Entry No. 68 — the Des Moines file — filed under: arcade-play

Up-Down Des Moines

An 80s/90s-themed arcade bar in the East Village where 60-plus classic cabinets, six skee-ball alleys and pinball machines all run on quarters. Console stations let you drop onto a couch for old Nintendo while a 20-tap craft beer list and house-made pizza by the slice keep things going. It is a strictly 21+ room, so it skews toward a night out rather than a family stop.

The move: Make a roll of quarters last all night, racing each other on skee-ball and the classic cabinets between pizza slices.

📍 Before you go 21+ only. Games are 25 cents per play.

• 📍 East Village, Des Moines
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Big night
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 500 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309

Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-23