LA's Best, Weirdest, Coolest, Dodgiest Arcades
You're not going to rack up any great stories for the grandkids by playing video games alone at home all night, so put down your Wii or your Guitar Hero and make the perilous leap back into the world of good old fashioned human contact. The arcade may be an endangered species, but a few are still alive and kicking, and some inspired minds have even re-imagined and revolutionized the concept. The following six Los Angeles arcades range from the retro to the futuristic, so crack your knuckles, flex your thumbs, shake out your wrists, and kick some alien ass.
Sassony Arcade
724 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
It may be walking distance from classy joints like the Library Bar and the Standard Downtown, and just down the street from historic Clifton's Cafeteria, but the Sassony … Arcade at 7th and Broadway is officially a dump. To call an arcade a dump isn't necessarily an insult, though, and while this may not be the most sophisticated or chic arcade on the list, it promises a variety of video games, pool tables, a photo booth, and who knows -- maybe even a harrowing story for the grandkids. [link]
Japan Arcade
333 S Alameda St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 625-1486
Located on the second story of the Little Tokyo mall at 3rd and Alameda, this diminutive arcade features a number of imported Japanese games that you're unlikely to find … anywhere else, such as Taiko Drumming and Typing of the Dead. Games are cheap: Most will only cost you 50 cents. [link]
UWink
6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
(818) 992-1100
The brainchild of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese founder Nolan Bushnell, uWink is an arcade for the 21st century, offering at-the-table-entertainment that includes a large … variety of games, table-to-table interaction, "edutainment", videos, and more. Customers at the flagship location in Woodland Hills even order their cocktails and meals via touch screen terminals at the table. [link]
Santa Monica Pier: Playland Arcade
350 Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 451-5133
With over 200 games, including Pac Man, Dance Dance Revolution, and skeeball, the Playland Arcade on the Santa Monica pier is a perfect party spot for those in need of a … little regression. When you tire of the cacophony of pinball machines and video games, escape for a ride on Pacific Park's nine-story Ferris wheel next door. [link]
Miss T's Barcade
371 N Western Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 465-5045
Forget Dave and Buster's, seriously. Miss T's Barcade is the perfect marriage of games and giggle water. The rec-room decor -- replete with 1980s-kitsch posters, … LiteBrite, and a He-Man exhibit behind the bar -- will make you feel like you've gone back in time, and the old pop and rap tunes spun by a DJ will only intensify the effect. Enjoy games like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Centipede, Mike Tyson's Punch Out, and Galaga while you sip your Guinness. The old-school vibe and kitschy cool factor makes up for their lack of a liquor license. [link]
Westwood Arcade
10965 Weyburn Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 443-4316
Smack dab in the middle of UCLA's Westwood Village, the Westwood Arcade has shooting and fighting games like Street Fighter, older favorites like Ms. Pac Man, Galaga, and … Centipede, and new redemption games including Deal or No Deal. The surrounding offerings of In n' Out Burger, Diddy Riese, and Stan's Donuts provide the perfect fuel for serious gaming. [link]
