Emporium Arcade Bar Officially Opens Tuesday at 5 p.m.

After a successful test run this weekend, Emporium Arcade Bar will open its doors in Wicker Park on Tuesday. The bar, originally slated to open in March, will feature 37 arcade and pinball games like Ms. Pacman, Donkey Kong, Punch Out and Mortal Kombat. The bar even has a change machine that spits out custom Emporium 25 cent tokens.

The draw, however, isn't just for the games but the rotating taps of craft beers (with a focus on Midwestern beers) and the high-end whiskey selection. They will also have a full bar with a handful of arcade-themed signature cocktails. The owners, Danny and Doug Marks really want this to be a great bar where everyone comes to hang out, not just to play games.

The space itself is open with a number of four-top tables placed in the front and back of the bar. The walls are a mixture of exposed brick and wood reclaimed from an old barn in Michigan. The pressed tin ceiling, original to the space, adds character. Two flat-screen TVs straddle either side of the long central bar, but don't expect this to turn into a sports bar. Key sporting events will be played, but the rest of the time expect bad classic '80s movies.

The real focal point is the back wall of the bar that has the 24 taps as a centerpiece straight across. For the opening, the beers on tap will include: Dogfish Head Raison D’Etre, Abita Turbodog, Central Waters Satin Solstice, Goose Island Green Line, Innis and Gunn Barrel Aged, Metropolitan Ironworks Alt, North Coast Pranqster and Ommegang 3 Philosophers. The beer will rotate on a regular basis.

Want something to soak up those beers? The bar is BYOF so feel free to bring in your favorite food (maybe grab something from Gunner's, like the Hog's Boss, or Antique Taco, both just up the street). The owners are also playing around with featuring DJs every once in a while, but will always have tunes playing on their sound system. Emporium is open Monday-Friday 5 p.m.-2 a.m., and will open on weekends at 12 p.m. Saturdays they stay open until 3 a.m.
· Emporium Arcade Bar Opening in March [~EChi~]
· Emporium Arcade Bar [website]

[Photo: Thrillist]