Entry No. 73 — the Oklahoma City file — filed under: arcade-play
Up-Down OKC
Up-Down packs 70-plus '80s and '90s arcade cabinets, pinball, and four skee-ball lanes into a 21-and-up bar in the Plaza District, with everything still priced at a quarter a play. There's Nintendo 64 on a projection screen, life-size Jenga and Connect Four, and a rooftop patio for when you need air. House-made pizza by the slice and a deep craft beer list keep you fed between rounds.
The story
In the heart of the Plaza District on 16th Street, Up-Down drops you into a quarter-fueled fever dream of '80s and '90s nostalgia. Every single cabinet out of the 70-plus on the floor—along with the pinball lineup and four dedicated skee-ball lanes—still operates on real quarter slots at twenty-five cents a play. No digital game cards, no inflated credit systems, just cold metal coins.
The food and drink setup isn't a sideshow either. The bar runs nearly 40 craft beer taps alongside dozens of bottled and canned beers, paired with house-made pizza served by the slice. Between four-player Mario Kart runs on the N64 projection screen and oversized Jenga on the floor, you can always retreat up to the rooftop patio when you need a breath of fresh air away from the CRT monitor glare.
What it's like
Expect a loud, high-energy floor soaked in arcade chimes and screen light. The ID check at the door is non-negotiable—it is strictly 21-plus at all times, even during daytime weekend hours. Get a roll of quarters charged to your bar tab along with a craft beer, challenge someone on the skee-ball lanes, and grab a slice of pizza. If the lower level gets packed on weekend nights, retreat upstairs to the rooftop deck.
The move: Grab a roll of quarters and a couple of beers, run a skee-ball best-of-five, then take pizza slices up to the rooftop.
📍 Before you go Strictly 21+ to enter, even early. Opens 3pm weekdays, 11am weekends.
- 📍 Plaza District
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Big night
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1629 NW 16th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Good for a Few — Balance out a loud, high-decibel arcade session with a quiet cocktail hidden behind the bookshelves at Fine Print bookstore nearby.
- Dig It — Browse vintage vinyl, VHS tapes, and '90s culture gear down the block before plugging quarters into matching era arcade cabinets.
- Terra Stone — Ground your senses in a quiet crystal and apothecary shop just down 16th Street before stepping into the flashing lights of the arcade.
Good to know
How much do games cost at Up-Down?
Every classic arcade cabinet, pinball machine, and skee-ball lane costs a single quarter ($0.25) per play.
Can I bring anyone under 21 during daytime hours?
No. Up-Down is strictly 21-and-up at all times, including daytime hours on weekends.
Do I need to bring physical quarters with you?
No. You can get rolls of quarters directly from the bar and put them on your drink tab, or use cash in the change machines.
What kind of food and drink do they serve?
They serve house-made pizza by the slice and feature around 40 craft beers on tap, plus dozens of bottled and canned options.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: updownarcadebar.com · plazadistrict.org · travelok.com · visitokc.com · beermenus.com · Facebook
last checked: 2026-06-23