Best Cocktail Arcade Machines in 2023 – Level Up Any Gaming Room

Last Updated on August 26, 2023 by William J. Lopez

Like the pool, foosball, and other arcade games, Cocktail arcade machines are another way of gathering family & friends together to have a great time and reliving those nostalgic childhood arcade eras.

Any gaming room or den is incomplete without a cocktail arcade machine. We have a list of the best cocktail arcade machines to upgrade your collection.

These arcade tabletop machines impressed us with their unique features and passed our quality criteria.

With our definite guide pointers, you will know what to look for in THE RIGHT cocktail arcade machine.

It is easy to confuse any arcade machines as a cocktail arcade machine, but that is not the case!

What is a Cocktail Arcade Machine?

Unlike an upright cabinet, a cocktail arcade machine has a flat glass top like a table with an upward-facing gaming screen.

It has controls on both sides of the table for players to play comfortably while sitting. Players can also place their drinks and snacks on top of the table.

A cocktail arcade machine also goes by another name: “cocktail cabinet”.

You will find variations in cocktail arcade machines like tilting tabletops, oversized LED displays, thousands of game options in one, and much more.

Top 5 Best Cocktail Arcade Machines

After thorough research and testing, this is a list of the five best cocktail arcade table tops that would be a great addition to any gaming room, with a description of their features, pros, and cons.

1. Doc and Pies Arcade Factory 2 Player Cocktail Arcade Machine – Budget Friendly

• Dimensions: 23″ W x 32″ L x 29″ H
• Weight: 80 pounds
• Warranty: 2 years

If you are lIf, you want to enjoy affordable retro arcade games, don’t look past the “Doc and Pies Arcade Factory Cocktail Arcade Machine”.

It offers all the exclusive features of a cocktail arcade machine at a budget-friendly price.

You can enjoy 60 classic retro arcade games of the 1980s, like Pac-Man, Frogger, Centipede, Donkey Kong, and Burger Time, on a high-quality 19″ LCD with joystick & button control on both sides. You can email or visit their website to get the full list of the games.

We witnessed a sound-quality build with a two-year warranty on it. However, with just a little more investment, you can get all these specs with an addition of 412 games. The design and build of this cocktail arcade table enable easy mobility.

Tip: It does not come with a volume switch, so we suggest setting the volume while you set up the table with a screwdriver on a tiny knob on the PCB board; otherwise, you might have to reopen the top.

Check Price on Amazon

 

2. Creative Arcades Full-Size Commercial Grade 4 Player Cocktail Arcade Machine with 3500 Arcade Games

• Ratings: 92
• Weight: 200 lbs
• Warranty: 3 Year

The Creative Cocktail Arcade Machine is the best example of the modern style. It features a high-quality tilting screen 32″ where you can move it upright like in a standard arcade cabinet.

You can switch between a coin or free play system using this arcade tabletop commercially or accordingly.

It comes with the big arcade games package 3500 and includes accessories like LED and two stools.

This cocktail arcade cabinet assists four players with gaming controls, including buttons, 4 Sanwa joysticks, and trackballs. The creative also offers different ranges in several games and screen sizes.

We loved how it came fully assembled and was “plug and play” ready. We didn’t waste a minute playing it or, should we say, testing it out.

The table is built strongly due to its tempered glass and impressive finishes. You can get the whole gaming list via email.

Tip: For better installation, confirm the dimensions with the seller beforehand to decide where to place or install it because it is really heavy to move around.

Check Price on Amazon

 

3. Creative Arcades Full-Size Commercial Grade Wine Barrel Style Pub Arcade Machine

• Ratings: 24
• Dimensions: 27″W x 22″D x 31.5″H
• Warranty: 3 years

This cocktail arcade tabletop has the classic pub look design featuring over 400 arcade games on a 15″ LCD screen.

It has impressive finishes and comes with a different wine barrel finish colour range with a warranty of 3 years.

It has both a coin/free operating system and comes along with two stools. It has a nice slim, sleek design that does not require a lot of space to be installed.

We didn’t have to assemble it, and there is also a volume control button inside the cocktail arcade cabinet which is a pretty handful.

We can say it has great quality because it has round-tempered glass, and the production of Creative has a wide range of cocktail arcade machines.

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4. Arcade1Up Cocktail Arcade Machine

• Ratings: 20
• Dimensions: 23.54 D x 35.98 W x 28.97 H
• Weight: 64.63 lbs

It introduces a cocktail arcade tabletop on a classic and all-time famous/favourite game, Ms PAC-MAN, by Arcade1up. It features a 17″ LCD screen; two player controls on each side, and adjustable volume settings.

This home arcade cabinet assembly is the easiest compared to other cocktail tabletops on the list.

Along with Ms PAC-MAN, you can enjoy 11 classic games, including Mappy, Galaxian, Galaga, Galaga 88, The Tower of Druaga, Dig Dug, Dig Dug II, Rolling Thunder, Rompers, PAC Mania, and Rally-X.

