As summer blazes on, San Antonians in search of respite from the heat might want to duck into a nice, air-conditioned arcade for a couple of hours. And while San Antonio has plenty of options for arcades with the newest, flashiest games, sometimes gamers just want the nostalgic feeling of playing an old-school game on a vintage machine. These five arcades have everything from pinball to Donkey Kong for gamers in search of a blast from the past.
Be Kind & Rewind
The dance floor-adjacent arcade in the immersive ’80s, ’90s, and Y2K-themed dance club and bar Be Kind & Rewind in downtown San Antonio features a collection of retro arcade games, pinball machines and even a horoscope card dispenser. The club hosts themed parties every weekend, and partiers can take a break from the flashing neon lights of the dance floor with a few throwback games. Pinball is $1 per game while arcade games — like Pac-Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Tomb Raider, Galaga, Centipede, The Simpsons, Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong — are all free to play.
115 Alamo Plaza
$0-$1 per game
Kung Fu Saloon
Along with private karaoke rooms where you can belt out a power ballad among friends, sports bar Kung Fu Saloon on the city’s North Side offers a small selection of arcade games including retro games such as Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat as well as newer ones like Guitar Hero. Most games cost 25 cents to $1 to play. Skee-Ball is always free, and on Sundays, all games are free to play.
5531 N Loop 1604 W
$0-$1 per game
What’s Brewing?
What’s Brewing? has been roasting coffee in San Antonio since 1979 and, in addition to a coffee shop, its Northside location houses a surprising feature. As you walk through the doors, you are met with the rich smell of coffee brewing and the sound of dozens of pinball flippers clanging. The roughly 40 machines have cup holders for your coffee and cost 25 cents to $1 per game. What’s Brewing? also hosts local pinball tournaments and leagues like The Alamo City Pinball League, Pinball Club for Women and The Little Flippers for kids.
138 W. Rhapsody Dr.
25 cents-$1 per game
Diversions Game Room
Diversions Game Room is “an old-school arcade with a modern twist.” Located near North Star Mall, the game room offers over 60 new and vintage arcade games that are all no more than $1 to play. Lit mainly by the kaleidoscope of lights from the games, it’s a great place to escape with your family and get lost in the maze of modern and old-school games such as Galaga, Pac-Man and Tetris. The space is also available to rent for parties. The $200 party fee will get you up to two hours reserved with your guests, tables set up in the game room and 880 tokens.
9900 San Pedro Ave
25 cents-$1 per game
Otaku Cafe
Otaku Cafe is known as San Antonio’s largest local anime store. However, past the figurines, video games and other merchandise, the shop is also home to a Japanese-style arcade. The arcade includes rhythm games like Maimai and fighting games like Marvel vs. Capcom 2. You can also indulge in Japanese snacks while you play and even participate in the arcade’s weekly Smash Ultimate tournaments on Thursdays at 7 p.m. Visitors can play all of the arcade games for an entrance fee of $5 for an hour, $7 for two hours or $10 for a full day.
7022 Bandera Rd.
$5-$10 entrance fee
