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- Hours:
Mon-Sun 12 pm - 2:30 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
350 reviews for Ground Kontrol
Review Highlights
"The upper level is devoted to PINBALL."
(in 163 reviews)
"Combine these retro video games with."
(in 84 reviews)
"Pac Man, Joust, Galaga, DigDug, 2 Trons=heaven."
(in 37 reviews)
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350 reviews in English
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Review from Bill H.
Forest Park, IL
2/1/2012
Holy Nostalgia Blast, Batman. A real, live video arcade with 20 pinball machines? And Pacman? And Street Fighter 2? And a Playchoice-10?
This. Is. AWESOME.
I know console and PC gaming is state-of-the-art, but there's still something to be said for putting your quarter on a game and asking to play next.
From what I understand, the game lineup rotates pretty regularly. They had the old X-Men 6-player arcade game when I went there a couple of weeks ago, which was awesome. Would have loved to have seen either the first TMNT video game or The Real Ghostbusters. I think I would have moved in if I saw either one.
If you have any fond memories of hanging out with friends and spending time and quarters on video games as a kid, you have to go here. -
Review from Sarah F.
Portland, OR
1/26/2012
Mother of God. Aside from the sometimes beer hall / high school gym smell, the pinball games are where it's at.
There are about 20 types of pinball games upstairs from the Simpson's to...um, well I call it the fishing game. I love pinball. Yeah there's Pacman and Tron and other old school games, but I grew up playing in my grandmother's basement and I was hooked early on.
Each station has a nice beer holder (the selection from downstairs is so, so) allowing you to beat the hell out of the pinball and not spill your drinks.
Sometimes they have DJs playing inside and that really adds to the vibe of the place making it a true Portland gem.
I don't particularly like the tournaments they hold because I can't play the games I want, but it's still a nice atmosphere and the game selection is better than anywhere else I can find in this area.
Totally worth a visit. -
Review from Rachel H.
Portland, OR
1/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
this is a very cute idea.
video game selection is classic, racing car games were super fun, they have some vegan munchies, and self-serve water which is nice because i can't drink and hate waiting by the bar just to order water.
only thing i think they really need is an actual coat check. there is just no place to put your stuff down while playing if you want to keep your belongings with you; the other option is to hang it on a rack by the staircase....personally, i'm not comfortable with leaving my belongings out of sight in a crowded bar open to the public (plus, i really like my coat), but i'm a city girl and am constantly astounded by the level of credit portlandians seem to give each other. -
Review from Trish F.
Irvine, CA
2/7/2012
Came here on a Monday night and had a great time!
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Review from Michael B.
Tualatin, OR
1/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
With a new move to Portland and a wife's new found love of pinball, Ground Kontrol seemed like a good place to spend an afternoon.
upon arriving we found a whole upper floor filled with all the pinball a pinball lover could love. We breezed through 15-20 machines and 30 bucks before I got to the holy grail. LORD OF THE RINGS! We had been playing a beat up broken version in Long beach . The GK machine was in top shape. Smooth, winning, and all the lights worked.
The one star off is for when we returned the next day multiple machines were down. including LORD OF THE RIGS. Wife was very sad. Hopedfully on our next visit everything will be back up and running. -
Review from Sarah P.
Boise, ID
1/9/2012
Alcohol + Arcade games = A+
This place is awesome. The games are classic and fun, plus they are great if there are any problems. The tables are festive and funky. But the bathrooms are a MUST SEE. Mortal Kombat Tournament was the highlight of our groups night.
Drinks could be stronger or it would have been a five in my book! -
Review from Caitlin H.
Portland, OR
12/16/2011
A great cheap little bar that has TONS of old video games. I went there last Friday night and was shocked to see they had a $3 cover. However, they DJ was excellent, and the place was packed, but not overpacked (we could still get to games and play what we wanted too without waiting).
Upstairs - probably the best collection of Pinball in Portland...I know, the city of Pinball, right?
