This is such a great concept! Adults are just big kids at heart! I was never a gamer but loved playing video games often as a kid. My faves are Galaga & Ms Pacman. They have several games to choose from and even basketball & my all time fave skee ball! Almost every game is $1-$3... totally affordable. They have a large bar on one side and a dance floor in the middle. The bathroom was clean & fully functional. I left before the party started but will def be back to play games & enjoy drinks with no screaming kids read more

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As someone who loves arcades and has visited many different "barcades", this is the worst I've ever visited. Nearly each game I played had something wrong with it. Pinball machine had a sticky flipper, guitar hero had a broken button and strum bar and the PacMan machine had a faulty joystick. Not to mention, the machines advertise "$1 per play" but using your card charges you for several games. I've seen the business owner's reply to comments like these however it is not clear as you are paying to play and is very misleading. Imagine paying $5 per game and it doesn't even work properly! Additionally, I somehow payed twice ($14 total) for some photo booth pictures that don't even have any special branding of the bar. I've never had such a horrible experience at a barcade and don't plan on recommending this place or returning when I visit Dallas again. read more

Select Start - Charges to your card when the machines say "$1 per play" - Arcades Near Me - Dallas, Texas

The 2 Pinball machine is didn't work The glax/ms pac man. Wasn't a very inconvenient weird location next to a post and it wobbled. It was that smoky there was a weeknight, but I wouldn't cut Kidd friendly and it's not where I would normally go and I don't think I will go back. They were very nice. However, the people are very nice. Unfortunately, every machine I played or anything was not maintained properly read more

place is horrible. charged my card 6 times for 3 games. The game payment system showed offline but still my card was charged. $5 for 1 play. When the display showed $1 per gam. played 3 different games and my card was charged $5 for each transaction. Horrible. read more

November 2021 - COVID Review: Came here after dinner due to a recommendation from the staff at the restaurant we visited prior. The concept and vibe were definitely cool - because who wouldn't love an arcade bar?! There's also some cool game-themed cocktails on the menu. The music was good too! They have ATMs and coin change machines throughout so that you can play the arcade games, but like others have mentioned, it is pretty expensive per game. So my friend and I opted to just sip on our drinks and people watch. read more

Select Start - peach's revenge and pokeball - Arcades Near Me - Dallas, Texas

I went to check this place out when they were doing a free DJ event and it was a pretty cool venue. The only reason I'm not giving it five stars, which trust me I really wanted to, was because I ordered a well vodka with club soda and it was $17. They also tacked on an auto gratuity, and the bartender was awful. I bartend myself so I felt the service should've matched the tip. The DJ was fantastic, I met a few cool people, and the entire venue has a lot of energy. I would give them another shot my next time in the area. read more

Select Start - Arcades Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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Went to select start on a Sunday afternoon about 230-3pm. Not busy at all. Friendly bartender who made a great old fashioned! Not a huge selection of games to play but still a good number you could find something you like. read more

Select Start - Cool vibe inside - Arcades Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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This is a really cool bar. I did like the music and the atmosphere. However the pricing to play games is way way way overpriced. Each game has an ATM reader and each game is in the range of $3-4 per game. It is also small and gets crowded easily and there isn't a big variety of games. Some shooting games, punching bag, a couple of basketball hoops, skeet ball, pinball. They did have some gaming systems behind the bar and the wall of the bar is full of multiple screens. We played one game, got one drink and left. read more

Select Start - Really cool photo backdrop once you walk in (My attempt to be a video game character) - Arcades Near Me - Dallas, Texas

We were Bar Hoping on a Monday Night and stumbled across this arcade bar at the end of Deep Ellum and we got so excited we immediately crossed the street and decided to give it a try. The vibe was amazing, the music was on point and the drinks were delicious! It brought back our inner child out and we played almost each game and if you don't have quarters that's fine bc they take Apple Pay. Like c'mon if I went on a Monday imagine the possibilities on a weekend! (: read more

Select Start - Arcades Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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Kinda divey and not a lot of arcade games. PlayStations and Sega at the bar which was fun. A few of them were down when we were there. If you like half naked bartenders...then go here? Girls rockin thongs and bras and one chick had on just a T-shirt. Was a bit strange but that's just me. read more

