Reasonably priced drinks, great bartenders, a unique atmosphere, and fun retro gaming. The Max Retropub is one of the best bars in Tulsa. It does get really, really packed, but every time I've gone there I've had an incredible time and met really interesting people. Definitely recommend! read more

The Max is a modern adult arcade bar, but the shortcomings outweighed the benefits for me. Despite the name that would seem to be perfect for a "Saved by the Bell" bar/restaurant, The Max is instead a gritty arcade and 80s bar for adults. Like a classic arcade, it's a bit dark inside the Max, with a lot of subtle lighting coming from video game screens and televisions behind the bar showing 80s movies. In fact, a lot of the stuff around the bar area hearkens back to 80s stuff, including tchotchkes, dolls, and other accoutrements. When we were in, there was a special on jello shots, so we ordered a couple of those. While I like the idea of a classic arcade bar, one of the big keys to having a place is having plenty of machines to play. The Max has a lot of machines, but about 1/3 of them aren't working or are turned off for whatever reason, and another third of those that are working have something wrong with them. Tucked in the back, I started out playing Street Fighter II. It was set on free play, which was nice (other machines do require tokens to play) but two of the attack buttons didn't work at all. While it doesn't render the machine useless, it is problematic if you're trying to pull off a combo that ends with strong punch, and the strong punch button doesn't work at all. I ran into a similar situation with the Tron machine, except a bit more physical - the joystick was broken in half. If you held the whole thing in your hand and squeezed it together it was playable, but if you weren't holding and pulled too much one way, the whole top of it would come off in your hand. There was also a stand-up of Star Wars Trilogy arcade that looked fantastic, but something was seriously off with the joystick calibration, and it was impossible to aim at anything on the right side of the screen. Not every game was broken, as I still was able to play Dig Dug and Robocop, but these frustrations at the games that did work along with the number of machines that I would like to have played but were turned off or non-functional made the whole appeal of the arcade bar generally moot, and the cache of the 80s theme (and a bathroom that was beat-up and dingy enough that it looked just about like the one from my local skating rink when I was a child) wasn't enough to make this as awesome as I would have wanted it to be. If these machines were in better working order, or if Burger Time was working, I probably would have thought better of the place, but all in all it seemed more of a shadow of a novelty of a real old arcade than a working concept of a place that millenials and Gen-Xers would come and hang out to drink and have a good time. This is the tenth of a series of ~13 reviews about a weekend getaway in Tulsa. read more

A nice spot for a quick afternoon beer. A handful of free tokens comes with a can of PBR. We played skeeball for about 20 minutes and had to head out. This seems like it would be a really fun place at night, but during the day it's a little lame. I love the idea of this place because it gives you something fun to do with your friends while out drinking. read more

WOW, flipping WOW, WOW.......Turn back the clock and let the time just pass by. Awesome Barcade in the Blue Dome District in Tulsa. The Best Happy Hour special I have found in a bar in a long time. Cool bartenders, Cold Beers, 80s games.......Nuff said. read more

Throw back to a great day. So many "I remember that's." Whether you recognize the 80's tunes, decor, or video games (Galage, Techmo Bowl, Street fighter, Etc.) its a must visit if you're in this town! read more

The Max Retropub - Friendly throw back. Amazing place! - Pubs Near Me - Tulsa, Oklahoma

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A fun bar but most of the arcade games were either out of order or took my tokens without playing. The bartender was super friendly and was very fast at getting the drinks. Pretty fun bar. read more

RUDEST STAFF EVER. WILL NOT BE BACK. Seriously, as a 5-foot female please don't tell me to "suck my drink down" at 1:30am when y'all close at 2am. Then, PROCEED TO YANK THE DRINK OUT OF MY HAND DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEY CLOSE AT 2am. I spent $50+ here and was treated with absolute disrespect as a customer. I have told all of my friends to never go here. I was completely coherent and slightly intoxicated. read more

This is a fun bar. I love the old video games. Being able to get a mixed drink with it too is the best.

