Ground Kontrol
511 NW Couch St. Portland, OR 97209Phone: (503) 796.9364
Located in: Northwest Portland & near Downtown Portland - Visit Website
BarFly's Review of Ground Kontrol
Dude, it's Ground Kontrol. It's the greatest arcade, like, ever. Completely remodeled. Totally sweet everything.
Every classic arcade game under the sun, pinball galore (26 machines at last count), and alcohol. 'Nuff said. Oh, yeah, really cool deejay nights, too, and the most full-fledged Rock Band night in town.
New Tron-themed layout, more lounge-y space, food, upgraded bathrooms. On the third Thursday and last Wednesday of each month, they do a $5 cover and put all the machines on free play. Kind of awesome. Last Thursday is Video Game Quiz Show night, which is sort of what it sounds like.
Also, we would like to point out that on BarFly's online update form, Ground Kontrol checked the box indicating that they saw themselves as a "Meat Market," indicating either an adorable delusion or the existence of a way to get laid playing Dig Dug of which we were not previously aware.
Noon-late 7 days. Alcohol service starting at 5PM daily, all ages prior.
Sunday: Black Sunday - 1st of the month DJ NATE C
Monday - SIN, DPSST, Food Handlers Card, OLCC
$1 off beer or wine, 7 - close
Industrial DJs (laser lights and DJ Tibin)
Tuesday - Rock Band 3 video game night, $1 per song
(Rick Band karaoke yeeeeah! Check out RockBandTuesdays on FaceBook.)
Wednesdays - TRONix rotating electronic DJs & live perform
Last Wednesday/each month Free Play $5
Thursdays - 2nd Thursday of the month, Free Play $5
Fridays - Journeys by DJ, hip-hop, electro, dub, dance and more
Saturdays - Reaganomix - 80s DJs play new wave, pop, mash-ups and electro, 9pm - close
| Ground Kontrol's Happy Hours | |
|---|---|
| Monday | $1 off beer and wine, daily food specials, 5-7pm |
| Tuesday | $1 off beer and wine, daily food specials, 5-7pm |
| Wednesday | $1 off beer and wine, daily food specials, 5-7pm |
| Thursday | $1 off beer and wine, daily food specials, 5-7pm |
| Friday | $1 off beer and wine, daily food specials, 5-7pm |
| Saturday | $1 off beer and wine, daily food specials, 5-7pm |
| Sunday | $1 off beer and wine, daily food specials, 5-7pm |
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cheap beer, cheap games, and good music? all that is great, but the bartender [Johnny] is what really makes this place amazing. we go several times a week, and it never gets old. plus the last wednesday of every month is free game night.
I love this place. Great selection of video games and all pinball upstairs. Photobooth too! Friendly bar staff, especially Jessica. This is a fun place to start a night off downtown.
I, for one, will not play here! (of course, I live approximately 2000 miles away...)
If I did live in the area, I would move in - it looks awesome!!!
I saw the Slants here and played games I had long forgotten about.
The owners give a damn and support the local arts scene in numerous ways.
Many machines are only a quarter - the average person couldn't walk away disappointed. I had a ball!
Went there when they had love music about 3 times, and I've gone a few times during the daylight hours. The bands are very low budget, low talent, and the venue is overwhelmingly loud and too crispy / high pitchy... The games are cool, but out of every five, usually 2 or 3 of them didn't perform on some level or another. The pinball flippers are all butchered. I could look past everything but the volume and quality of the bands.
I love Ground Kontrol even though they broke my heart by getting rid of Phoenix. Rampage is a great game to play if you've had a trying day. Since Christmas is approaching I'm asking Santa to give Ground Kontrol Mortal Kombat 3 and Journey Escape. I know that last one is a total wet dream but how cool would that be? Till then I'll settle for desroying the world with Ralph and Lizzie.
I go to GK at least 3 times a week. I love it. There's nothing better then having 4 or 5 Highlife Tallboys and trying to best your score on the Star Trek : The Next generation Pinball machine. One of my favorite spots in Portland, hands down.
Q-bert? More like Q-GAY! Just fucking around lady. Sure I'll challenge you or anyone else to any game anytime. I've got a winning attitude!
I wish they would fix it. I'm probably the best guy at that game exept the gas pedal's fucked. It's my time to shine and I don't want to waste my afternoons not playing the Road Blasters. I guess I'll just have to invent a new blasting game.
