Entry No. 72 — the Oklahoma City file — filed under: arcade-play
FlashBack RetroPub
Open since 2015 in the Film Row district, FlashBack is a 21-and-up barcade packing over 100 arcade games from the '80s and '90s plus NES, SNES, Sega, and N64 consoles, all set to free play under one cover charge. The decor leans hard into the era, with lockers repurposed as a liquor cabinet, Rubik's Cube tables, and Lite-Brite signage. On weekends a DJ spins '80s music and the dance floor opens up. Over 100 craft beers and pop-culture-themed cocktails round it out.
The story
Film Row spent decades as a quiet strip of film exchanges and theater supply houses, but inside 814 West Sheridan Avenue, the late twentieth century was sealed in amber. Open since 2015, FlashBack RetroPub operates under a simple premise: skip the quarter-slot hustle entirely. Paying a single cover charge at the door unlocks unlimited free play across more than 100 original arcade cabinets from the 1980s and 1990s, alongside home-console lounges equipped with original NES, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and Nintendo 64 setups.
The interior styling commits hard to the bit without slipping into clean corporate nostalgia. High-school gym lockers have been welded into the main liquor cabinet, glowing Lite-Brite peg art forms the indoor bar signage, and drinking tables are built in the image of giant Rubik's Cubes. Behind the bar, staff tap over 100 craft beers and mix pop-culture-themed drinks beneath low neon glow, offering a heavy doses of hit nostalgia alongside titles like Pac-Man, Dig Dug, and Donkey Kong.
What it's like
Show up with your photo ID—this space is strictly 21-and-up at all times. You pay your cover charge at the door, after which your money is only good for drinks; every joystick, button, and console controller inside is set to unlimited free play. Weeknights offer a chill, roomier atmosphere ideal for marathon sessions on classic CRT monitors without a crowd standing over your shoulder, while weekend nights bring heavy crowds, a DJ spinning '80s hits, and a dance floor that opens up late.
The move: Pay the single cover, then go all-night free play together, taking turns defending a Mortal Kombat throne before slow-dancing badly on the '80s dance floor.
📍 Before you go 21+ only; entry is a cover charge for unlimited free play. DJ and dance floor are weekend-nights.
- 📍 Film Row / West Village
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Big night
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 814 W Sheridan Ave Suite A, Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Sailor and the Dock — Walk two blocks down Film Row to swap 1980s arcade neon for an eco-arts warehouse built around a grounded Lake Hefner sailboat.
- The Vault at The National — Contrast low-brow 8-bit cabinet buttons with high-end subterranean cocktails tucked inside a 1931 bank vault.
- Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge — Shift your nostalgic timeline from 1980s video arcades to wood-paneled 1970s bowling lanes less than a mile away in Midtown.
Good to know
Do I need quarters or tokens to play the arcade games?
No quarters needed. You pay a single cover charge upon entry for unlimited free play on every arcade cabinet and gaming console in the venue.
Are kids allowed during afternoon or early evening hours?
No. FlashBack RetroPub is strictly 21-and-over at all times.
What kind of drinks are available?
The venue features over 100 craft beers (including local Oklahoma breweries) and a cocktail menu themed around 1980s pop culture.
When does the dance floor open?
The DJ and dance floor operate on weekend nights, turning the back of the arcade into an '80s dance party.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Yelp · travelok.com · visitokc.com
last checked: 2026-06-23