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Openings Thu Apr 11 2013
Arcade Bars Go Multiplayer
Chicagoans love mixing booze and vintage arcade games, as evidenced by recent news that both Emporium in Wicker Park and Headquarters in Lakeview are planning major expansions. Joining them soon will be Replay, which will replace Buck's Saloon in Boystown.
Emporium, which was the first arcade bar in Chicago, picking up the concept from New York pioneer Barcade, is taking over the storefront just south of the bar at 1370 N. Milwaukee Ave. Co-owner Danny Marks told DNAinfo the expansion would hopefully be complete by June.
Headquarters Beercade, which opened as a side bar to the much larger Uncle Fatty's Rum Resort at 2833 N. Sheffield, has been a huge hit as well -- so much so that it's overshadowed its older sibling. Uncle Fatty's will close May 4, making room for a 7,000 square-foot addition to Headquarters that will house the Midwest's largest pinball arcade, including both vintage and new machines from suburban Stern Pinball.
The newest game spot, Replay, will take over Buck's, 3439 N. Halsted St., in mid-May, with more than 20 arcade games from the '80s and '90s and 25 craft beers on tap, plus a cocktail menu designed by Elixir's head mixologist, Danny Quinn. Buck's was one of the first gay bars on Northalsted; there are several farewell parties planned for this weekend.
