Level up Your Game: The Best Arcades Ottawa Has to Offer
If you ask me about one thing that I love about Ottawa, it’s the wide variety of entertainment options I can choose from. There’s no shortage of fun activities that I can do with friends and family here, and it’s just great!
One particular form of entertainment I want to talk about today is Ottawa’s arcades. My friends and I are quite avid gamers, and being able to choose from retro and contemporary games is just awesome for us during our game nights.
There are a lot of great arcades that exist in Ottawa, and I want to show you some of the best ones that you can experience for yourself.
Top 9 Arcades in Ottawa
There are plenty of arcades that you can choose from in Ottawa. I’ve listed 9 of the highest-rated places in the city in the table below.
House of Targ
Address: 1077 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3W9, Canada
Website: http://www.houseoftarg.com/
Must-try games: Pinball, Donkey Kong, Street Fighter
Let’s start things off with the House of Targ. This is one of the most popular arcade and live music venues located in Ottawa, and locals and tourists alike adore it.
The place combines the elements of a classic arcade, a pinball paradise, and a live music space, creating a unique and vibrant entertainment experience.
In terms of atmosphere, the House of Targ has a distinct and eclectic feel to it that blends retro nostalgia with modern elements.
The venue is known for its cozy and intimate setting, featuring dim lighting, brick walls adorned with vintage posters, and an overall underground vibe.
Now for the arcade section of House of Targ. The place boasts an impressive collection of classic and modern arcade games that can cater to pretty much everyone.
You can enjoy a variety of games, including popular titles such as Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and many more.
To ensure the best gaming experience possible, the staff makes sure that the arcade section is well-maintained. Games here are regularly updated to provide a diverse gaming experience and to keep things fresh.
Besides the arcade games, the House of Targ’s other main attraction is its pinball machines. It is particularly renowned for its extensive selection of machines that range from vintage to contemporary.
Pinball enthusiasts can find an array of machines spanning different eras, and you’re likely to find pinballs that are themed after some famous pop culture icons.
The venue takes pride in maintaining the pinball machines in excellent condition, ensuring an authentic and enjoyable pinball-playing experience.
If the pinball and arcade offerings aren’t enough for you, House of Targ also features a stage where live bands perform regularly. You can listen to a variety of music genres, including punk, rock, metal, and indie, attracting both local and touring acts.
This combination of arcade gaming and live music creates a vibrant and energetic atmosphere for visitors to enjoy.
Of course, we can’t talk about the House of Targ without talking about its menu. The place offers a unique twist by providing a menu focused on traditional Eastern European comfort food.
Indulge in delicious pierogies, schnitzel, and other tasty treats while enjoying the arcade and live music. The venue also features a fully stocked bar with a selection of craft beers and specialty cocktails.
Every so often, the House of Targ will also host events.
The management actively contributes to the local community by hosting various events and initiatives. These include arcade tournaments, pinball leagues, themed nights, and charity fundraisers.
The venue’s commitment to fostering a sense of community adds to its appeal among both regulars and newcomers.
If what you’re looking for is a vibrant and lively destination, then House of Targ will be one of your best options. It’s a lively destination that brings together arcade gaming, pinball, live music, and delicious food.
These things provide a unique and entertaining experience for visitors of all ages, making it a beloved spot in Ottawa’s entertainment scene.
The Neighbourhood Pub
Address: 2557 Baseline Rd, Ottawa, ON K2H 7B3, Canada
Social media page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057354493980
Must-try games: Galaga, NBA Jam, Pinball
The Neighbourhood Pub is a popular sports bar and pub located in the Westboro neighborhood of Ottawa. It offers a lively atmosphere with multiple TVs showing live sports events, a pool table, and a selection of arcade games.
The Neighbourhood Pub’s arcade games include classic games such as pinball machines, Pac-Man, and Galaga, as well as newer games like NBA Jam and Big Buck Hunter.
Besides the arcade, the pub also has other entertainment options. You can choose to play darts and shuffleboard with your friends if you want to take a break from video games.
One of the best things the pub offers is unlimited pinball every Wednesday, starting at 6 p.m. If you’re a hard-core pinball fan, you definitely want to give this one a shot!
In addition to the games, The Neighbourhood Pub offers a selection of pub-style food such as burgers, sandwiches, and nachos, as well as a variety of beers on tap and in bottles.
In case you want to do something besides playing at the arcade, the pub also hosts regular events such as trivia nights and live music performances.
Overall, I consider the Neighbourhood Pub to be a great option for those looking for a casual and fun atmosphere. It’s a great place to enjoy arcade games, watch sports events, and socialize with friends over delicious food and drinks.