They actually have (gasp!) ALCOHOL now. The hard stuff, in addition to their beer/wine selection.
I have to say, since I have moved to Portland three years ago they have really classed this place up! Fancy tables to eat at (that glow), SUPER nice bathrooms, kind of an overall more classy (but not too classy, show up in your jeans and a tee or whatever you want to wear - except maybe a ball gown - and you'll fit in just fine) feel than the grime I felt when I entered back when I was new to PDX.
A fun place to go with a couple of friends to play some games. It's easy to get quarters from their two coin machines (located both upstairs and downstairs) and quick to order beer at the bar.
I'd recommend this place, even if you AREN'T a huge gamer (I'm not). -
Review from Holy-foo' X.
Portland, OR
1/5/2012
This is the sort of review you might describe as shooting fish in a proverbial arcade barrel..
Let's see, in no particular order here....
Star 1: Vintage arcade video games? Check. The breadth of selection humbles.
Star 2: Open Late? Check. Too bad it's not 24/7, but beer-thirty is acceptable....
Star 3: Why is beer-thirty relevant? BAR! Who cares about the selection???
Star 4: Cost effective? Check! A guaranteed blast for $10 or less..
Star 5: If you make me think "Crap! Why didn't I think of it first?!?" You've got a winner! -
Review from Michael T.
Portland, OR
12/29/2011
Seriously? Why are you reading a review of this place? Go there now.
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Review from Alice K.
Seattle, WA
11/17/2011
Like the movie Tron with hippies, over 9000 I might add.
If you like retro gaming, chip-tunes, divey bars and/or pinball for pretty cheap you should go.
(Must be over 21 after a certain hour.)
Also, if you want a snack extremely late at night, there is a subway nearby that's open until 2/3am.
Went with a guy born in the 70's.
He went through nostalgia. -
Review from Keith T.
Portland, OR
1/30/2012
One of Portland's best places, not just bars. Great idea, great scene, great people, great everything. Thank you, GK, for existing. But I wish your sign still read BARCADE. Cuz that was awesome and true.
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Review from Andrew G.
I still remember seeing my first video game. No, it was not Space Invaders. It was called Death Race. It was a third-person, black and white driving game where you ran over erratic pedestrians and each successful hit produced a tombstone, which then doubled as an obstacle. Talented players would leave a Boot Hill's worth of scattered cenotaphs. My older brother was pretty good at it. I could barely even run one of the clearly-lacking-in-personal-safety-awareness "victims" over. Cut me some slack...I was 7. The point to all of this is that I've pretty much grown up in the video game era. I spent quite a few hours and allowances kung-fuing or fireballing some horde of cretins or other...you just don't have the time to remember their names when you're doing all you can just to SURVIVE, okay? If you'd been there, you'd know the horror I've witnessed.
FFWD to adulthood. Home videogaming has taken over. The gameplay and graphics evolve continuously. The controls have become more complicated than a Formula 1 cockpit. (quick aside...I think if I ever opened an arcade, I would name it "The Cockpit". Concise.) Gone are the days when you controlled a little dude with a joystick and a jump button. No, it's about strafing, high-powered rifle scopes and quick weapon changes. I'm just going to come out and say it...they're too complicated for me. I get button dyslexia and end up crouching in a corner, dropping live grenades around myself like a broken strand of explosive pearls. What I need is simplicity. Classic arcade games provide this.
Enter Ground Kontrol. Rock 'n roll arcade for adults. It's like a time machine, except with beer and the occasional woman. I scoped it out and found some old friends. Tempest was always a favorite, as was Discs of Tron (regular Tron is for neo-maxi zoom dweebies). I wish they had Kung-Fu Master, Elevator Action or Gyruss but such is life. They do have a console version of Smash TV which I was pretty excited about. Have you ever played it? Then you would know that it is an ironman marathon of carnage for your thumbs. I could have used some help, you know. Thanks a bunch. No, don't get up. That couch won't sweat itself through.
