How to Find a Real Arcade Near Me in 2026

Arcades have made a comeback. Chains like Dave & Buster's, Round1, and Main Event are easy to find — but the indie barcades and retro venues are the real experience. Here's how to find them all.

1. Use GamerGrid's arcade directory

Browse getbimhub.com (no wait — gamergrid.games) /arcades for 585 verified US arcades including chains, barcades, retro arcades, pinball halls, and family fun centers. Filter by state or city.

2. Chain locators

Dave & Buster's: daveandbusters.com/locations — 150+ US stores. Round1 USA: round1usa.com/locations — 50+ stores, especially in Asian-American suburbs. Main Event: mainevent.com/locations — 60+ locations. These are the highest-volume options.

3. Pinball Map for serious pinball players

pinballmap.com — community-maintained directory of every venue with working pinball machines in the US. Filter by working/broken machines. Best for finding venues where specific pinball titles are playable.

4. Local barcades — Google for '[city] barcade'

Barcades are 21+ in most cases. Search '[your city] barcade' or '[your city] retro arcade'. Major US barcade chains: Barcade (NYC, Philly, LA), Up-Down (Midwest), Emporium Arcade Bar (Chicago), Pinz (multiple cities).

5. Retro arcades / classic-only venues

Galloping Ghost Arcade (Brookfield IL — biggest in US). Pinball Hall of Fame (Las Vegas). Strong National Museum of Play (Rochester NY). National Videogame Museum (Frisco TX). These are destination venues worth a special trip.

6. Local FGC + Smash venues

Many local FGC players run small tournaments at their local barcade. Smashboards.com community forums, r/SSBM and r/Smashbros subreddits, and start.gg tournament listings all help find local fighting/Smash venues.

7. Family fun centers

For families with kids: Dave & Buster's, Main Event, Andretti Indoor Karting, Scene75, and your local equivalent. Most have a mix of arcade games + ticket redemption + sometimes laser tag, bowling, or go-karts.

Frequently asked

What's the biggest arcade in the United States?

Galloping Ghost Arcade in Brookfield, IL (suburbs of Chicago) — 950+ playable cabinets, $20 flat admission for unlimited play. Largest commercial arcade in the country.

Are arcades 21+?

Barcades are usually 21+ after a certain hour (often 8-9pm). Pure arcades and family fun centers (Dave & Buster's, Round1) are all-ages all the time. Check the venue's website before arriving with kids.

How much do arcades cost?

Pay-per-game venues: $0.50-$1.50 per credit. Free-play venues: $20-$30 flat admission for unlimited play. Barcades typically charge drink + per-game-credit. Family fun centers run card-based ticket systems ($30-$100 for typical visit).