Inside Fulton Market’s New Emporium Arcade Bar, Opening Tonight

The area’s first arcade bar brings the nostalgia

by Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel Nov 3, 2017, 3:20pm CDT

Photography by Barry Brecheisen

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 West Loop/Fulton Market’s first arcade bar debuts tonight, as Emporium Arcade Bar opens in the former Betty space at 839 W .Fulton Market. Emporium’s staff has crafted a cocktail program to roll with the trendy West Loop. Footman Hospitality, the company that owned The Betty, is operating this location.

The space is filled with vintage coin-operated games with titles including Double Dragon, Pac-Man, and Cruisin’ World. There’s also pool, foosball, and air hockey. Spot the mural painted by Erik Lundquist, Benjamin Marasco and Louie Capozzolo, and the black-lit painting by Lauren Asta.

There’s no food, but customers are encouraged to bringing in items from surrounding restaurants such as Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Shake Shack, and Beatrix.

Take a nostalgic tour and browse the photos below. Emporium Fulton Market officially opens tonight.

Emporium Fulton Market, 839 W. Fulton Market, (312) 733-2222, open 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Monday through Thursday; 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday; noon to 3 a.m. on Saturday; noon to 2 a.m. on Sunday.