The pinball selection is pretty sweet, as well. I got some LOTR time, even winning (though not EARNING) a free game. I never know where the ball is going or what the next objective is but it's fun, nonetheless. I think I killed the Witch King or some other Mordor asshole once. Always ucking up my shi, I swear.
Probably Ground Kontrol's most compelling virtue is that I can go into it without automatically feeling like a creepy loser man-boy. No, it almost feels, I don't know, kinda cool? Something approaching that, anyway. Best after 5pm when they start serving up the suds.Listed in: Hey, Ma! I wROTeD a gooder!
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Review from Kimberly P.
Portland, OR
11/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great place to unleash your inner child! You won't find the fancy new arcade games that other places carry; this is truly a retro arcade.
The lower level features the classic video games like Frogger, Mario Bros, The Simpsons, Pac Man, Mortal Kombat, etc etc etc.... Then you make your way up the staircase to their upper level that primarily features pin ball machines. I loooove me some pinball and find myself getting lost up there.
I like the games are relatively inexpensive, they all take quarters. They do have a change machine if needed.
There is also a basic bar, featuring beer and wine. They also recently launched a larger food menu. Most of the items are even available vegan or gluten free!
I really want someone to try out the DK Dessert Dog and tell me how it is!! :-) -
Review from Rachelle N.
Clackamas, OR
1/9/2012
Best combination ever! I could stay here for hours and not even break the bank. The games are just a few quarters and even have convenient cup holders for my brewski! Dance Dance Revolution and Pinball... aww yeah!
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Review from John R.
Vancouver, WA
1/8/2012
I stumbled across this place and must say it was quit fun. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that it seemed a little dirty and the line to get a drink was quite long and only getting longer. That being said it wasnt unreasonable and they did add bar staff when it backed up.
This place doesn't pretend to be anything it's not. It's simple and a ton of fun. The atmosphere was pleasant with people from 21 to 60+ walking around playing games. There were groups of people all enjoying themselves, and I have never seen so many pinball machines in my life.
Food is a very limited menu, so don't go hungry, but drinks we good and inexpensive.
On another note all the arcade machines have drink holders, which I found nice too.
Lots of fun when you are looking for something different to do. -
Review from sm r.
Portland, OR
9/25/2011
I have only one minimum requirement for any business: HONOR YOUR AGREEMENTS.
Ground Kontrol failed at the door. Their website clearly said there was no cover on Saturday September 24th, which is why I put it on the pub crawl list. So when our entire pub crawl showed up with quarters in their hands and the door guy said $3 each, I was a little surprised.
"But your website says there is no cover."
"Doesn't matter, it's $3 a piece to get in."
"Well, who does your website?"
"I dunno, the manager, I guess."
"Then the manager says there is no cover tonight. Look." (Insert smart phone.)
"Whatever."
"Fine then, we'll just go on to the next place and spend our money there."
"Ok, whatever. We don't need you, we're doing just fine without you."
I am truly glad they are doing fine without me, because I think it's probably a very cool place. But since I already have everything they offer at home, I'll probably never go. If they don't need me, that's fine, because I don't need them either. -
Review from Lexi G.
Phoenix, AZ
11/21/2011
Oh sweet Neptune, I love this place.
My boyfriend and I recently went on a 5 day trip to Portland. Having researched ahead of time, we knew we needed to see this place. Classic arcade games mixed with food and alcohol? It can't get better than that, can it?
Not really! We had such an amazing time here, even during the no-alcohol zone (before 5 p.m.). We spent a good 4 hour session during the day time, it wasn't crowded at all. Even at the beginning of the night, it wasn't packed. Not until around 9 or so did it get packed, and that was after already spending another 4 hours there.
The games are cheap, typically 25-50 cents per play and the options were plentiful. They also offer various beer and other alcoholic options as well as a full menu of food. During happy hour, we got a local draft beer and a PBR tall can for $5. After happy hour, the price for both only increased to $7... such a good value in these trying times.