A fair ode to the classics, and a fun concept if you ask me! We discovered this place after stuffing our faces with bbq over at Pecan Lodge. It was a late Tuesday afternoon, and we had time to kill, so why not check it out. From the outside, they've got a couple of picnic tables prior to entering. Inside to the left up above is a cool wall of spray painted video game characters, with an entire row of old and new video games. They had everything from Galaga, Donkey Kong, Pac-man, a few shooter games, a couple of pinball, basketball, a few other sports classics like Blitz, a mini Super NES at the bar, and my favorite a dome foosball hockey table. They even had ZOLTAR!!! At the bar, you can simply get a beer on tap or any mixed drink. But I believe their specialty in what also sets this bar apart from any ordinary bar are their floats and shots. I hooked up an Orange Cream float ($10) and totally enjoyed it! It was basically made with gin and an orange Red Bull. I wanted to try another, but it was the perfect dessert to put my stomach over the top. My brother seemed to like his Crown Royal Root Beer float as well. For the most part, the place was clean as we chilled at the end of the bar. The bartender was also nice to us, but also seemed busy cleaning. No issue really. This place totally reminded me of a typical arcade from back-in-tha-days, only with a bar. Would I go back? Probably. But minus a couple stars for not having Centipede, Burgertime, or Defender. Tron would've been cool to see too, oh well! read more

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For a barcade, this place is the worst. Literally the worst out of 50+ that I've visited around the world. Few games, awful music, lifeless bartender, and an automatic 20% tip added to your bill. If you're looking for a sleazy dive bar with some space to dance to your hip-hop faves, this might be the place for you. read more

Select Start is a pretty cool bar to go to if you wanna play some games and drink at the same time. I went with my girlfriend and another one of our friends. We played Mario Kart and a few other games. The games are pretty expensive, in my opinion, so just keep that in mind when visiting. I wouldn't want to spend so much time here at all. We stayed for like 30 min to an hour. It was super loud and definitely super crowded. We ordered some drinks from the bar, and took it with us as we explored the place. read more

It's a gimmicky bar but the drinks are limited the crowds are hit or miss usually a miss in my opinion. I usually go here when I'm leaving my favorite bar just to pass time while I wait on my Uber read more

Great bar, good vibes and music. The games were fun, however it was small and not a variety of selection. TIP: be mindful of using your credit card paying for the games bc one swipe pays for 5 games. read more

If you're looking for a Barcade style place, pass this one by. If you're looking for a semi-crappy bar/club with a few video games, maybe... If you do go for games, just be aware that the DJ overpowers anything you might want to hear, and be prepared for a razing of your wallet. All in all, it's a hybrid concept that just doesn't work. The dual concept elements work against each other for, at best, an underwhelming experience, and at worst, a miserable time, for which you are overcharged. The Metroplex has much better to offer on both sides. $4 for a single game? Criminal... There are a plethora of Barcades in the Metroplex that accept a flat fee at the door for games, plus food and beverages are pay-as-you-order. Seems they're doing pretty well (*cough, cough*... Free Play in Arlington). **An edit for this review** I read through the reviews after posting the preliminary for this one. Unfortunately, the general vibe from "Danny" (who occupies a position with the establishment) seemed to be "If you don't like it, too bad". Sorry, brother, I know you tried to write what might have seemed to you professional and apologetic, but to a third-party reader... it did not. Based on what I am reading, your primary failing isn't your loud music or overpriced amenities. Just a friendly tip: Great customer service can cover a multitude of sins... Just sayin'. read more

been trying to get ahold of this place for over a week because my friend left his id to play the controller games they don't have an actual working number and i've wrote all social media pages read more

Impeccable vibes, bartenders with great personality and knowledgeable about their drinks. Dj kept the places vibe elevated. Bathrooms were a little sketch on cleanliness though. I loved the games and variety of games available. Enjoyed the photo booths. The only reason I took a star away was because the Batman pinball machine took my quarters but never dropped me a ball. And the bathroom sketchiness. Otherwise the art, decor, game selection, bartenders quality of music etc is on point and I highly recommend this place for a fun stop in Dallas. read more

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Loved it here! Deep Ellum is a super fun area and this bar really adds to the fun! There's tons of games there, ballon shots (which is something I had never seen before). A lot of super cute fish bowl drinks too, and very nice staff! The space is a little small, but they pack a lot in. At the bar you can sit and play video games like COD which my boyfriend really enjoyed. They also have games like Mario Cart which I liked. This is really a great spot for a fun night out with friends or a date night. I will be back! read more

Select Start - Mist shot inside a balloon - Arcades Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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I had a blast here! Enjoyed the drinks and all the games were of interest to me. Sometimes I go to arcade bars and the games are outdated and don't work properly. This was not the case here! Very clean and the atmosphere of the place is very fun. Loved skee ball. In addition, the bartenders were really nice and very attentive. read more

