Bristol is taking a trip back to the 1990s, where the sounds of classic arcade games, retro décor and nostalgic vibes bring the decade back to life.
Level Up Arcade will debut at 212 Mill St. this fall.
Owner Chris Kinsey set out to create an all-in-one destination where guests of all ages can gather and have fun.
“I have three kids. It’s hard to always find something to do that everybody likes. It’s also hard to find things where you can meet other parents. I thought, family-friendly barcade was the answer,” Kinsey told Whatnow Philadelphia.
The space will feature two levels. (No pun intended!)
The first floor will showcase 12 pinball machines alongside a lineup of vintage arcade favorites, including Tron, Spy Hunter, Cruis’n World, Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man, as well as newer options like Fruit Ninja.
Guests can play all the games using coins.
“People seem to really get into using quarters. It definitely brings back memories for a lot of us,” he said.
The floor will also have a dedicated space designed to recreate an old-school living room, complete with cozy couches, a CRT television and a Nintendo console.
The downstairs level will host private parties and celebrations.
“When there are no parties, there’s a PS5 where we’ll have tournaments. There’s an 85-inch TV where we’ll have family and adult movie nights, along with theme night,” Kinsey said.
Guests can refuel between games with a full kitchen and 21 beers on tap, featuring a selection from Conshohocken Brewing Company.
“I’m a food guy. I love cooking. I love mixing cocktails, so I figured why not blend that all into one space,” he said.
The menu will offer elevated bar fare, with appetizers, smashburgers, salads and vegan options. Continuing the gaming theme, sections will feature playful names such as “Multiplayer” for sharables, “The Next Level” for entrees, “Power-Up” for sides and “For Little Gamers” for the kids menu.
“My mom was a huge cook and taught me to love food. We have her mac and cheese recipe on the menu. We have her meatball recipe on the menu. I think a signature item will be the Bucket ‘O Balls. It’s big, it’s huge. It’s 32 ounces of meatballs. It’ll come with rolls. People can share it,” Kinsey said.
The bar will serve up its own playful concoctions, including Pac-Man Power-Up, Donkey Kong Smash and Sonic Boom. The lineup will also highlight an espresso martini made with espresso from Bristol’s Calm Waters Coffee.
Adding another nostalgic touch, Level Up Arcade will have a milkshake bar with classic options for kids and boozy versions for adults.
Level Up Arcade will welcome all ages until 9 p.m. daily before switching to a 21-and-older crowd. Hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 to 10 p.m., Thursday from 3 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to midnight, and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. The kitchen closes one hour before closing.
The team plans to open by mid-November. Visit the website and follow along on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates.
