my brother to catch up and loved it.
Best bar in Columbia right now! Amazing food, fun pinball, friendly bartenders, and great atmosphere!
I love a good barcade and this place was fun to visit. We had a great time playing NFL Blitz and some of the pin ball machines. It's a small place but the nostalgia of the arcade games makes it a great place to chill on a Friday night. We didn't get anything to eat but I enjoyed the dark coffee stout I had to drink.
Good food, high-value cocktails for the price, friendly staff. It's an arcade but given the prices for games (tokens) you won't feel like you're running out before you even get into a game. Good for medium-sized groups Update: still great food and lots of fun
I found out about this place after dinner so I didn't try the food but for $12 I had the best date night cap of old school games!
I had a chicken breakfast burrito with a creamy mushroom sauce. I also had their nitro cold brew coffee which was delicious! Great atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating as well as tons of arcade games. Will definitely be going back!
The fried okra is yummy! The wait was a little long but worth it. Friendly bartenders too.
Great vibes with even greater food. Stopped in for dinner last night before going to see a movie at The Nick, hadn't eaten anything all day so I got the Super Smash Burger with all the toppings. It was so absolutely delicious that I went back AFTER the movie and got another one! I did split the second with my husband but still. I will never get another burger anywhere else in Columbia.
Awesome place!!! Went with my girlfriend's one night and had a blast. Came back a couple weeks later with my family. Children are allowed before 8pm. They have the best wings ever!!!! The beer selection is a huge plus for the adults. The games, though, are the best part!!! Very affordable, nostalgic, and fun!!! Can't wait to go back. We love everything about it!
Great place to hang out and catch up with old friends- the smoked wings are sooooo good and I think Meatloaf himself is smiling down on those delicious loaf sliders. Staff is super friendly and great at what they do- 10??
Amazing food! Lots of vegetarian options too. The games were a lot of fun as well. They were doing a great job with Covid precautions and I felt very comfortable there. Thinking about doing a private party sometime in the near future.
This place was great! We had so much fun and it wasn't overly crowded. Some of the machines had issues but we were given free tokens whenever that happened so that was nice
The smoked wings, cheese fries, and smash burger were delicious
This is a GREAT place. Now, I admit, I am a bit spoiled because here in Salem, OR there is a wonderful arcade style bar here that I LOVE (Coin Jam). Both places have a lot in common, the food was great, it was a great atmosphere and was generally a lot of fun. That strange riff on a Paper Plane they make with malort was surprisingly good and the burger. Oh wow, the burger was amazing! Overall this is a FANTASTIC place to go! Highly recommended!!!
Went last night, and the bartender made sure we were taken care of. The man at the door was very nice and welcoming. Didn't get the chance to play any games, we were too focused on the chicken tenders and fries! Gonna have to ask for extra sauce next time. The blue cheese was spicy and something I've never experienced before. Highly recommend, but make sure to get here early before the one in one out is established! It gets packed!
A great find! The food is really good and you can play arcade games while waiting for your food!! When my friends and I went there to eat, they were closed for dine-in due to a private event. Nonetheless, one of the staff greeted us in, singlehandedly cooked food for 6 of us and let us play arcade games while we waited. It was a great experience all in all. Going back for the famous tikka tacos soon. Edit: The Chicken Tikka Tacos are definitely worth the hype. So so good!
I'd definitely go back if I was in town. The arcade was a blast, bar had everything I would want, and the food was absolutely fantastic. I would have never expected this place to have food as good as it was. Smoked wings were the bomb.
Cool spot. It was my first time. Great crowd mix and very diverse. Cool staff and great service. Had one of the best burgers I ever ate and great conversations.
Service was excellent, drinks we're great and the food was so good. They was out of the smoke wings ??.
First time visiting. Expect a wait on food. Wings were *mwah* chefs kiss. However the white bbq is disgusting, unless you fancy horseradish. If I come back, I'd try the wings with the gold bbq sauce. Fries were decent as well. Big cat rolls were DISGUSTING. The sauce included doesn't even make it better. I came in expecting soul rolls and this ain?t hardly it. The macaroni has no cheese- it's just noodles, meat and greens. It could be soooo soooo much better lol ?? id visit again but only for the wings and
I absolutely love Transmissions arcade went on my first date with my girlfriend Sarah and she loved it always great pinball machines and arcade games and the drinks are really good
The vibes are nice here. It was busy when I visited so I didn't get a chance to play skee-ball but it's so awesome they have it! Thankful for the vegan option Burger with plant based cheese as well. Got a small side of fries and it was huge and a little greasier than I'd like but still delicious. The Buffalo Cauliflower is also well seasoned! Would like to see a plant based ranch join the menu for dipping those in. Will definitely be back!
I've been here numerous times and it's always fun. Definitely an eclectic mix of people, one of the best bars in Columbia, I would say with good beer. Maybe a few more vegetable options on the menu would help.
Friday night packed, so we waited awhile for our food. Completely understandable. When we got our food, we all agreed we would have waited longer. I got the smashburger and fries, but was also able to taste an egg roll appetizer and some loaded fries, all spectacular. I don't live in this state. If I did, I'd go here more.
