Game Night at Emporium Arcade Bar
Is it an arcade, a bar, or a night club? I can't tell
The Emporium is such a strange and chaotic place. Located in Lower Haight a block away from the Painted Ladies, the Emporium is a barcade (bar + arcade) with an identity crisis. It can’t choose whether it wants to be a bar, arcade, or night club. The first floor is decked out with every arcade game you can think of from Skee Ball machines to Dance Dance Revolution. There are two floors of bars where you can order interesting cocktails and play pool. They also have a DJ blasting music while playing old movie scenes in the background. It is such a versatile place great for organized events, dates, or just a night out with friends.
The Arcade Games
The arcade games will take you back in time. They are the most fun and unique things about Emporium. To play the games, you have to get tokens from the token machines in exchange for cash, so bring a little bit of cash with you.
Don’t get too many tokens. $5-$10 is more than plenty for a night of games. You’re going to have to bring home a stack of tokens otherwise
The variety of games they have at the Emporium is impressive. Some of my favorites are skee ball, mini hoops, Street Fighter, Pac Man 4 way, Killer Queen, and shuffleboard. During my birthday visit, I discovered this four player NBA arcade game that was way more fun than NBA 2K. They also have classic games you’d find in bars / lounges, 4 pool tables, 2 foosball tables, 2 air hockey tables, and a shuffleboard.
Vibes
I appreciate how the Emporium never is uncomfortably packed. I find it really fun to go on weekdays, where the crowd is much smaller and you don’t have to wait in line for games. On weekends, it’s more crowded and you’ll find yourself waiting for the more popular games.
One complaint I have about the place is that they often play their music too loud. I see it more of a casual social place meant for conversation, and not a club. There are nights where they bring in live DJ’s, but most people aren’t dancing at Emporium.
The arcade games are definitely the highlight of the place, as it’ll always provide something to do for you and your friends. All of the arcade games are on the main floor, along with the bar. The upstairs area is a more relaxed environment where they have a bar, two pool tables, benches, and a balcony where you can escape from the crowd.