We tried some of the food, I got a Rudy dog and my boyfriend got the veggie Rudy dog and a side of vegan chili. While we thought the food was good, the only complaint was that it was almost miniature, we wished it was double the size... that could have been thanks to the numerous beers we had but overall, we were not disappointed. Again, pretty low prices on food, too. The staff was also really friendly and easy to get along with, so that's definitely a plus.
We found it very easy to spend hours upon hours here, so we did. Some of the games are a little worn, but it's understandable. With classics like Sunset Riders (we are number 1 and 9 on the top score now, muahaha) Double Dragon, a classic NES station with the timed sessions of Mike Tyson's Punch Out and various shoot em up (kill em dead) games, they even provide a huge selection of my personal favorite, pinball! Seriously, the entire second level (yeah, it's TWO FLOORS OF GAMES) is dedicated to pinball. I was in heaven.
This place may be the sole reason we move to Portland sometime in the future. Just saying... -
Review from Heather Z.
Phoenix, AZ
12/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Strong drinks, fun games, really clever idea - tons of points for clever. I was a TAD on the older side, and they carded me at the door (umm, okay!) But I am so glad we went, I would think this would be well received anywhere in any city, but since I only know of this one - go now!
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Review from Lauren T.
10/19/2011
$5 Free Play on all arcade games and PINBALL!?!? Plus beer!? Need I say more?!
I really love the fact that there was free pin ball all night while the bf and I visited. I SUCK at pin ball, so to be able to lose and keep playing without the need to feed the machine quarters is winsauce. There was some kind of PacMan tourney going on when we went. I didn't mess with any arcade games, I practically played every pinball machine at the spot. I had an awesome time.Listed in: Portlandia
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Review from Jesus A.
12/19/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Ground Kontrol is definitely a sub-cultured place from the 80's & 90's. It does also have new games, it is like an arcade for older people where you can enjoy a beer or two while playing. It is a great place to re-live your childhood. I enjoy playing here on a regular basis, I truly appreciate the place.
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Review from Michael F.
Brooklyn, NY
12/17/2011
So many pinball machines. A pretty decent arcade selection otherwise. There is not much complexity to why this place is good.
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Review from Barbi P.
Parker, CO
9/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
They have The Simpson's game. I would give this place 3 stars if it was nothing but that game in the middle of a dark room. It is a really cheesy game but it's one I remember playing for hours with my parents on our bi annual road trip to Michigan.
Back to the point. This place is cool, dark, slightly tron like (yeah they have that game too) and a great place to take people when you each want to do your own thing. There are a couple two player games but most are one player.
I can't comment on the food/drinks because we got there way too early in the day for bar food or drinks. But it does have a pretty nice looking bar and video games, drinks and some bar food sounds like an awesome combo. Most arcades have signs every 2 feet telling you no food or drinks.
My biggest complaint is just that one of the games ate a few quarters of mine. I should have learned my lesson the first time but I just really wanted to play it. -
Review from Ben K.
9/24/2011
Pros: Old school arcade games and pinball machines, alcohol, food, very cool atmosphere
Cons: Very loud and busy
I love this place! Went here last night with some friends that were in town and we had a blast. They have all the old school games from Pac-Man to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Double Dragon to NBA Jam. Not only that, but upstairs is almost completely devoted to pinball with machines from the 70s to today. What makes it even cooler is the place is a bar/club, so you can get a drink and take it around with you. Every machine has cupholders! They also have a lot of food options, which is great as well. It's kind of dark with neon lights, almost like TRON like some of the other reviewers have suggested.
The only negatives I have is it's very very loud in there. If you want to go somewhere to chill and shoot the breeze, probably not the place to do that. Not only do all the machines bloop and bleep, but a DJ plays music and creates a club like atmosphere. Also, this place is very busy, so you might have to wait a while to play your favorite game.
