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    Nickel City

    3.4 (155 reviews)
    Open 2:00 pm - 8:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Services - Nickel City

    Venue rental

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    Party room
    Monic L.

    I went to Nickel City for a kid's birthday party. I've heard of this place but this is the first time I've ever been. When you walk in you walk right into the arcade area they have a decent amount of games and in the middle they have the old-school video games like mortal combat, mario, etc. It's called nickel city because back in the day it use to only cost a nickel to play. The arcade games are played with a card you can reload and tickets are put on the card. Fun if you have kids and looking for something to do. The rooms for the parties are new and spacious. The worker working the bday party I attended was very efficient and helpful and kept things moving along with setup and bringing out the food.

    Remodeled interior and no more nickels!
    Mike Z.

    Nickel City is no longer nickels. Keep your change at home and bring more cash. Most of the game machines are operating by a card that you fill with money at a self-serve machine (one located by prizes and second one by bathrooms) for $10 to $100. There are some old school classic games (Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat, Galaga, etc.) that have free play but most of the kids are not interested. The adults can play these games all you want with almost no wait time! The place has been remodeled and it looks great! So much space now and not overcrowded but it is overwhelming! The games add tickets to the cards to choose the usual stuff at the counter to acquire. There appears to be food for sale but it wasn't open yet. There is plenty of seating to sit by the food. It's not the same place, but it is entertaining.

    Entrance
    Christina L.

    Took my kids to check out the newly remodeled nickel city. Immediately when we got through the doors we were impressed on how much they expanded the space. There is a cafeteria now where you can buy food and sit and eat. They got more arcade games. We walked up to a kiosk and bought a rechargeable card. I liked the fact that the kids didn't have to worry about lugging all their tickets around and it all the tickets just goes on the card. Who wants to wait in line to feed tickets to a machine, not me. The kids were able to get some fun prizes to take home after cashing out their tickets. The kids had a blast and we will definitely be back.

    People having fun with their new prizes
    Ed B.

    Great for parties, and a fun throwback for those who like retro arcades. Many are broken or not working correctly, and there aren't any pinball machines. Still... a really fun time! Great remodel recently (2024)

    Prizes

    I have been coming here for years. Stopped by each time we went to Chicago from St Louis. They recently updated and it looks nice but no longer has the same feel. You can't take 20 bucks and be entertained for an hour any longer. They use card and points system and basically this has become a mini Dave and Busters.

    Fun for the whole family!
    Heather P.

    This place is a blast from my past. It's been here since well, before I was in high school and that's going back twenty some odd years. Goes to show you, it doesn't have to be fancy to be fun. If you're looking for bells and whistles, move along. However; if you're looking for some good family fun that's affordable and memory making, head on over. Check first for a groupon, it's a great deal. You get tokens and pizza. Seriously, the best way to kill a few hours and not feel like you had to take out a second mortgage to provide ample entertainment.

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    4 months ago

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    5 years ago

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    1 year ago

    It is really fun. The kids loved it. A great way to spend the day off from school or the weekend.

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Super fun and the workers are really nice here! Place is clean and very awesome.!! Definitely recommend

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Did somebody say no money required? I thought this was supposed to be fun for five. Cents. Credit card, Mark, this another one.

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    2 years ago

    All fun games and great prizes. I went there with my kids and are so super duper amazed.

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    3 years ago

    Walked in and right back out. Gross, chaotic, dirty, and most of the games were broken.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    No longer a nickel dump. The classic games and feel of burning bags of nickels and earning a stack of tickets is no longer there. RIP

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    12 years ago

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Nickel City

    Review Highlights - Nickel City

    00 admission fee, prizes, and several arcade classics on free play such as Pac Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Street Fighter Alpha.

    Mentioned in 11 reviews

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    Games On Lincoln - More games. Egg game very challenging!

    Games On Lincoln

    (6 reviews)

    Two days in a row now, this place is closed when it should be open, with nothing other than a…read morehand-written note on the door saying "closed at 4pm." My children and I are disappointed, and angry, and confused.