Select Start - Arcades Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Cute little video game bar, has some games for everyone. Ive only been here for a short time while waiting for dinner reservations but I have always enjoyed my time here. The peaches revenge drink comes in a fish bowl and is sweet without being too sugary. You can sit at the bar and play Nintendo on the many screens behind the bar. I need to go back to try some more drinks and games. read more

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Stumbled across this bar on a Saturday night in Deep Ellum while we were waiting for our food from another restaurant & it did not disappoint. The drinks were tasty, the names were cute, & cheaper for the area. The jello shots were also flavorful I loved the way they were served. The alcohol balloon was also fun. Lots of cool games except they're not too accessible because it's so busy, but that's expected. Hoping to come back with friends soon! read more

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Overall a pretty cool place. Tons of games, but a few don't really work. A couple bartenders were really good, but the other bartenders acted like they didn't even want to be there and got almost annoyed they had to serve people. The place really gets going on Friday/Saturday nights. Not the best but not the worst spot to go out to on the weekend read more

Visiting from out of town, where we have a very cool barcade, so we wanted to check this one out. Overall I was disappointed, primarily because you have to pay to play the games! We were not used to that; at the barcades and board game bars I've been to you only have to buy your drinks or food in order to play the machines. The place was very small and not very busy on a Tuesday night. The bartender was friendly and attentive. Prices were average. Good variety of arcade games and console games. They also sell balloon shots here, the first place I've seen so so. Would not return. read more

Hey Ashley!!! This tiny game inspired bar is fun. PARENTS, although this bar looks kid friendly, it isn't. Please keep them out.‍ gee whiz!! The space is a long hallway. On the left, there are several games to SELECT START on, including guitar hero, boom a rang, beer pong, the punching bag, etc. On the right, there is a bar with all types of drinks and quite a few fun drinks made to order. Our Bartender Ashley is very nice and was pleasant to chat with during our visit. Drink Review: Vanilla Rootbeer Float - made with vanilla ice cream and crown royal. It is sweet, delicious and has the perfect balance of crown royal Tea Bag - a select start Long Island ice tea served in a super cute pouch with Super Mario on the front. It was ok. Balloon Alcohol Mist - a ballon filled with alcohol mist. Is very interesting. You inhale the contents in small puffs until the balloon is deflated. read more

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A fairly new arcade bar has made its way to Deep Ellum. The bartender informed me they have been there about 8 months or so. After leaving the Christmas pop-up @ Hide bar, Select Start had a nice calming vibe and plenty of seats at the bar so it was a winner for me. I have read from other reviews that you have to pay to play the arcade games themselves. Different from other establishments who may charge a cover fee and then have the games free so keep that in mind when you go. I did not play any of the arcade games but instead opted for a seat at the bar where they have a number of different video game consoles for you to play. They have a fun drink menu with some tasty cocktails. I am uncertain if they have food or not. I would return again if in the area. read more

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Hey Ashley!!! This tiny game inspired bar is fun. PARENTS, although this bar looks kid friendly, it isn't. Please keep them out.‍ gee whiz!! The space is a long hallway. On the left, there are several games to SELECT START on, including guitar hero, boom a rang, beer pong, the punching bag, etc. On the right, there is a bar with all types of drinks and quite a few fun drinks made to order. Our Bartender Ashley is very nice and was pleasant to chat with during our visit. Drink Review: Vanilla Root-beer Float - made with vanilla ice cream and crown royal. It is sweet, delicious and has the perfect balance of crown royal Tea Bag - a select start Long Island ice tea served in a super cute pouch with Super Mario on the front. It was OK. Balloon Alcohol Mist - a balloon filled with alcohol mist. Is very interesting. You inhale the contents in small puffs until the balloon is deflated. read more

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I recently came across Select Start while I was in Deep Ellum and was surprised we had an arcade bar in this area. I thought it was a nice and open space with a variety of games. You do have to pay for each game but the games accept cash and card. The photo booths were not worth it so don't waste your money on those. Overall, a cute, fun bar in the heart of Deep Ellum. read more

We had fun! Several games: Mortal Combat, pac Man, and other old school games. Street Fighter machine was out of order. Beer pong etc...Simple concept, it's a good "start" . There was a machine to get quarters to play the games, and an Xbox and PS4 for those who couldn't wait till they would get home. read more

