Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade and Bar

This place is AWESOME! My fiance and I came in on a whim after passing by, and we are so happy we did. The bar did charge a $12 cover (I think), but on the particular night we came in the games were free play. The games on offer were a ton of fun-- lots of arcade classics as well as some fun new games. Also, there was a huge number of pinball machines available to place that were all great. This spot was a real gem and one of the highlights of our night. So fun!

this is such a wonderful place to go. they have so many wonderful games here. and the beer selection is amazeing. great place for couples and friend groups aswell. everyone i have brought here has loved this place. truely a fun place to be.

We literally plan vacations to Portland to hang out here. There's a massive selection of Pinball machines from every era (in perfect condition). The arcades also span the decades. Truly nostalgic with arcades like Mario Bros and Donkey Kong with modern classics like Mario Kart and Star Wars. With beverage holders on the machines, 2 bars and vegan food, we stay for hours.

Ground Kontrol is Portland culture. Period. I remember coming here for the first time about 10 years ago, and walking in recently felt like stepping back into a piece of the city that refuses to lose its soul. In a downtown that’s changed a lot, it’s refreshing to see a true Portland fixture still standing strong. If you’re starting a night out, this is where you go. If you’re ending one, this is also where you go. It’s that kind of place. The arcade lineup is iconic, the energy is always just chaotic enough in the best way, and the details matter — even the Pac-Man themed bathroom is legendary. It’s playful, nostalgic, a little gritty, and completely authentic. This isn’t just a bar. It’s an experience. It’s memory-making. It’s Portland. Long live Ground Kontrol.

Love this place! One of the only places in Portland I've found that has simple cocktails (rum n coke) for under $10. They also have a great menu of house cocktails that are reasonably priced too! Great place for a date night or to go with your friends. Went with 3 of my buddies and we had a great time. Great selection of classic games and newer games.

Great arcade bar! We went on Valentine's Day and it was Free gameplay all day after you paid admission ($6)! We hung out for a bit, left for food and came back. It was fantastic. Not to bad game selection.

Had a great first visit, staff was super friendly and informative with letting me know the details behind their Free Play days. My only hiccup is that I primarily came here to play Soul Calibur 2 which is on their list of games, and what I didn't know is that it's gated behind a room that doesn't open until 6PM. The website doesn't say anything about what games are in said room, so I was a bit thrown off by this since I had arrived at around 4PM That being said, I waited it out and enjoyed some other games in the meantime. The grand majority of the games I played were in great condition, and Soul Calibur 2 when I finally got to it felt great to play.