    My video game loving children have been eagerly awaiting for this to open. It's finally open and…read morehas some great kid friendly neighbors- a toy store and ice cream/gelato parlor. Kid heaven! When my kids first walked into Games on Lincoln they were a little disappointed by how small it is, especially in comparison to places like Nickel City. That being said i like that it's small because it's a great way to kill a bit of time, but also easy to get out of there within the hour. I usually have to bribe my kids to get them out of Nickel City within a few hours. And because it's new Games on Lincoln is very clean and due to the size should be easy to keep clean! Fingers crossed. You put money on a card and like all arcades you go thru money pretty fast here. I loaded up my kids cards with $10 several times and they seemed to run out fast- a combo of the games being a little expensive and I think they may have swiped a few extra times (so teach your kids to just swipe once). The machine itself is a little glitchy, but the staff was helpful...and can also take cash up by the cash register. I do think some sort of unlimited game card would be great- whether it's for one specific time or even a monthly membership. The games itself are perfect for my 8 and 6 year olds, but my 3 year old is a little young for it (although they were nice to pull up a chair so he could play his favorite game, pac-man). They didn't get enough tickets to get any cool prizes so are keeping their cards for next time. And I'm sure there will be a next time since it's an easy way to kill some time after dinner in the area (Stacked and Folded, Little Rickys, etc) before or after ice cream. Speaking of ice cream seems like a no brainer to get rid of their crappy prizes and let people redeem tickets at the ice cream parlor and toy store...also a great way to drive business to those businesses as well. According to the staff they may be taking over the hair salon next door and making this way bigger, which would also give the ability to host birthday parties. My kids were excited about the possibility of even more games. And if that happens there goes my ability to get them in and out fast, but then again always looking for good places to kill time with the kids in the winter.

    Party Fantasy Raceway - Fun for the kids

    Party Fantasy Raceway

    (7 reviews)

    I was at this location earlier today. I was with a group of friends with their kids. We had…read morepurchased a groupon and figured it was a great deal so we decided to go. Can I just say, thank The Lord we didn't pay full price! A few inflatables. If your child is under 50 pounds, beware! The older children are let loose! The parents don't say anything, and the staff (who are mainly high schoolers), don't say a peep either! Many of our kids were nearly trampled! The "race track". It's cute. The great thing is they go different speeds for different age groups. The thing is, it's so unorganized! We waited in line for 15 minutes as other went past us. And then sat in the go kart for 5 more minutes! One of our kids got stuck and was crying because she injured herself, and it rooks them forever to help her out! Btw, she was in the group of go karts that went the slowest! The staff. Like I had mentioned, mainly high school kids who don't really care. Most of then were exceptionally nice. Although I do have to say, the last with the headset was extremely rude, and just a down right b****. She rolled her eyes at me, and never did I see a smile come across her face! Food. Over priced drinks. But the pizza they order is great! They gave us 7 plates, one was dirty, for 14 of us. We ordered three XL pizzas.... And two napkins. Yep, two. Unless you have a groupon, check out another place... Even the groupon doesn't make this place worth it.

    We are at this place right now. We picked up a groupon so thank god we didn't pay full price.they…read morehave a go kart track, inflatable jump things, an arcade, a rock climbing wall, and a supposed toddler play area. Let me point out the fact that this place is not very organized.The employee at the front desk was clueless. I'm sorry but a bunch of dirty couches and a few sticky toys on the floor hardly qualifies as a toddler play area. We have been in line for 30 min waiting for the kids to get their ride on the go karts, which they get two rides each for the open play price. They let the birthday parties cut in front of the open play which would be ok if they informed us of that before we got in this line! I don't see how it will be possible for them to get both rides in before they close because we are still waiting for the first ride!!! They shouldn't have open play when they have multiple bday parties! I will add one star though because they were very apologetic and the kids are having fun in the bounce houses.

    Bowlero Niles

    Bowlero Niles

    (68 reviews)

    Came hero spontaneously on a Monday evening because we were in the area. They had unlimited bowl…read moreafter 7pm which was a great deal. We were given a lane and after the third frame, had to go up for assistance with resetting the pins or other technical issues. We were then moved to another lane which wasn't much better. The frame in the floor was falling apart and still had the same issues with resetting after each player played their turn. While there, I went to the bar and purchased on two occasions to order drinks. I tipped the bartender- 20% on each round. I came up there for a third time and asked to have a cup of water. I needed to take some medication and asked for a cup of water. The bartender stated that it's "company policy " and they sell bottles of Aquafina for sale. No free water. Any other establishments would offer complimentary CUP of water especially after a patron purchases something. Not only is it a courtesy but it is mandated in Illinois. Additionally, it is an Illinois plumbing code for establishments that exceed 100 people capacity offer water free of charge. There were no water fountains anywhere in that establishment! Do better, Bowlero!

    Came here for a friend's birthday party for about 30+ people of mostly tweens ranging to adults…read more My friend did have to check in a lot as when you have a lot of teen boys the food will run around almost as soon as it's laid out in front of them. However they did a good job of keeping up. The arcade is on the smaller side, but there are a few choice large games - my son really enjoyed the piano game that's tucked in the back. This location is smaller, so for the arcade prizes you get them out of a vending machine rather than having a person count the tickets and provide it to you. The kids appeared to have a great time, so that's the most important thing right?

    Nickel City - arcades - Updated May 2026

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