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Amid a modern-day renaissance of all things retro, a new East Nashville arcade bar is transporting customers back to the good ol’ days. Originally established in Des Moines in 2013, Up-Down Nashville marks the company’s first location in Tennessee, bringing with it all the games, drinks, pizza, and fun your nostalgic heart desires.
Located in the Five Points neighborhood, Up-Down is home to more than 80 vintage ’80s and ’90s classic arcade games, pinball machines, classic Skee-ball alleys, Nintendo 64 console gaming, and more. Each game is one token per play with tokens costing just 25 cents. And thanks to in-house game techs, out-of- order machines are a thing of the past as games can quickly be repaired on-site while routine maintenance keeps them in pristine playing condition.
The 21-plus venue boasts two floors, two bars, and plenty of outdoor space including large rooftop, side, and soon-to-open front patios, providing ample space to enjoy all that Up-Down has to offer.
“I couldn’t be more excited about the opening. We really hope people enjoy Up-Down as much as we do,” says Josh Ivy, co-owner.” We are very appreciative of all the people in Nashville who encouraged and supported us through everything that’s happened with the tornado, the pandemic, and the fire, and we plan to have a positive impact on Five Points for many years to come.”
At Up-Down the food and beverages are just as enticing as the games themselves. Choose from more than 60 beers on tap or grab a cocktail from the curated craft cocktail menu to sip as you play. And no matter when your hunger strikes, house-made pizza by-the-slice is available to order during all hours of operation (until 3 a.m.). Committed to providing a unique bar experience, Up-Down incorporates beloved elements from the ’80s and ’90s and blends them with the best of the present for an atmosphere all its own. Classic movies from the beloved eras play on TVs throughout the bar, and a modern playlist serves as a soundtrack throughout the unique space. Also exclusive to the arcade’s environment is the belief that customers should never have to wait more than a few minutes to grab a drink. With two bars to choose from, the speed at which customers are served is a top priority. Anything less is game over.
“I am really proud of how the space looks and feels,” says Up-Down Nashville manager Austin Barth. “I couldn’t be more excited for people to finally get a chance to see it and enjoy it for themselves. I know our customers are really going to be impressed.”
Whether you’re on the patio playing life-sized Jenga and Connect Four, tearing up the dance floor in a game of Dance Dance Revolution inside the arcade, or catching up with friends over pizza and a beer, Up-Down offers something for everyone. Because here, living in the present coincides with all the joys of the past. (927 Woodland St., 615-226-3734; updownarcadebar.com/Nashville)