However, this place is one of the most unique places I've been to in a long time. Just goes to show you that no matter how old these games are, people still love to play them. -
Review from Nathan O.
Columbus, OH
10/23/2011 2 Check-ins Here
NBA JAM, PacMan, Sunset Riders, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, NFL BLITZ, and every pinball game you ever played as a child. This dive bar has been transformed into a play zone for the young at heart. You will see every type of person in this space, ranging from local hipsters to retired Star Trek advocates.
My only complaint comes with beer only being served after 5PM and closing for private parties on occasion.
Live the dream here, but only after dinner and a few drinks at other local spots. -
Review from Jeff H.
10/5/2011
I had a blast at this old school video arcade.
After dinner, my friend and I decided that this would be a great way to cap off the night. It was a Sunday evening, and even so, the area around the location was very busy. We drove around looking for street parking, but everywhere was full. We eventually just pulled into the lot directly next to Ground Kontrol, where I paid about 3 bucks for evening parking. Pretty standard for downtown Portland.
Entering, my first thought was that this strongly reminded me of the Foot Headquarters from the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. I don't know why; maybe it was the spiral staircase, maybe it was the loud music, maybe it was the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle game standing right next to the front door that took me back to hours of quarter-pumping fun from when I was ten years old.
Whatever it was, I was hooked.
This is a bar, and we were carded at the door. I don't honestly know if this is just after hours or not, but I actually appreciate it. As an old man, it's nice to have a place to go to have the kind of fun I enjoy without having to put up with a gaggle of teenagers trying to be cool.
The location is deceptively small, but there is an upstairs and a downstairs. There are some game cabinets upstairs, but this is mostly dedicated to pin-ball games. Downstairs is split in half, with a bar and seating area to one side, and three or four rows of cabinets on the other half.
We played some House of the Dead, Dig-Dug, Tron, Joust, and other nostalgic classics. Despite the fact that the graphics don't hold up to current arcade machines, the controls can be wonky sometimes and not work properly, and the Asteroids game stole our quarters, the novelty of seeing these things in action, and being surrounded by others who share that same love, more than made up for it.
(Oh, and I should mention, I had no doubt I could have gotten a refund on the Asteroids machine, but I guess my nostalgic mind kicked in, and it reminded me of how many movie theatre machines took money from me, with no recourse! So we just let it slide)
Plus, since it all ran off basically one quarter, I wasn't pumping out dollar after dollar as quickly.
A great place to go for a fun and goofy night out, and I hope it stays in town forever. -
Review from Yelena Y.
Philadelphia, PA
9/5/2011
I've never been to anything like this, so it was a pretty cool experience. It's full of arcade games and there's a bar with a good amount of food you can order. Don't expect super cheap beer specials, but it could have been worse. The games aren't too expensive either. Some machines are kind of old and don't function perfectly, but still fun.
The ladies room is really cool inside if you get a chance to check it out. -
Review from Karl G.
Portland, OR
10/19/2011
No pinball list could be complete without Ground Kontrol. The most pinball machines anywhere in town, serviced by people who care. A radically-designed space, pleasantly abuzz with the sound of dorks playing video games. I can't quite give this place 5 stars, but this place is essential and if you play pinball you will end up here many, many times.
PROS: Tons of pinball, neat decor, decent beer selection, flexibility to pop downstairs for a vintage video game if you get burnt out on pinball.
CONS: Sometimes a cover when all I care about is the pinball, $3 PBR, lots of people crowding the area while I'm trying to play pinball (hipsters or obvious first dates), free play days ($5 cover, more than I usually end up spending on pinball). -
Review from Erin R.
Santa Rosa, CA
9/6/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Simply the best. I got nerdy with it while drinking Total Domination IPA. The only qualm I have is, the air conditioning needs to be turnt upppp. I get hot when I get my DDR on.
OH and the fact that I beat my well-versed-in-all-things-gamer brother in Tekken Tag Team and Mortal Kombat totally kicks booty. -
Review from Mae D.