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5. Prime Arcades, LLC 60 Games in 1 Cocktail Arcade Machine

• Ratings: 12
• Dimension: 34″ x 25.5″ x 29″
• Weight: 165 lbs
• Warranty: 5 Years

With this cocktail arcade table, you can relive fond memories of nostalgic 60 classic arcade games like PAC-MAN, Donkey Kong, and Space Invaders.

This arcade table has two stools and is fully assembled at your doorstep. It has 19″ of great quality graphics LCD with thick tempered glass on top of reliability & durability.

Prime offers not only a five-year warranty with its arcade tabletop but also the service of lifetime tech support.

 

It had both coin and free-play modes. You also get the whole arcade gaming list from the manufacturer.

What we liked the most is its white-glove service for transferring the arcade table from one place to another if assembling & disassembling are required.

Check Price on Amazon

 

Also checkout most popular best arcade machines

Buying Guide Pointers for Choosing the Best Cocktail Arcade Table in 2023

Everything you buy will cost a fortune, so knowing about a thing or two beforehand is crucial to make the wisest purchase decision; honestly, cocktail arcade tabletops don’t come cheap.

Our following buying pointers will help narrow options for cocktail arcade tables to the final best one for you.

Just keep these pointers in mind while shopping for these arcade cocktail cabinets.

Game Options – What do you like to play? 

You will find fewer or thousands of arcade games in one cocktail arcade machine. The ones with a few arcade games are cheaper than those offering thousands of options.

So Make sure the cocktail arcade table you’re considering has your all-time favourite games because manufacturers don’t publish the list in the product details.

It would be a bummer to end up with a cocktail arcade table that doesn’t have your favourite childhood arcade game.

You can ask for the game list directly by emailing the company or sending an online message to the customer service number.

Surely many arcade games also mean unlimited entertainment time with friends and family.

Number of Players – Multiplayer Option

1,2, or 4-player option is available in the market. This pointer solely depends on your preference and usage. Many purchase cocktail arcade tables as a fun aid for friends & family gatherings.

Getting a four-player cocktail arcade table is ideal for that sole purpose.

However, we must add that we find a four players arcade table a bit uncomfortable for players 3 or 4 due to the interference of table legs between players’ legs.

Until and unless you are sure that four players are good enough for you otherwise, a two-player cocktail table serves the best with the most ease in playing games and having a fun experience.

Gaming Controls

You will find arcade cocktail tables with several buttons, Joysticks, and trackballs.

For a better version of a fun experience, looking for at least 2 to 3 buttons on each side of a cocktail arcade table is good. It will revive that nostalgic arcade gaming experience.

Either you will get joysticks or trackballs along with the buttons. But there are numbered games that use trackballs. Most arcade games are played with Joysticks.

Coin Operated

This feature is for die-hard arcade fans who want an exact feeling and don’t want to compromise on anything.

Although coin-operated cocktail arcade cabinets are hard to get by, with thorough research, you might find one.

Cocktail Arcade Cabinet Dimensions

One of the main pointers you need to consider is the size of the machine. Where do you want to install it?

And do you have enough space for an arcade tabletop? Don’t just depend on the images provided by the seller. Confirm the size with them before placing your order.

Cocktail arcade cabinets vary in size and are heavy around 200 lbs, so players have enough space to sit comfortably and place the arcade tabletop.

Screen Size & Aspect Ratio

The bigger, the better… The screen size varies from 19″ to 32″ in the market.

The big screen will have quality pixelated graphics and will be easy to eyeball the gameplay compared to small screens. However, bigger-screen cocktail arcade tables are expensive.

Older design-themed cocktail arcade tables will have a ratio of 4:3, whereas the newer wide-screen ratio is 16:9 with black bars on the side of the screen.

Quality & Durability of Cocktail Table Video Game

Along with the design and looks of the cocktail table with arcade games that match your gaming den or room, it must be well-built and strong.

Check the quality and durability of the components of the table.

Materials like MDF board, plywood, tempered glass top, and glass thickness that makeup arcade tabletop machines offer more quality, reliability, and durability than other materials.

Warranty

This pointer gives some peace of mind to buyers because cocktail arcade cabinets are expensive, bulky, huge, and made of different parts.

You don’t want to end up with a broken table due to an unfortunate delivery accident or without any warranty or money-back policy.

You will find 2 to 3 years of warranty on many arcade tables, but some companies offer less, so look out for this one.

Other Unique Features

Included Accessories

Many companies offer the whole accessories package with the cocktail arcade cabinet, like tools, LED lighting, and tilting screens. The heavier arcade tables have higher quality.

Power

Most standard cocktail arcade tables run on a 10 amp power plug. Look through the details of the product to see if it’s cable-operated because it’s the last thing you want to deal with.

