Inside Seattle’s ultimate retro gaming trail: from a moody ramen arcade in Capitol Hill to a hidden vintage pinball bar tucked down a Fremont alleyway

Save

Share

Harriet Scrumptious

 –  Staff Writer

 ·  November 10, 2026

Add us as a preferred source

And for game fans, a special video game Candlelight concert is coming to the Arctic Club Hotel, bringing music from some of gaming’s best-loved titles off the screen and onto the stage, beneath thousands of candles.

Where to play arcade games in Seattle

Start in the Chinatown–International District. Pink Gorilla Games is a good place to begin: the local shop is full of retro and imported games, collectibles and characters you’ll recognise from series like Pokémon and Super Mario. The original store opened here in 2005, and browsing is half the fun, even if you’re not hunting for anything in particular.

A few blocks away, the Seattle Pinball Museum swaps cartridges for flippers. More than 50 vintage and modern machines are set to free play after admission, so you can take your time and see which game pulls you in and even host a mini tournament with your friends.

Then head to Capitol Hill. Raygun Lounge is an easy pick for groups: it’s all ages, with 13 pinball machines, eight arcade consoles and a library of tabletop games. Just down the gaming trail, Time Warp serves up a moodier arcade-bar vibe, with pinball, arcade games and a menu of ramen. The 21+ venue serves specialty cocktails and unique instant ramen combinations created with The Ramen Rater, so while you’re battling it out on the machines, you can also hold a friendly taste test to see whose ramen combo comes out on top.

Keep going to Belltown for Jupiter Bar and Shorty’s. Jupiter has pinball, driving games, photo booth and Killer Queen, a team arcade game that’s more fun with a group. Murals by local artists bring color to the space, and pizza by Good Shape bring mouth watering flavor combinations for a late night bite.

Shorty’s brings together pinball, arcade games and the kind of hot dogs that make a good late-night snack. Its Coney Island circus inspired decor adds to the old-school arcade feel – an easy place to settle in for a few rounds with friends.

For a final round, pick your direction. In Fremont, Add-a-Ball is tucked down an alley, with vintage coin-op games and pinball, and stays open late for the 21+ crowd. The Ice Box is another Fremont option, with video games, pinball, air hockey and pool. Head south instead for Georgetown Pizza & Arcade, where you can play pinball and arcade games, including a four-player Simpsons cabinet, over a slice. West Seattle Arcade offers another mix of video games and pinball if you’re heading that way. 

Seattle’s gaming spots are spread across the city, so there’s no need to squeeze them all into one trip. Pick the neighborhoods that work for you, check the venues’ hours and age policies, and let the high scores decide when you’re done.

For those who love video games as much for their soundtracks as their gameplay, a special concert is coming to Seattle. Candlelight: Best of Video Games brings the music that you know and love off the screen and onto the stage at the Northern Lights Dome Room at the Arctic Club Hotel. At this tribute concert you will hear themes from The Legend Of Zelda, Mario Kart 64, Super Mario, Pokemon Sun & Moon and more interpreted by a string quartet, beneath the glow of thousands of candles. Grab your tickets, hit start, and let the music play.