Puyallup, WA
9/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been coming to Ground Kontrol for three years now, and it seems like it's getting smaller.... The pinball area upstairs hasn't changed much, but the downstairs has gotten smaller in terms of variety of arcade games since they added the four player pac-man (i think that's what it was), which was impressive and two large arcade gaming units. However, it's nice that there is seating closer to the bar than on the other side of the room.
They are now serving food too, not quite sure if they have been serving food since I started coming, but it smelled really good.
Overall, Ground Kontrol is a great hang out place, not good for large groups seeing that it's already jam packed by 10pm on a Saturday night. But If you're willing to play pinball (which many were occupied upstairs as the main attraction were the arcade games) and drink cheap beer you'll have a great time, like I did :) -
Review from Valery M.
Hillsboro, OR
8/7/2011
I am a nerd. My friends are nerds. We are living in the American capital of nerd cool. And the city hall of nerd PDX is Ground Kontrol.
Ground Kontrol boasts a seriously impressive array of classic arcade games and pinball machines. All your old favorites are there, and they're relatively cheap to play, especially on Last Wednesday and Third Thursday freeplay nights!
Since the remodel, the bar section is awesome, with backlit tables and a brand new food menu. Their drink selection is still disappointingly sparse, though, which is one of my only complaints, the other being that it can get oppressively crowded in there at night. This, of course, leads to two problems: a rapidly rising ambient temperature, and frequent difficulty finding an open game to play.
But get yourself in there with a good group of nerdy friends, manage to secure yourself a table (they fill up fast!), and wander around from time to time, playing what's open. You get all the fun of a night out on the town, with the bonus of completely avoiding the usual bar-hopping, club-going bros and hos.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from Bryan I.
Updated - 6/20/2011 17 Check-ins Here
Best Arcade Ever!!! (with, perhaps, the sole exception being some of the mind-blowing arcades in Tokyo, but even then, without beer and bar food like surprisingly tasty vegan dogs, even they can't top the GK :-)
My only complaint: DDR difficulty is increased exponentially when you can't hear the music/beat because of the blasting DJ mixes, but alas, you can't have it all :-(1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/24/2010
"It's On Like Donkey Kong!" Challenge Steve Wiebe's world DK record!
RADICAL, DUDE! Teenage Mutant… Read more »
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Review from Pavan G.
Orange, CA
11/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great beer and video games! What more can you ask for? I love the vibe here. I could spend an afternoon/evening here and be perfectly content. It's a great place to hang with a group or meet new people. I can't wait to go back :)
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Review from Steph C.
9/4/2011
Love this place. Hard to argue with cheap beer and classic arcade games.
Very reasonably priced with a huge selection of games: classics from my childhood (e.g., double dragon, street fighter, adam's family pinball) combined with some newer stuff (guitar hero). The freeplay night is great value at $5 entry, but the place gets really packed and you have to wait quite a while to get on more popular games.
Decent selection of beer, but lacking food menu. It also gets a little bit too hot, when crowded. -
Review from Megan M.
7/10/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Ahhhhhhhhhh (angels singing). I've been here once for less than 20 minutes, mostly to peruse. . It made my soul happy. I played the Soprano's pinball machine & Mortal Kombat. I whipped out scorpions 'GET OVER HERE!' move and demolished my opponent with childish glee which then broke out into random dance moves. I could spend hours in here I am willing to bet, especially after drinking. I eyed the DDR machine in the corner and I am willing to break out some rusty moves if anyone wants to join me in looking like a complete ass.
The doorman was very polite on the way out and in, even when we rushed past him trying to get at all the flashing lights without showing our ID's. I felt like I was in the Flynn's arcade from Tron only better. Yes, BETTER.
Liquor + nostalgic games = GENIUS!Listed in: Bacchus has drowned more men…
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Review from kelly s.
