Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
Garlic Cheese Dippers
Swanee's Soft Pretzels
Asetto Salami And Provolone
Triptych Dank Meme
About
8 Bit Arcade Bar
Welcome to the 8 Bit Arcade Bar, the vibrant hotspot in downtown Peoria that perfectly blends nostalgia with modern-day fun. Located at 619 Southwest Water Street, this unique venue promises an exciting experience where craft beer meets retro arcade gaming.
The moment you step inside 8 Bit Arcade Bar, you're greeted by an atmosphere steeped in pixelated charm. This isn’t just another local bar; it’s a destination for gamers and craft beer enthusiasts alike. Visitors have raved about the impeccable vibe and extensive drink selection, boasting over 150 craft beers that cater to every palate, ensuring there's always something new to try.
What truly sets 8 Bit apart is its fusion of free-play arcade games with a stellar beverage program. Guests can immerse themselves in classic games like Mortal Kombat and NFL Blitz 99, all without the hassle of quarters. The combination of crisp, cold beers and nostalgic gaming provides an unbeatable experience. As one delighted customer noted, “It’s a fair trade-off to load your belly up with beer instead of pockets full of coins.”
While the entertainment takes center stage, the food menu should not be overlooked. From Garlic Cheese Dippers to Swanee's Soft Pretzels, the offerings are designed to complement your gaming experience. The bar also serves a rotation of homemade treats like Apple Pie Shots that provide a sweet finish to your visit.
- Beer Highlights: Enjoy options like Triptych Dank Meme, Stone Xocoveza Hot Chocolate Stout, or seasonal favorites from Great Lakes.
- Gaming Variety: Explore a broad range of classic and lesser-known arcade titles that cater to both retro lovers and newcomers.
- A Comfy Environment: The bar's interior exudes warmth, with an inviting beergarden that enhances your relaxation after a long day.
This place isn’t just about great drinks and games; it's also about community and connection. Local patrons and visitors alike have shared heartwarming experiences, and the friendly staff often become part of the fun. Whether you’re a local or just passing through Peoria, the 8 Bit Arcade Bar is a must-visit destination that thrives on the essence of joy, friendship, and gaming.
So gather your friends, grab a drink, and challenge each other in a lively game of skill and nostalgia. 8 Bit Arcade Bar isn’t just a venue; it’s an unforgettable experience waiting to happen. Don’t miss out!
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“ January 8, 2025: Really cool bar AND arcade. TONS of beer (150 beers). Didn't get to try the food but impeccable vibe. Will be back, when next in the area. ”
“ I was visiting Peoria from California and stopped in here on a Monday night at the suggestion of some locals. Boy am I glad I listened! Bartender was the sweetest woman, and all the drinks were great. I also love that 99% of the games are free to play, and there's a great variety! I had a lot of fun here and recommend it. ”
“ Review Date: July 24th, 2016 Beer, arcade games and friends. My kind of place. Growing up, I got involved in playing video games thanks to my father and friends. Everything from Atari to Sega Genesis to Super Nintendo to Gameboy; everything in-between and everything after. Once I was legally allowed to enjoy adult beverages, I grew to enjoy beer a few years later. Shortly after, 8 Bit opened up. Having a lifelong love for video games and a recently acquired taste for beer, I gathered a few of my nerdy friends up and headed that way. 8 Bit is a pretty unique place. It’s a bar that is also an arcade. It looks like a normal business situated at the end of a building but inside is a different story. Upon walking, you get the feeling you are in a house. You have some stairs that lead up to... somewhere. Off to the right of the entrance is the smallish bar. Between the bar tables and the machines, it can get pretty packed with just a handful of people. As you deviate from the bar, you’ll find yourself in a hallway that has one machine at the end on the left, that is tucked under the stairs. Next to that is a room that full of 6-8 games (it could vary, I am not sure). Going back in to the hallway, you’ll find the next room down on the left. That room is L-shaped and has maybe 12 games in it. At the end of the hallway, are the bathrooms. All the games are free to play as long as you are ordering drinks and spending money. Instead of loading your pockets full of quarters, you just have to load your belly up with beer. A fair trade off in my opinion. The beercade has a nice beergarden to enjoy. On my first visit here, my friends and I ordered a few drinks and headed outside to play some Pokemon Go. After polishing off my beer, I noticed there was a window in which you could order beer from the bar through. That is exactly what I did. I ordered another beer through the window. I thought that was pretty cool. While we were there playing Pokemon Go, another group of people came in and was playing Pokemon Go. We noticed they were playing as we kept battling for the Gym that was located nearby. At one point, that group sent someone out to spy on us as we battled for the gym. After noticing the other group was taking this too serious, we decided to close the app, head inside and play the arcade games. The selection of arcade games is about your standard fare. There are your usual games but they also had a few games I’ve never seen before. We played games for a bit longer before heading out. Now, this wasn’t my only time I have come here. Ever since this visit, I have been back a few times with various other friends. Each visit has been unique. The first time I went, they offered food. The subsequent visits had no food options due to law changes. The last time I went was in late 2019 and they had this sweet system set up at the bar. It was operated with some aftermarket SNES controller and had almost every retro game available. My friend Nate and I spent more time browsing the catalog than gaming. It was such a sweet system and I wish I had it at home. Stay nerdy :3 ”
“ A true gem. One of the coolest places to hang out and have a drink in downtown Peoria. Great for playing arcade games but even better if you’re a fan of craft beer. Awesome rotating options on tap and a killer line up of cans and bottles available as well. Do yourself a favor and check this place out if you find yourself in the area. ”
“ A really neat place to have fun! All the video games except Skee Ball are free play. Skee ball is 1 per game and takes singles only - the bartender was able to give us singles for larger bills so we could play. Enjoyed a few throwbacks like Mortal Kombat, Turtles, Golden Tee and NFL Blitz 99 as well. The beer was cold and not expensive, they had a good draft list here too. Bartender was attentive and friendly. Definitely a fun place to hang out and be entertained for an hour or two! ”
“ This place has changed a lot since I visited several years ago. It's expanded into a larger room (it's the old Rhodell's) and seems to have likewise expanded its game selection. Seems like there's a game from every era of arcades, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, TMNT, Street Fighter, Rampage, and more. All the games are free as long as you purchase something from the bar. I think it's way more fun than an average bar. ”
“ We just happened in here after a show at the Civic Center and had the best service we had all weekend. ”
“ We didn’t try any of the food but the drinks were delicious. I highly recommend the princess peach. The atmosphere was chill. There are a ton of arcade games to play. Lots of childhood favorites! All games are free with a purchase, doesn’t matter what it is. Only game that cost is Skee ball and it’s 1 a game. A total of 5 drinks was under 30. We had a good time and look forward to going back in the future. ”