After bringing old-school arcade cabinets and pinball tables to Wicker Park and Logan Square (not to mention the departed Stranger Things pop-up), Emporium Arcade Bar is offering gamers a new place to set high scores at its Fulton Market location. Taking over the space formerly occupied by the Betty (839 W Fulton Market), the nostalgic bar's latest outpost houses pool tables, air hockey, foosball, Centipede and a Sopranos pinball machine. Like the other two Emporium bars, there's local art incorporated into the room's design, including a glowing, black light-illuminated painting by Lauren Asta and an expansive collaborative mural by Erik Lundquist, Benjamin Marasco and Louie Capozzoli that wraps around the top of the room.
Flashing ‘80s arcade classics and analog games of skill aren't the only attractions at the Fulton Market hangout—there's also a full bar serving a selection of local beers on draft and in cans. A cocktail menu includes plenty of mixed beverages to sip while you play Pac-Man, including the colorful Cooley High, made with Clyde Mays Alabama Whiskey, banana liqueur, lemon, absinthe and topped with bright red Peychaud bitters. If you're a fan of brown liquor, try the Old Man Fire, which combines cognac, bourbon, brown sugar chai tea syrup, cranberry bitters and lemon.
You won't be able to order food at the bar, but guests can bring in their own bites, including takeout from neighboring restaurants such as Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken, Publican Quality Meats, Cemitas Puebla and Kuma's Corner (which pairs nicely with a game of Burgertime). Emporium Fulton Market officially opens for business tonight at 5pm—stop by Monday through Thursday from 4pm to 2am, Friday from 3pm to 2am, Saturday from noon to 3am and Sunday from noon to 2am.
Admire the murals and vintage electronics inside Chicago's latest arcade bar by scrolling through our photos of the new space.
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas