It's game on at some of the best arcades in London. Whether you're serious about Time Crisis or known to button bash on Tekken, a new era of competitive socialising is here and it includes great cocktails, must-try date nights and all the vintage machines these venues can muster. Our choice? Crazy Taxi, of course.
Last edited by Scarlett Welch
Last updated on 13th March 2025
A Battersea pub with a hidden gaming secret on its top floor, The Four Thieves are great for a brunch, beer, and when that competitive spirit kicks in? One of the best indoor arcades in London. Head upstairs to the Victorian-style music hall where you can try everything from dance machines and Time Crisis to racing simulators or their famous Moonshine Raceway, where you'll speed your professional remote controlled vehicles around a proper track.
Games and Crash Bandicoot cocktails (Aku Aku Fruit Punch, anyone?) are on the cards over at the neon-splattered NQ64. With sites in Soho and Shoreditch, this arcade bar in London is a hangout for really getting your performance game on across Guitar Hero and Dancing Stage. Plus, if you're more of a button basher, then there's everything from Street Fighter and other retro arcade games to retro consoles like MegaDrive, original PlayStations or Super Nintendo waiting too.
Fancy retro arcades in London? Giving you old-school American vibes in various locations such as Peckham, Hackney and Elephant and Castle, Four Quarters promises themed cocktails, an impressive happy hour and gaming across a choice of 15 original, restored arcade cabs (dating from the late 70s up to the early 2000s) or 10 retro consoles. This is the ultimate hit of nostalgia, taking you back to the good ol' days of Pac-Man, Space Invaders and Asteroids.
While Plonk might be known for its fun miniature golf sessions, the venue also offers some of the best arcade games for adults in London at the Hackney location. Grab a cocktail and get stuck into a plethora of machines from classics such as pinball to Point Blank and more, as well as stacks-upon-stacks of boardgames for some at-the-table action.
Though it's not technically an arcade, Pretty Decent Victoria Park Taproom is a trendy bar that's complete with all kinds of fun retro arcade games, as well as table football. It's run by Pretty Decent Beer Co, who are an East London-based brewery that sling out all kinds of pale ales, lagers and stouts from their Czech side-pour taps.
There are also low-intervention wines, cocktails, and even slushies, so there's something for everyone here. Expect a buzzing atmosphere and long, communal tables in their beer hall, and if you visit on Thursdays you can even nab £4 pints as they reveal their new creations.
Set across two floors in Camden, Babylon Park is a fabulous place to channel your inner kid. Along with a mini roller coaster and drop tower for the ultimate indoor theme park vibes, the venue boasts over 100 cool arcade games and classic amusements to keep everyone entertained. Entry is free, and you can use an app, card or RFID bracelets to nab your coins for each game across the cashless venue. One of the best arcades for kids in London? You betcha.
QUEENS Skate Dine Bowl is a mega arcade experience near Notting Hill. When you're not on their Cruis'n Blast racing games from Nintendo or hitting up Tetris, air hockey and basketball, there's bowling, ice skating and burgers from trusted junk food specialists MEATLiquor to keep you satisfied.
Taking the usual offering up a notch, F1® Arcade is your home of world-first, official simulation racing from Formula 1®. Thanks to full-motion and audio-visual effects, 69 state of the art racing simulators will immerse you in an experience of famous tracks across the world, from Silverstone to Suzuka. Not only will you be able to zoom around and get your adrenaline pumping across competitive meets, but also grab refreshments like cocktails, beer, sharing plates, tacos and burgers at the bar.
One of the most nostalgic spots in the city, Fairgame in Canary Wharf is designed like a fairground - but it's only for adults. They've reimagined all your favourite childhood games, from Whac-A-Mole to Shoot the Clown, found in a colourful, Instagrammable space that will let you unleash your inner big kid.
Their innovative wristband technology will track your scores for you, logging your positions on the leaderboard so you can compare with your friends. There's scrumptious street food available from Rudy's Pizza, the Taco Collective and Burger & Beyond, as well as creative cocktails from the bar - we recommend the popcorn old fashioned.