Select Start - Arcade games and drinks - Arcades Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Probably the worst Barcade I've been to in Dallas. Me and a group of 3 walked in. We were never greeted. We were never offered a drink menu. It was not busy and was just a lazy Sunday afternoon,. Half of the machines accept cash dollars only, the other half are quarters only. Some accept a swipe card that was never explained to us. All of them are EXTREMELY over priced. (LOL, 4 quarters for an ancient, barely working Mortal Kombat machine -- But hey, at least that one took quarters!) Both times that I spoke to the bar tender he was absolutely RUDE and dismissive of us. He was extremely hesitant to give us change, and then wouldn't give us dollars for our quarters for the cash only machines! I suppose we looked young so he thought we didn't have money to spend? Regardless we played a few games and just left with no drinks. It's not the sort of place I'd return to or want to spend money on. So yeah. Awful place. Unoriginal concept. I'd highly recommend Barcadia over this place, or even a Dave & Buster's. Go to a Barcade that understands young people have money to spend and deserve good customer service. read more

This night started off great, we spent around 90-100 dollars, we took a step out to smoke and went back in to use the restroom BUT we were told by the security and the manager (who was vaping lol) that we weren't allowed in anymore because they were at capacity and there was no public restrooms. (when in reality I used the restroom just 10 min prior when I spent all that money!) Rude security, and even more rude front "manager", just disrespectful. Never felt more worse. I never write bad reviews but tbh even if you spend money here they won't give a F*** about you! read more

Select Start - security that refused to let us in two times in a row after we spent over $100 both at bar and games. - Arcades Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Way overpriced games..... They wanted a dollar per quarter game on NFL Blitz. That means you $8 deep to play with a friend. Most other machines cost $.25 per quarter, a far more reasonable price. Not to mention, they wired the button wrong. So we spent the entire first quarter of the game, cause that's what we got when we were trying to buy an entire football game, trying to figure out the mis-wired buttons. The 4 man pack man is $1 each. The "shoot as many basket balls in a certain time" game was $1 each. And one of the machines quarter slots was all jammed up. Everything was overpriced. I would have stayed around, spent money on beer, and enjoyed myself if the games were more reasonable. read more

It's an arcade bar. Let's think about the concept of an arcade bar for a second. Is it a good arcade? Well, no. Both pinball machines were broken in one way or another. The arcade machines weren't in good nick either, with faded screens and sticky buttons. Games were way overpriced, even for arcade bar standards. Some of the card readers for those overpriced machines didn't work. Is it a good bar? Well, not really. Pours were okay, selection was okay, but there are at least ten better within 100 yards. Staff weren't that great. Go to Cidercade, Barcadia, anywhere else. This place is some rich kid's joke. read more

Went in there yesterday afternoon after the outdoor market. The bartender was not very attentive. She was just talking to some guy the whole time. I asked about the vodka mist they had. I thought it was a drink didn't even know it was a really vodka mist. She wasn't really selling it.. Didn't think I got a buzz out of it and I was already feeling pretty good. But it was cool to had tried something new. read more

Select Start - Arcades Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Nice theme but the workers are horrible. A lot of the machines just take your money. Glasses are dirty and I watched the bartender "clean" them all he did was run them under water no soap!!!!! No running water in the restroom to wash your hands. Bar tender was a douche when it came to playing the games at the bar he told me I wasn't allowed to switch games. Won't be coming back. read more

Cool bar, great drinks and they don't price gouge you for them like other bars in the area seem to do. Fun atmosphere and super friendly staff. They do have quite a few games as well, only complaint is how sticky the Xbox controllers were (go figure). read more

DO NOT GO HERE!!!! The meat head bartender is too cool for school and only serves the regulars. We sat down at the bar ready to eat some hot pockets and play games but this guy sat in his phone and didn't serve anyone. Everyone at the bar had an empty drink. When I tried to get his attention he looked at me and then back at his phone. Terrible service. Horrible staff. His tattoos were ugly too. read more

Really amazing upgrade from the last venue. Creative drinks, great live dj's and friendly staff. I always feel welcome and enjoy my time there. Plus there bottles are competitively priced. read more

My friend and I decided to come visit on a Saturday night at around 7:30pm. The place was crowded and had a pretty nice atmosphere. Like all bars and night life, the music were blasted extremely loud where you can't hear your mate. The games were all priced pretty expensively, like the $5/play ice hockey game, so you can't stay for too long without spending too much. The whole time we were there, there was only 1 personnel working. To have 1 person service about 30 people at the bar and arcade was a bit ridiculous. I couldn't get his attention to service a game that took my money, never the less to even get a drink. This place needs more staff for sure. read more

This spot sucks haha point blank period, 2nd time coming here, I'm from out of town & the security booted me out of the bar. I didn't do anything wrong. Very weird place read more