Portland, OR
8/14/2011
Another place I'd just assumed I had written about earlier. It's so obvious how awesome Ground Kontrol is, I'd figured that I had already gushed my brains out earlier about this place.
Ground Kontrol has recently been gently redone to feature some freaking AMAZING pac man insp. modern tiled bathrooms. I believe they now offer a full bar, but I know they did offer hot dogs and expanded beer menu for sure.
Other new additions include a 4 way mrs. pac man battle game where you try to eat each other, and several new pin balls and classic 8bits. There are tons of well maintained pinball machines, and I think every arcade classic I really care about, (with the exception of Tapper, where you play an alcoholic beer pourer, complete with budwiser sponsorship).
If you're lucky you'll come on a night where people come to battle of the bands karaoke via guitar hero including super detailed embellished avatars of the band members, priceless. -
Review from john t.
Updated - 6/20/2011
Are you wandering around downtown area and looking for something to do? stop reading reviews and head on down here and kill of some time really fast.
What better way is there to have some beer, play some games, and this place is equally fun by yourself or with a group of friends.
I was in there on a Saturday night and it's perfect, busy but not crowded. The games are from years before and it is great to be reminded how great the classics are.
So if you're looking to burn off some time, swing on down and enjoy yourself some arcade games.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/24/2011
Hey i thought the remodeling was going to extend the second floor out more to give it more space.… Read more »
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Review from Daniel J.
Woodinville, WA
11/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
reliving my childhood! I love visiting this place whenever I visit the Portland area. I just wish there was another pinball arcade closer to home!
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Review from David P.
Vancouver, WA
8/2/2011
Ground Kontrol is a love/hate destination for me. The games are great, they're well maintained and work really well. They're inexpensive overall and frequently you will pay less to play them now then when they were new. The selection of beverages is OK in that you will probably find something you don't mind drinking, and maybe something you're very fond of. The addition of a food menu was a great decision and I've enjoyed everything I have ordered.
So there is obviously a great deal to love about this place!
If you find your way in there during a peak night (fri/sat for instance) and you just want to hang out with a friend and play some video games you are in for an unpleasant surprise. The popularity of this place, while well deserved, has become it's undoing for me. The crush of skinny-jean clad hip-kids just isn't my scene. I must be getting old.....
I can not stress enough, though, that my issues have NOTHING to do with the establishment! This is an INCREDIBLE spot to get your classic gaming fix! If you're like me, though, you'll want to avoid it on weekend nights when it is too packed to have much of a good time.
Also, try the chili dogs! -
Review from James K.
San Mateo, CA
9/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Blast from the past! Ground Kontrol is a pixel perfect re-creation of old arcades in the early 90's, from the selection of games--Mortal Kombat II, X-Men (the 6-player beat 'em up), NBA Jam, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Street Fighter II Turbo, etc.--to the cost per play--just one quarter to play for almost all of the machines in the building. These are the games that Gen-Y'ers grew up with, and one play from any of these retro machines is enough to realize what made us so addicted to these games in the first place--they're pure, unadulterated, fun.
The thumping techno, bar, and strategically placed cupholders all over the arcade add more to the experience, making it not just a hardcore gamer haven, but a casual hangout--a hangout which just happens to have the best and most addicting arcade games of our generation. I was surprised to see how popular this place is--it's just a further testament to the ageless nature of these games, and the fun they can bring, no matter how young or old we really are. -
Review from Caryn W.
6/8/2011
After reading about this place on Yelp, my fiancee and I decided to make a trip down to Ground Kontrol after our walking food tour.
It wasn't overly crowded and we didn't have to wait to play any of the games we wanted. I was amazed to see the original TMNT arcade game and much of our change went to that. My fiancee also played a bit of the Street Fighter II game as well. Patrons in the place were actually very polite and friendly as well.
We had plans to go back again to try the food and play more video games, but weren't able to make it the next day. We plan to return when we come back to Portland.Listed in: Vacationing In Portland
