Experiences
The 6 Best Arcade Bars in London
Neon basements, 50p classics and cocktails named after game villains: London's best arcade bars.
In short: our top picks are NQ64 Soho, NQ64 Shoreditch and Four Quarters. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
The arcade bar is one of London’s great inventions, a room full of retro machines and a proper cocktail list in equal measure. NQ64 does the neon-basement version with drinks named after game villains, Four Quarters runs its lovingly restored classics on 50p quarters, and Soho hides a clutch of old-school gaming dens. It is a night out that turns competitive fast. Load up on tokens, pick your machine and settle the score over a drink.
| Place | Area |
|---|---|
| NQ64 Soho | Soho |
| NQ64 Shoreditch | Shoreditch |
| Four Quarters | Peckham |
| Las Vegas Arcade | Soho |
| Loading Bar | Soho |
| Kongs | Soho |
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Editor’s choice
NQ64 Soho
Why we pick itA neon basement of arcade classics and console throwbacks, with cult cocktails named after video-game villains.
retro arcade bar
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NQ64 Shoreditch
Why we pick itThe east London NQ64, the same wall of arcade machines and retro consoles with a full cocktail list.
retro arcade bar
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Four Quarters
Why we pick itLovingly restored 70s-to-90s machines run on 50p quarters, with sites in Peckham, Hackney and Elephant.
quarter-op arcade bar
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Las Vegas Arcade
Why we pick itA famous Soho basement arcade, a slice of old-school coin-op gaming off Wardour Street.
classic Soho arcade
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Loading Bar
Why we pick itA gaming bar with pinball, retro consoles and free play if you are drinking, near Leicester Square.
gaming bar
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Kongs
Why we pick itA Soho arcade bar of beer pong, retro machines and frozen cocktails over two lively floors.
arcade and pong bar
Before you book
Most are free to enter and you pay per game with tokens or coins, so bring change or buy a card at the bar. They get busy and loud on weekend nights, and some run over-18s door policies after a certain hour. Games range from 70s classics to modern consoles, so there is something whatever you grew up on.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
NQ64 Soho is our editor's choice: A neon basement of arcade classics and console throwbacks, with cult cocktails named after video-game villains. NQ64 Soho, NQ64 Shoreditch and Four Quarters lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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