South Denver’s Arcade Scene Has Quietly Gotten Good
Arcades used to mean a dark room full of quarter-eating machines at the mall. That’s not what’s happening in South Denver anymore. Over the past several years, a handful of spots have turned “arcade” into shorthand for a full night out — craft cocktails next to pinball machines, skeeball lanes next to a sports bar, classic cabinets next to a kitchen that’s actually worth ordering from.
If you’re looking for something to do on a weeknight that isn’t dinner-and-a-movie, or you’re trying to plan a birthday, team outing, or first date that doesn’t feel like every other Denver night out, this guide covers the arcades and game bars actually worth the drive in the South Denver area.
1UP Arcade Bar — Greenwood Village
1UP Arcade Bar’s Greenwood Village location is the closest thing South Denver has to a proper retro arcade bar. The space is built around a rotating collection of roughly 60 classic and modern arcade cabinets, about 30 pinball machines, and five skeeball lanes — all free to play once you’re in the door, which changes the math on a night out compared to a quarter-per-play arcade.
It’s part of the 1UP chain that started on Colfax and has expanded across the metro, and the Greenwood Village location was built specifically to bring that same energy south. Expect a mix of Pac-Man-era cabinets, newer multiplayer games, and pinball machines spanning several decades, all in a bar setting with a full drink menu and pub food.
The crowd here skews toward groups and couples looking for a low-pressure hang rather than a quiet date night — it’s loud, bright, and social by design.
Pindustry — Greenwood Village
Pindustry takes a different approach: it combines bowling, an arcade floor, and a full sports bar into one large venue. If your group can’t agree on whether to bowl or play games, Pindustry solves that problem by offering both under one roof, along with a menu built for sharing and a bar that gets loud during Denver sports games.
It’s a good fit for bigger groups — birthday parties, office outings, bachelor and bachelorette groups — because there’s enough variety that not everyone has to want the same thing. The arcade section runs alongside the bowling lanes, so you can rotate between games without losing your group.
Colorado Pinball Pub — Littleton
Colorado Pinball Pub is the spot for people who take pinball seriously, or who want to figure out if they should. With more than 200 pinball and arcade machines packed into the Littleton location, it’s one of the largest pinball collections in the state, spanning everything from vintage electromechanical machines to modern licensed titles.
The bar side leans into craft beer and whiskey — it bills itself as a whiskey pub as much as an arcade, which sets a different tone than a typical game bar. It’s a better fit for a chill weeknight hang or a small group than a loud birthday party, though it still gets lively during happy hour.
Littleton puts this one a bit further from the DTC core than the Greenwood Village spots, but it’s worth the extra ten minutes if pinball variety is what you’re after.
Dave & Buster’s — Denver
Dave & Buster’s on South Colorado Blvd is the biggest, most all-in-one option on this list. It’s part arcade, part sports bar, part full-service restaurant, and it’s built for groups that want games, food, and drinks without having to plan three separate stops.
The arcade floor covers a wide range — modern redemption games, prize counters, VR experiences, and the kind of ticket-based games that make it a strong pick if kids or teenagers are part of your group, alongside a bar and dining room that cater to the adults in the party. It’s less “cool retro arcade” and more “reliable, big-box entertainment,” which is exactly what makes it a solid default when you’re not sure what everyone in the group actually wants to do.
How to Pick the Right One
- Want retro nostalgia and pinball variety? Colorado Pinball Pub in Littleton has the deepest machine collection in the area.
- Want a classic arcade-bar vibe with skeeball? 1UP Arcade Bar in Greenwood Village hits that note best.
- Planning a bigger group event with mixed interests? Pindustry’s bowling-plus-arcade combo gives everyone something to do.
- Need an all-ages option or a one-stop night out? Dave & Buster’s covers the widest range of games and dining in one building.
Tips Before You Go
- Check age policies. Most of these are bars first — 1UP, Pindustry, and Colorado Pinball Pub all serve alcohol and may have age restrictions after certain hours. Dave & Buster’s is the most family-friendly of the group during daytime hours.
- Ask about game pricing. 1UP and Colorado Pinball Pub generally include unlimited play with entry or a cover charge, while Dave & Buster’s runs on a card-and-credits system, so budget accordingly.
- Go on a weeknight for shorter waits. All four spots get busy on weekends, especially during Denver sports games. If you want popular machines or lanes without a wait, aim for an early weeknight visit.
- Call ahead for groups. If you’re bringing more than six or seven people, a quick call to confirm space — especially at Pindustry, which handles bowling reservations — saves a headache at the door.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best arcade in South Denver?
Is there a Dave & Buster’s near South Denver?
Are South Denver arcades good for kids?
Where can I find a good pinball bar near Greenwood Village?
What’s a good arcade spot for a group event or birthday party?
Final Take
South Denver doesn’t have one single “best” arcade — it has four genuinely different options depending on what kind of night you’re planning. 1UP Arcade Bar delivers the classic arcade-bar feel with skeeball in the mix. Pindustry solves the “what do we actually want to do” problem for bigger groups. Colorado Pinball Pub is the destination if pinball is the point. And Dave & Buster’s is the reliable, all-ages pick when you need one stop that works for everyone.
Pick based on your group and your mood, but any of these four beats another round of dinner-and-a-movie.
📍 1UP Arcade Bar — Greenwood Village
Address: 6864 S Clinton St, Greenwood Village, CO 80112
Phone: (303) 736-2230
📍 Pindustry
Address: 7939 E Arapahoe Rd, Greenwood Village, CO 80112
Phone: (720) 712-7467
📍 Colorado Pinball Pub
Address: 6209 S Santa Fe Dr, Littleton, CO 80120
Phone: (303) 598-4391
📍 Dave & Buster’s — Denver
Address: 2000 South Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80222
Phone: (303) 759-1515
South Denver Guide is a local resource for neighborhood guides, real estate insights, and things worth doing in South Denver. No fluff, just useful.
