Combine your love of food and gaming at these high-energy Toronto restaurants and bars.
There’s no doubt about it, Toronto’s esports industry is booming. So, it should come as no surprise that there’s a growing demand for restaurants and bars that cater to gamers, too. If you’re looking for classic arcade games and console stations, plus eats like homemade burgers and perogies, here are Toronto’s best restaurants and bars for gamers and esports fans.
1. National at The Well: Brand-new space with bowling, arcade games, a restaurant and more
Located in The Well, a pedestrian-first space on Front Street, National is a brand-new 800-person capacity multi-storey venue. The space’s slogan is “actually, it’s all fun and games,” thanks to its arcade, bowling alleys, air hockey tables and TV screens for sports streaming. Don’t forget the drinks (handcrafted cocktails, craft beer and local wine), plus a full menu including wood-fired pizzas and okonomiyaki tater tots. And there's a dance floor, too.
2. The Rec Room: High-tech arcade games and pub eats in the downtown core
The Rec Room, located right downtown across the street from the Rogers Centre and CN Tower, offers a variety of classic arcade games, like Mario Kart and Pac-Man, and recreational games, such as shooting hoops and hitting targets. With a sit-down restaurant and bar serving crowd favourites like mac and cheese and jumbo chicken wings, it’s the perfect spot to refuel after gaming at home, in the city or at the venue itself. Also, fun fact: the 30th anniversary of the Toronto Warcraft chapter took place here, which shows it’s a great locale for special events, too.
3. Tilt Arcade Bar: Retro games and craft beers in Toronto’s west end
Tilt Arcade Bar on Queen West is Toronto's largest retro arcade. It offers guests over 90 games to play, including classic arcade machines for Mortal Kombat 3 and Street Fighter II CE, plus pinball favourites like Addams Family and Stranger Things. For just $10, you can game for as long as you want. The bar also has 20 beers on tap, including a variety of craft options, alongside a full food menu with homemade burgers, fresh-cut fries, corn dogs and more. For fun city vibes, this is the go-to gaming destination in Toronto.
4. Zed*80 Arcade Bar: More retro games in a smaller and cozier space
ZED*80 Arcade Bar is run by the same folks behind Tilt Arcade Bar, but is a smaller and cozier space built for gamers who are chasing that old-school nostalgia with the likes of Dead or Alive 2 and Guitar Hero Arcade. Located in the Danforth neighbourhood, this retro arcade bar features over 40 arcade and pinball machines (cost: just $10 to play as long as you want), plus local brews and snacks like nachos, calamari and perogies to keep you fuelled up for a long night of gaming with friends.
5. See-Scape: Sci-fi atmosphere meets console games and themed drinks
See-Scape, located in the Junction neighbourhood, is considered to be the city’s original sci-fi and cyberpunk-themed bar and café. It’s also the dream hangout for console gamers as they have a massive library of video games across multiple generations of consoles such as Bloodborne and God of War. They also have over 300 board games, a partnership with Black Sheep Taqueria (yay tacos!), plus an alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink menu full of clever names. (Beam Me Up, Scotty, anyone?)
6. Snakes & Lattes: Cozy hangout spot with board games galore
Snakes & Lattes is more than just a board game café. With locations on College Street and in the Annex, the cozy vibe of each spot is great for a first date, catching up with friends or spending time with family. Each venue offers a full food and drink menu (we love the matcha lattes and skillet-baked cookies), alongside a library of hundreds of board games like Cards Against Humanity and Codenames. The friendly staff can help you pick the best game to match your group’s mood and even teach everyone how to play.
7. Freeplay Arcade Bar: Rare games and party vibes
Freeplay on College Street is packed with classic arcade games, pinball machines and console stations that aren’t commonly found elsewhere in Toronto. There are beloved classics such as Tetris, Mortal Kombat and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and rare gems like Dragon’s Lair. Don’t forget about the giant Jenga set on the second floor, too. There’s also a long list of craft beers on tap, appetizers like samosas and a dance floor and live DJ on weekends.
8. Escape Manor: Escape room, axe throwing and clever cocktails
Toronto has over 100 escape rooms in the city, and Escape Manor is one of the best. Located right downtown at King and Spadina, groups can test their wits with a themed escape-room adventure like Death Row, Sherwood Forest or Devil’s Advocate. They also offer guided axe throwing. After gaming, folks can enjoy tasty bites like spinach dip and pizza alongside local beers and cocktails full of clever references like the Obituaries Delight or Graveyard Shift.
9. For The Win Board Game Cafe & Bar: Non-stop board games and drinks, and snacks to match
In the north end of the city at Yonge and Lawrence, For The Win Board Game Cafe & Bar has over 1,000 board games to choose from, making it accessible for any size of group. From the competitive two-player 7 Wonders Duel to the family-friendly Ticket to Ride to the fun social deduction game Codenames, there's something for everyone. On the menu there’s expertly crafted cocktails made with fresh fruit juice, local beers and sandwiches and snacks like okonomiyaki fries and tempura shrimp.