By far, the best chicken sandwich that I've ever had. The flavor was out of this world. Pimento Cheese was ??????????. if you're looking for drinks, I highly recommend the smoked pineapple margaritas & key lime shot. Great atmosphere and even though it was busy it wasn't overhwleming. Definitely a must if youre in columbia.
What a cool and fun place! Great selection of beers on tap! Food and games are great!
The coolest place! The kids loved it!! Totally missed the arcade, when I was a kid in the 90s.. Definitely be hanging out there more! Great small craft beer selection!!
First time there we went for Sunday brunch. Food was absolutely delicious, employees were all so nice. Such a fun environment, will definitely be back to check out the rest of the food.
Fantastic. Literally Don't question whether you want to show up and do yourself a favor and just go. You won't regret it
Delicious drinks. Tasty food. And a lot of nostalgic fun! Def a hidden jewel!
overcrowded, food with no seasoning, and rude bartender. Big city prices/attitude for a micro city.
Great atmosphere, lot's of fun, everyone was very polite and friendly.
favorite of mine. amazing staff, amazing food, amazing drinks. overall great place to bring friends / a loved one for a great time. BRING BACK THE BAHN MI WRAP IT WAS SO UNGODLY GOOD.
I found this place a few years ago when I was looking for places to play pinball and drink that where close to my hotel in downtown Columbia. You walk in and you can feel that you are about to have one heck of a time. The arcades and pinballs all work, maintained well, fairly priced and LEVEL!!! It is great to see an establishment that takes pride in their games. The food...I look forward to it every time I come into Columbia. The burger and wings are the best I have ever had and it is very consistent
Love this place! The food is delicious- the wings are some of the best in Columbia. The arcade is fun, they have a good variety of pinball machines and arcades. During their busy times it can be a bit crowded and cramped, but overall a great venue.
Literally one of the coolest places in Columbia!! I had a BLAST here. Not only do they have lots of arcade games to play, they also have free board games to grab and play. That was honestly the best part. Great atmosphere, service, and food! 10/10 recommend the ice cream :)
What a fun place. Great staff, good drinks, good time. The wings were some of the best I've ever had - and the Banh Mi Fries were OUT OF THIS WORLD - they actually layered the goddies in the fries - not just piled on top.
Freaky place,good burger & beer. But too crowded.
I wish some of the games were not broken, many will take your tokens. It's a little small but the atmosphere is great, beer selection is decent and the food is fried! Talk about nostalgia it's both kid friendly in the daytime and adult appropriate at night!!
Beer was good but that chicken Tikka sandwich sent me home
The best chicken tenders I have ever had. So much so that I hate their dipping sauce options, but the tenders are so good that I don't use any sauce!
I SAW THAT INCREDIBLE BLUES GUITARIST AGAIN last night on June 2, 2023. {LOG NOTES || top secret IF NOT classified ??!!!} "Yes, this much is true. It was definitely prior to 10 pm TGIF as they say down here. "IT was definitely the SAME BLUES ?? GUITARIST I observed last time. "I feel very confident in saying that the guitarist IS Stevie RAY Vaughn. Now we know this can't be true BUT at the same time I have a BEST FRIEND who hired Stevie Ray Vaughn and his TRIO and the time (early 1980s) DOUBLE TROUBLE when
The food is amazing. Not something I expect for an arcade. They have a modest amount of games but definitely enough to keep you entertained for an hour or two. Chicken tendies, and the burger are knock outs. Be sure to get some while you're here!
John Kimber, Nikki, and the rest of the staff are super welcoming! The food and drinks are amazing, the food is the best on main St. The whole staff from the door person to the kitchen people will make sure you feel welcome and happy, no matter what. Love this place! If y'all are in Columbia come by, play some games, have an amazing drink, and some delicious food!!!
I'm from out of town and a friend recommended this bar for its fantastic atmosphere and food. We had a terrible experience to say the least, specifically with a bartender named Kevin. I was extremely disappointed with his ability to control himself during their interaction, especially when he was the one being abrasive towards a paying customer with a simple concern. The other bartender had to personally ask Kevin, after my friend had repeatedly done the same, to restrain himself as Kevin was verbally as
Gem of columbia, welcoming environment great location no complaints
Transmission has quite the lively and vibrant atmosphere. The staff is friendly and quick, the drink choices are great, and the food is phenomenal. And obviously, the arcade. Seriously they take what you'd probably consider ?bar food? to a whole new level! I don't think it's pretentiously priced either like some other spots in this area.
Most exciting new restaurant/bar in Columbia in a long time. Best burger in town (cold smoked pattie really sets it off), reasonable beer prices, great atmosphere. My coworkers and I rented it out for two hours on a sunday afternoon and had a blast. Very clean. Staff was serious about covid but not in a way that made it impossible to have fun.
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.
Arcade prize games are a thrilling highlight in 2025! Claw machines, skee-ball, and ticket-redemption games like basketball offer a rush of skill and chance, with rewards like plushies, toys, or electronics up for grabs. Modern machines feature vibrant lights, digital scoreboards, and responsive controls, amplifying the fun. The lively arcade atmosphere, with cheering crowds and buzzing energy, makes every win feel epic.