Ofcourse. They are 99% of the time a horrible investment for long term.

This is true. Some of these places are also owned by bar groups or by young folks with money and with other interests. I feel like if the market sours, these will shutter like the themed bars just before them. The Namco one should be fun to watch. I'm not going to worry about it too much, though. While I spend a lot of my time at Logan (fantastic variety everywhere), I go to both HQs (top ten titles for days; games I cannot afford) and both Emporiums (to shake it up a bit). I'm just gonna soak this resurgence up like a fella born in 1979 should. I love it!

Horrible investments are always the most fun, though!

Emporium Logan Square is already shying away from their "table edition" idea. They recently hauled in like 20 vids. You wouldn't notice it with all of that space. They should have added like 5 more air hockey tables.

I guess this follows my "logic" of bad decisions make the best stories...

Investments and women.

Might be visiting the Loop area in a month or two. Any good Barcades near there? I keep hearing from people how many there are!

I'm going to visit Chicago this week, I'll definitely visit Logan's this time (to play MMR). Don't think you can have too many barcades

The radio station?

Logan.

I LOVE KILLER QUEEN!

The loop, it's one of the most important parts of the city.

I kid, I kid. I thought Ben was being sarcastic for some reason.

If you're in The Loop, you can pretty much get to any of them by train with little effort. With Headquarters River North being the closest, you could probably take a cab there inexpensively. Otherwise, it's off of the Chicago Ave stop on the Brown Line (Kimball).

Train stops from downtown for the others: HQ Lakeview, Diversey stop on the Brown Line (Kimball); Emporium Wicker Park, Damen stop on the Blue Line (O'Hare); Emporium Logan Square & Logan Arcade, California stop on the Blue Line (O'Hare). Alternatively, for Logan Arcade, you can get off at Western on the Blue Line (O'Hare) and it's a 1/2 mile north on Western until you get to Fullerton Ave.

Okay, I wasn't sure, but was totally thinking in my head "is this guy serious?". Given you just provided awesome directions, you clearly know the city. Cheers

Unfortunately, there's not a single pinball machine in the entire loop that I'm aware of. If somebody knows one, speak up! I need somewhere to burn my quarters during lunch.

There's a beat up Sopranos at Dick's Last Resort on Dearborn right near the river. The safe didn't register hits and it was dirty, but it worked alright.

Talk your boss into leasing one, I have a few offices that I lease to.

Thanks, I'll check it out!

I'm working on it. A ping pong table is probably coming, so won't be much of a leap from there, right??

I remember when there was a lot of them. Bally had their Aladdin's Castle in the loop and there was another arcade on Randolph (South side of the street) between State & Dearborn.

Is that Block 37 now?

Yep, the building that housed the arcade came down in 1989 for the Block 37 Project. What a clusterfcuk that turned out to be.

I saw a prototype Strikes & Spares at that arcade in early 1978.

My son and I caught Headquaters (river north) when it opened friday afternoon got to play many machines but Tron was down with a flipper problem. We had a great time, he went to go with friends this sat night same location there was a line around the block so they left.

Glad you had a good time. Yea the lines at the two locations can get to be a little out of control. Its crazy considering how large the place is both up and down stairs combined. Hopefully they find their way back down there on a night that they don't have a wait to get in. If they are headed down a particular day send me a PM, I'll see if I can get them past the line.

Thats what I told my wife about the strippers...

Thanks man. They also have a POTC now. Safe still doesn't register, but it's more than I've had before!

I was wondering myself when the barcade bubble will burst. Judging by the crowds at places like Headquarters, most of them go to party first with gaming more of a novelty experience. I think once that grows thin, they have have trouble.. but I don't really know. Logan has more of a mixed crowd with quite a few people that go to actually play games and the atmosphere is a lot more chill to just hang and have a few drinks without it being too loud and clubby.

I really have no idea how all 7 barcades (!) will be able to survive in the long run, but I hope they do! So far the 4 that I go to been to seem to be pretty busy though most of the nights. Totally forgot about the ones in Uptown that are opening. Lets not forget the the (non, bar)arcades in the suburbs too like the amazing Galloping Ghost in Brookfield and the Underground Retrocade in Dundee.. pure craziness. Great time to be a gamer in Chicago.. that's for sure!

I see Logan as becoming a lone survivor, based on your same observations. Headquarters, while great and in a excellent location for revenue. Has a turn over crowd from other walking distance Clark and Sheffield bars. In that area for the people, it's all about what's new and trendy. Logan is creating a destination atmosphere. Anyway, I think this wont be a issue for the next 3-4 years.

Now Replay is opening another location in Andersonville? I can't keep up!

http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/65005249