Updated: January 2025
These Portland bars aren't just for drinking!
When your friend group starts retelling the same stories over and over again, it's time to freshen things up. Consider making a weekly date at a local bar with pool tables, darts, video game consoles, board games, and even bowling.
photo: retro game bar
6720 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.
Open daily from 5 PM to midnight, Retro Game Bar is the spot to challenge your friend in Mario Kart, lay back on the couch, and have a themed cocktail. Its collection of over 1000 video games largely focuses on consoles from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Guests are able to play the vintage games in their original form with HD RetroVision cables, mods, and PVM monitors.
photo: ground kontrol
115 NW 5th Ave.
The two-story arcade offers games dating from the 70s to modern day, enticing people of all ages, especially retro video game fans. When you've maxxed out your budget, sip on one of their signature cocktails like the Princess Peach. Ground Kontrol's food menu also offers vegan and gluten-free options. You must be 21+ to enter.
photo: slingshot lounge
5532 SE Center St.
This casual bar off of Powell has an entire dedicated game room. You'll find two pool tables, half a dozen pinball machines, and local art hanging on the walls. Challenge a rival to a game of pool using a house-made boozy slushie as the wager.
photo: alibi tiki lounge
4024 N Interstate Ave.
The Alibi Tiki Lounge is the second-oldest tiki bar in the country. The landmark dates back to the 1800s and has cycled through several name changes and owners since. The only change has been the introduction of nightly karaoke which has proved to be a lucrative choice for the historic lounge.
photo: punch bowl social
340 SW Morrison St.
If you're looking for variety, head down to Punch Bowl Social. The dynamic bar offers karaoke, table games, vintage arcade games, and 14 bowling lanes. The games do cost extra to play, but you can easily keep the fun going for hours with the vast array of options.
photo: bar of the gods
4801 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
In the heart of Hawthorne Boulevard lies the mythical Bar of the Gods, a Greek temple-themed watering hole complete with pinball machines, pool tables, and a covered patio.
photo: hungry tiger
213 SE 12th Ave.
Since 1985, Hungry Tiger has been known for its stiff drinks, good food, and pinball. Famously known for their specialty vegan corndogs, they also serve nachos, burgers, sandwiches, wings, soft pretzels, and more. Hang at the bar and watch a movie on the TV or take to the heated patio.
photo: quarterworld
4811 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
QuarterWorld Arcade is one of the best places to hang out on Hawthorne. With over 100 games between pinball machines and the arcade, it's a great place to take a date, a friend who's visiting town, or for some solo fun.
photo: McMenamins tavern
1716 NW 23rd Ave.
McMenamins Tavern & Pool offers a laid-back environment to play pool or partake in the 22-foot shuffleboard tables. While you're waiting for your turn, admire the local artwork covering the walls and sip on McMenamins handcrafted ales, wines, and spirits.
photo: baby ketten klub
2433 SE Powell Blvd.
A vegan karaoke bar? Sign us up. Grab a private room with a 70s or 80s theme and order some "tempurah coliflowr bytes" or a "baskit of chikn fingrs." Get a pre-song buzz with some "ketten kocktalez."
photo: birdie time
925 SE Main St.
Embrace your inner child with Birdie Time Pub's mini-golf course. Available on a first-come-first-serve basis, you can play for just $8 a round. Of course, they also have large TVs to watch the game and a generous drink and food menu, but the mini-gold is really the standout.
photo: cheerful tortoise
1939 SW 6th Ave.
Neighboring Portland State University, Cheerful Tortoise is a hotspot for college students. That being said, Cheerful is a great place for young 20-somethings to grab a few beers, play pool, and sing karaoke.
photo: The People's Court
2700 SE 82nd Ave.
Portland's new recreational activity and sports venue, The People's Court, is all the rage. The indoor/outdoor venue provides space for the community to play pickleball, skee ball, pinball, dance dance revolution, and more! They even serve food and drinks.
12553 SW Main St. (Tigard)
If you find yourself in Tigard, Senet Game Bar offers games, drinks, and food at your fingertips. Check their calendar, and you'll find bingo, trivia, karaoke, and even comedy shows. Play Dungeons and Dragons under neon lights while munching on nachos and sandwiches.
photo: wedgehead
3728 NE Sandy Blvd.
Wedgehead may not have the largest selection of pinball in the city, but they do have fish tanks you can dissociate into while you have a drink and nibble on their robust menu with vegan options. Choose between a cheeseburger, chicken sandwich, salad, arepa, fresh churros and more!
photo: hungry sasquatch
2110 Main St. (Vancouver)
Another Vancouver staple, Hungry Sasquatch will serve you the largest pizza you've ever seen - so show up hungry! Next door, their sister bar Thirsty Sasquatch is serving up delicious drinks, and in between you'll find seating and pinball machines! They also have occasional trivia nights!
Did we miss your favorite spot? Let us know at [email protected].