Not only does the scattered wire on the floor look hideous, but it is a dangerous hazard; anyone could trip from it.

Operating System

Arcade table tops operate similarly to a console. These have their digital operating system and load straight into gaming mode.

You only need to know about this to add customized games to your cocktail arcade table.

Reviews

Mark our words, and customer reviews help a lot. These are like guarantees towards the quality of the companies.

You might also find a few helpful tricks or tips on cocktail arcade tables.

Assembly

Believe it or not, not all of us are experts in putting a product together. You will receive your cocktail arcade cabinet either fully assembled, half-assembled or would require a little bit of assembling.

If you lack confidence in your DIY skills, look for “white glove installation service”.

Some companies offer it but not all of them. Checking this out with the seller will also save you a lot of time and effort.

Price

The video game cocktail table has a wide range of prices from around $1000 to $30,000.

The bigger you go, be it the size or number of games included, the more expensive these arcade tabletops will get.

Work out a budget limit for better decisions because it depends on your requirements and preferences.

Conclusion

Adding the best cocktail arcade machine in your home, office, or gaming room would enhance your gaming experience because of newly introduced cool features like tilting screens and LED lighting.

It is one of the effective ways to spend quality time with friends and family and to bring back old fond memories.

Our list of arcade cabinets is tested for high quality, warranty, and build.

• Among these top 5 cocktail arcade machines, our first pick is “Doc and Pies Arcade Factory 2 Player Cocktail Arcade Machine”. It is at the top of the list because you can enjoy all the spectacular features of a cocktail arcade machine at an affordable price.
• However, if budget is not an issue, the second most recommended cocktail arcade cabinet is the “Creative Arcades Full Size Commercial Grade 4 Player Cocktail Arcade Machine”. It comes with the widest range of arcade games in it. Its design, look and feel are exactly like an arcade cabinet and with its coin operating mode, you can also get it for commercial use. Its quality and build are top-notch.
• Last but not least finally, our third recommendation would be the “Creative Arcades Full-Size Commercial Grade Wine Barrel Style Pub Arcade Machine’‘. It doesn’t take up much space but offers unlimited arcade fun with its collection. Its unique barrel design caught our eyes.

Before buying any cocktail arcade table, please review our pointers to help finalize the best machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What about building my own DIY Cocktail Arcade Machine?

Getting everything according to your liking in any product isn’t easy. You might get 90% of things according to your choice, but there is always 10% stuff on which you compromise.

However, if you want to fully customize your cocktail arcade machine, different online communities that guide you through the process are available.

You need to be good with woodworking and tech stuff to operate & install MAME (arcade emulator) in the cocktail cabinet.

It will save you a lot of bucks, but not everyone is good at DIY stuff. While it helps you save money and has room for unlimited customization, on the other hand, you would have to spend a lot of extra energy on learning and getting things right.

What games are on a Cocktail arcade? 

The number of arcade games available on a cocktail arcade machine differs from company to company.

Some offer a limited number of arcade games, and some offer hundreds & thousands of classic arcade games.

You also won’t find a detailed list of arcade games installed in a cocktail arcade cabinet product details.

However, before placing an order, you can ask for the list from the manufacturer via email, customer service, or by visiting their designated website.

What are the dimensions of a Cocktail Arcade Machine? 

The market has different sizes, types, and dimensions of cocktail arcade cabinets.

Find the one that is ideal for your home, office, bar, or gaming room. You can check the dimensions as well with the seller beforehand.

Do we always suggest asking ourselves these questions like where you will install the cocktail arcade machine?

Do you have extra space around the arcade table for players to sit down easily? Will the fully assembled cocktail arcade table pass through your front door? And so on.

Do you have extra space around the arcade table for players to sit down?

The cocktail arcade machines are designed for two players to sit across each other and play.

There is typically enough space around the machine for people to stand and watch, but it is not meant for large crowds.

What happens if I accidentally hit another player?

If you accidentally hit another player, the game will pause, and a message will appear on the screen asking if you want to continue playing.

If both players agree, the game will resume. If one player does not want to continue, the other can play against the computer or end the game.

Cocktail arcade machines are a great way to socialize and compete with each other.

They are typically easy to use and offer a wide variety of games. An arcade machine is a great option if you want a fun way to spend time with friends.

Why were arcade machines so big?

As video arcade games became more popular in the 1970s, arcades began to pop up everywhere.

They were often found in large public spaces like malls and needed to be big enough to accommodate multiple players simultaneously.

Some of the earliest and most popular arcade games, like “Pac-Man” and “Donkey Kong,” were played on cocktail arcade machines.

These machines were tall and had monitors that were positioned vertically, so two players could sit across from each other and play simultaneously.

When did cocktail arcade machines become famous?

Cocktail arcade machines became increasingly popular throughout the 1980s as more and more people began playing video games.

They were a great way for people to socialize and compete with each other, and they quickly became a staple of arcades and game rooms.