Funhaven
Address: 1050 Baxter Rd, Ottawa, ON K2C 3P1, Canada
Website: https://www.funhaven.com/
Must-try games: Laser Tag, Air Hockey, Escape Rooms
For an arcade experience that younger people will enjoy, Funhaven is the way to go. It’s an indoor family entertainment center that offers a wide range of activities and attractions suitable for all ages.
One of the main attractions at Funhaven is its laser tag arena. Players can engage in a game of laser tag with friends or family, using laser guns to tag opponents and earn points.
This arena features multi-level platforms and various obstacles, along with hiding spots, to make the game more exciting. It really gets your adrenaline going!
Of course, you can also find an arcade here. It offers a few staple arcade games, such as the claw machine, a few racing games, and more, along with a prize counter should your kid collect enough tickets.
You can also find a mini-bowling alley and bumper cars if your kids want to try something other than video games.
Another popular attraction here is its indoor ropes course where participants can navigate through a series of obstacles and challenges, including zip lines and tightrope walks.
For a more vertical challenge, make sure to try the rock climbing wall. It’s decently tall, quite thrilling, and can give you quite the workout if you scale it.
If you and your kid are fans of escape rooms, Funhaven also offers a few different themed rooms where you can work together to solve puzzles and get out.
Once you’re done playing with the family, you can check out Funhaven’s restaurant, which serves a range of food, from snacks and appetizers to full meals.
If you’d like to have a party here, Funhaven also offers party packages for birthdays or other events, which include access to private party rooms and activities.
Nepean Putting Edge
Address: 5 Roydon Pl #1, Nepean, ON K2E 1A3, Canada
Website: https://www.puttingedge.com/locations/ottawa/
Must-try games: Minigolf, Flappy Bird, Jurassic Park Arcade
Love playing minigolf along with arcade games? Then you are going to love the Nepean Putting Edge.
It is an indoor mini-golf facility that features a black-light-illuminated course, which creates a unique and exciting experience for players. This was the first time I’ve tried playing minigolf in the dark with friends and family, and it was something else!
The course itself consists of 18 holes, each with its own unique obstacles and challenges. The neon colors and special effects add to the ambiance and make the course feel like a glowing wonderland.
In addition to mini-golf, Nepean Putting Edge also offers arcade games. You can find traditional games like the claw machine, air hockey, a Jurassic Park shooter game, and even a Flappy Bird machine.
You can also accumulate tickets from some of the machines to trade in for some pretty neat prizes.
Once you and your group are done playing, there’s a snack bar that’s available where you can grab a bite to eat or a drink after your game.
If you or someone you know wants to hold a birthday party at the Nepean Putting Edge, the place offers birthday party packages for children. It includes mini-golf and access to a private party room.
The Nepean Putting Edge is suitable for all ages, which is one of the main reasons why it’s such a popular destination for families, groups of friends, and even corporate events.
The facility is wheelchair accessible, and there are special accommodations for those with visual impairments. This makes it a pretty great place for just about anyone!
Level One Game Pub
Address: 14 Waller St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9C4, Canada
Website: https://levelonegamepub.com/
Must-try games: PS5 Games, Pac-Man, Settlers of Catan
Are you a hard-core gamer? If yes, then allow me to introduce you to Level One Game Pub.
This unique combination of restaurant and game pub not only has arcades but also features nearly every available gaming console that ever existed.
The main goal of this establishment is to offer a fun and social environment where you and your friends can enjoy delicious food and drinks while playing board games, card games, and other tabletop games.
You can find Gamecubes, N64s, NESs, Playstations 1 through 5, Xbox consoles, and more. If I were to describe Level One Game Pub, it would be a gamer’s paradise.
The pub has a wide selection of games, including popular titles like Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Cards Against Humanity, as well as more obscure and rare titles.
You can choose from the pub’s library or bring your games to play with friends or other patrons.
In addition to board games, Level One Game Pub also has a selection of classic arcade games, including pinball machines, Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong.
There are large-screen TVs showing live sports events, making it a great place to catch a game with friends.
Level One Game Pub’s menu is quite diverse. Management created it to accommodate various dietary requirements and tastes.
There are many options for vegetarians, vegans, and those with gluten sensitivities. You can also find a range of appetizers like sandwiches, burgers, and entrees, as well as a selection of craft beers and cocktails.
Needless to say, Level One Game Pub offers a fun and social atmosphere where guests can relax, socialize, and enjoy great food and drinks while playing games. It’s a great destination for friends, family, and coworkers.
