Emporium Arcade Bar

4.4
2354 reviews

About

BarPool HallEvent VenueArcade
We are Chicago’s original arcade bar! We have the largest collection of games in the city across locations with everything from classic arcade games to pool tables to tons of pinball, foosball, air hockey, and more. Our bar is passionately curated with the choicest craft beer selections, an innovative cocktail program, and a huge whiskey list. We feature live DJs on weekends, game tournaments & lots more so we always have something interesting going on. Book your next group outing here whether it is a few friends celebrating a birthday or your whole company party.

Details

  • Dine-inNot available
  • DeliveryNot available
  • TakeoutNot available
  • Accepts reservationsAvailable

Location

Emporium Arcade Bar
2363 N Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL
60647, United States

Hours

Reviews

4.4
2,354 reviews
5 stars
1,415
4 stars
595
3 stars
213
2 stars
51
1 star
80

What are people saying?

AI-generated from customer reviews

Service Quality

Customer experiences with bartenders were mixed, with some praising friendly service while others reported rudeness and dismissive attitudes.

Game Maintenance

A significant number of arcade machines were reported as broken or malfunctioning, leading to frustration among customers.

Atmosphere

The venue is generally described as fun and lively, with a good vibe and a diverse crowd, making it a popular spot for gatherings.

Drink Prices

While some customers found drink prices reasonable, others felt they were high for the quality offered.

Event Management

Issues with event organization and customer service during busy times were noted, particularly regarding security and reservation processes.
  • SK
    Sebastian Kulesza
    4 days ago
    5.0
    Great place to just chill with your friends or by yourself! either way it's always fun!!
  • GK
    Gustav Kuhnen
    5 days ago
    2.0
    The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, no issues there whatsoever. I was there on a Sunday when there were probably around 10-15 people in total, yet the music was playing way, way too loudly, to the point that we were avoiding games near the speakers. A lot of the games were out of order as well, which was disappointing.
  • LG
    Lynn Green
    Oct 26, 2025
    1.0
    I visited Emporium on October 25th. There were two male bartenders and one female bartender working that night. The two men were great -- no issues at all. However, my experience with the female bartender was disappointing. I'm not sure of her background (possibly white or Hispanic), she was wearing two pigtails braids. She acted unfamiliar with the menu. When I pointed out an item, she responded condescendingly, saying she couldn't see because it was too dark but if you ever been to Emporium, you know it's loud and you have to yell to even say your order so why not just read it so we're not yelling at each other and saying huh 1000 times. (Which she was doing the whole time) She proceeded to not look at the menu at all. First, if visibility is an issue, it's surprising that someone working behind the bar wouldn't be familiar with a few key menu items. (Please note the male bartenders had no problem looking at the menu) Second, there were lights around the bar, clearly intended for both customers and staff to read menus and prepare drinks. It didn't make sense that she claimed she couldn't see. When we ordered, she seemed rushed, brought us the wrong drink, and then acted as if we had made the mistake. Her attitude came off as impatient and dismissive. At that point, I stopped engaging because she was being rude and unprofessional. She even asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?" and accused me of trying to start a confrontation, which felt unnecessary and inappropriate. Overall, her behavior made the experience uncomfortable and took away from what should have been an enjoyable night.
  • LH
    Laura Hill
    Oct 22, 2025
    5.0
    Hosted my birthday party here on a Sunday afternoon! It was very easy to book on their website. They reserved a picnic table for us. We brought in our own decorations and food. Would definitely host another birthday event here!
  • SF
    Samantha Flores
    Oct 6, 2025
    5.0
    We went here for a portion of the night for my sister’s birthday. We didn’t really get any food during this time, but the environment was really fun. A lot of old school games that we enjoyed.