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UPDATED: Level Up-town: Uptown Arcade Bar Plans Spring Opening

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Aims to take over former Annoyance Theater space on Broadway.

Uptown Arcade Bar's space
Uptown Arcade Bar's space
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Ashok Selvam is the editor of Eater Chicago and a native Chicagoan armed with more than two decades of award-winning journalism. Now covering the world of restaurants and food, his nut graphs are super nutty.

The arcade bar fever continues to sweep Chicago, as Uptown Arcade Bar plans a spring opening inside the former Annoyance Theater space on Broadway.

Patrons will be able to drink from a variety of craft beers in draft, bottle and can form, as well as sip on a selection of more than 30 small-batch whiskeys. Uptown Arcade Bar general manager Aaron Allen promises a "small, but dedicated craft cocktail list" as well.

The arcade bar, 4830 N. Broadway St., will be a stone's throw from the Aragon Ballroom and Riviera Theater.

"After looking extensively around the Chicago neighborhoods, we chose Uptown because we felt it was rather underserved regarding this type of entertainment," Allen wrote in an e-mail. "Uptown has such a music heavy presence that we are hoping to offer a before or after experience to those coming to see a show at one of the historic music venues."

There's no kitchen on premises, but patrons are encouraged to bring their own. And that's huge with "Asia on Argyle" nearby: Yes, bahn mi and NBA Jam could be one of the many possibilities for patrons. Allen said they'll feature more than 35 arcade games cabinets from the 1970s through the 1990s.

Much like the set-up at the Annoyance Theater, where a bar stood in the front and the performing space was in the rear, Uptown Arcade Bar's space will be split into two. There's the front bar with stools and booths, a quieter area for folks to chill. The back area will house the games "for all the blips and beeps," Allen added.

For those counting Barcade-like spots at home: Chicago has two Emporium Arcade Bars, two Headquarters Beercades and Logan Arcade. Are we missing any others?

UPDATE: An alert reader points out there's also Replay Beer & Bourbon, 3468 N. Halsted St.

UPDATE: Allen says the video games will be free to play.

Riviera Theatre

4746 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60640 (773) 275-6800

Aragon Entertainment Center

1106 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60640 (773) 561-9500 Visit Website