Ottawa Pinball Arcade
Address: 2559 Baseline Rd, Ottawa, ON K2H 7B3, Canada
Website: https://ottawapinballarcade.ca/
Must-try games: Pinball
Pinball fanatics, this is the place for you. The Ottawa Pinball Arcade is a unique spot because it is dedicated solely to pinball machines.
The arcade features a wide variety of vintage and modern pinball machines, all of which are available for you to play.
The collection of pinball machines includes some rare and hard-to-find ones, as well as popular titles like Addams Family, Twilight Zone, and Attack From Mars.
The machines are all well-maintained and in excellent condition, ensuring that you and your friends will have a high-quality and enjoyable gaming experience.
The arcade is operated on a pay-per-play basis, with each game costing a certain number of tokens or coins. Visitors can purchase tokens at the front desk, and there are often special promotions and discounts available for regular visitors.
The Ottawa Pinball Arcade is also home to a small gift shop where visitors can purchase pinball-related merchandise, including T-shirts, posters, and other memorabilia.
There is also a small snack bar where you can purchase drinks and snacks for a quick break.
If what you want is a nostalgic experience, the Ottawa Pinball Arcade is the perfect place to go. It offers a unique experience that brings you back to the old days of arcades when pinball machines were all the rage.
With a wide variety of pinball machines to choose from and a welcoming and friendly atmosphere, the arcade is a great destination for pinball enthusiasts and casual gamers alike.
Room 104
Address: 104 Clarence St., Ottawa, ON K1N 5P6, Canada
Website: https://room104ottawa.com/
Must-try games: Rail Shooters, Racing Games, Mini Football
Want a more mature experience for your group? Make sure to drop by Room 104.
Located in the Historic Byward Market, this is a one-of-a-kind venue with over 500 square feet of functional indoor space.
With its pop culture design from the 1980s, this is another arcade that makes you feel like you traveled in a time machine back to more retro gaming times.
Games, chandeliers, plush leather banquettes, and colorful wall art are just a few things you can expect from Room 104. Not only that, but its massive capacity of 130 people makes it an incredible place to hold events.
Enjoy games of air hockey with your friends, play some mini football, or play thrilling rail shooters. The great variety of games available will definitely keep you entertained.
Then you have the cocktails, which come in a huge variety of flavors.
I’d consider this to be the perfect place to not only play games but also have a fun party with your friends, older family members, and co-workers.
VRAdventures.ZONE
Address: 1642 Merivale Rd Unit 300, Nepean, ON K2G 4A1, Canada
Website: https://www.vradventures.zone/
Must-try games: Beat Saber, Dragon Tower, Cosmodread
For something a bit more unique, why not give Ottawa VRAdventures.ZONE a try? As its name suggests, it’s a virtual reality arcade that offers a variety of VR experiences, including games, simulations, and educational programs.
In this venue, you can experience VR games such as Beat Saber, Space Pirate Trainer, and Superhot VR, as well as educational programs such as Apollo 11 VR and theBlu.
The arcade uses state-of-the-art virtual reality technology to create immersive experiences for its visitors. When you play VR games, it really makes you feel like you’re in the world itself!
Ottawa VRAdventures.ZONE offers individual and group bookings, and the arcade can accommodate up to 10 people at a time.
The staff is trained to assist customers with the VR equipment and to help them choose the best VR experiences based on their interests and skill levels.
In addition to individual bookings, Ottawa VRAdventures.ZONE also offers corporate team-building events and birthday party packages. Overall, it’s a great option for those looking for a unique and exciting entertainment experience in Ottawa.
Lasermaxx Ottawa
Address: 1800 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, ON K1G 1A2, Canada
Website: https://lasermaxxcanada.com/
Must-try games: Zombie Apocalypse, Capture the Flag
Ever tried an intense game of laser tag before? If you haven’t, then I strongly recommend that you go to Lasermaxx Ottawa.
This facility offers laser tag games for individuals and groups. You and your friends will wear special vests equipped with sensors and carry laser guns.
The main objective is to score points by “shooting” other players with the laser beams while avoiding being hit yourself.
Lasermaxx Ottawa offers a variety of laser tag games, including team games, individual games, and special game modes like “Zombie Apocalypse” and “Capture the Flag.”
The center also offers party packages for birthdays and other special occasions, as well as corporate team-building events.
In addition to laser tag, Lasermaxx Ottawa offers other activities such as an arcade with classic and modern video games, a snack bar, and private party rooms.
The center is open to all ages and is a popular destination for families, friends, and groups looking for a fun and exciting activity in Ottawa.