I used to love coming here because it's so chill and unique. However, after my experience tonight, I won't be back. None of the bill changers worked, the majority of the games were out of service/ didn't work, the bartenders were rude, if they even acknowledged me, and everything was dirty. I won't recommend anymore. read more

I could have entertained myself all night just looking at the decor and playing video games. Needless to say, I really enjoy the atmosphere at Max's. The staff and patrons are very sociable and exude a laid back energy. read more

Great concept. Shit load of the games don't work. Definitely more of a bar than an arcade. In terms of a barcade, this is the worst in the country I've ever been to! read more

This is a really fun bar downtown. Service is good but can get a little congested. Nice bathrooms though which is a plus at any bar. There is really cool decor and arcade games to play with coins you purchase there, just don't overbuy the coins because they are not refundable. I think they should have prizes, but maybe someday they will. Also this is the only bar I have ever seen carry 40s which is pretty entertaining. read more

I went to this bar after a concert and I had such a great time! I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the music. The drinks were good and not too hard on the pocket book. I loved all of the neato games! I will definitely go back next time I am in Tulsa. read more

Went here on a Tuesday night, which happens to be Free Token night (I have no idea how much tokens cost otherwise). I'm glad they were free and unlimited because I spent what felt like 30000 tokens on Skee-Ball. They had a good mixture of arcade games as well. They have a full bar with interesting cocktails with names such as "The Jesse Spano". I stuck to the $3 PBR tall boys. It was a neat place. 80's memorabilia everywhere, even "retro" TVs that played Star Wars. The restroom was covered in ads/pictures from 80's magazines. I don't think they sell food themselves but you can bring in food from other places, which is cool of them. My BF and I wanted to order from a place next door called the White Flag (doing a separate review on that food--but let me just say it was good!). The staff at The Max actually took our order for the place next door and they delivered it through the window. It's a pretty neat place. Definitely not a typical bar. read more

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a fun place to stop by for a drink, maybe 2. Wouldn't plan a night around visiting. We usually swing by for a jell-o shot or two then hit the road, dancing out the door on our way. Just usually a very mixed crowd. Fun for a short time!! read more

$2 dollar Rolling Rocks and NBA JAM - do I even need to finish this review? Reggie Miller heated up and drained threes all night. In between games there's a decent crowd you could talk to, but who cares. Max's has two NBA Jam's! Get your butt here and come get some. Reggie's out - HOF baby! read more

fun spot in a great location. the blue dome district has loads of options that are all different and great, but if you're over 21 and looking to unleash your inner 13yr old self this is the place to go. it's like your local video arcade circa1988 decided to start serving the kids alcohol. fun spot to relax with friends for sure. read more

Hilarious place and concept. Really took me back to the good ole days I suppose. Only caveat: could of been cleaner and I feel like there should've been a play per drink policy. Meaning you buy two drinks you get a free game play. Just spitballing here. 5 stars for decor though. read more

When my friends and I first heard that an 80's bar would be opening in Tulsa, we were pretty excited. As soon as The Max opened, however, it almost immediately started going downhill. The video games started breaking down and it seemed like nobody cared to have them fixed. I wondered why they even bothered opening an expansion room full of even more broken video games and pinball machines. Sure this bar LOOKS cool, but the crowd is nothing but douchy college kids and elitist snobs from South Tulsa. At least, it was the last several times I was there. When I walk into an 80's theme bar, I expect to see a bunch of hipsters, nerds, and all-around regular people; instead I get the cast of an MTV reality show. No thanks. The last straw with this place was when I went for karaoke night. There was literally maybe 30 or 40 songs to pick from (what a joke), and the guy could never get the karaoke machine to work. I left after about an hour and a half of just sitting around, waiting for this guy to do his job. No more Max for me. This bar had so much potential, and was something that Tulsa needed. I don't know anyone who goes there anymore, and I know a lot of social butterflies who are tapped into the downtown bar scene. I'm honestly surprised it's still in business, but whatever.... I guess they've found their crowd. read more

What a great fun concept! If you love the 80's you have to try this bar!!

Good bartenders. That's about it. Younger crowd, mostly 80's music. Some old (mostly broken) video games. Management blames customers for breaking video games. What 'ev man, either fix 'em or lose 'em, cause they're just taking up space and collecting dust. Well they do make great places to set our drinks though. ; / Friday and Saturday are good. Place is a cemetery the other 5 nights. read more

Visited on July 16th 2016 with friend and family around 7:30 pm. Checked my card statement today and it looks like they went ahead and decided to add a tip for themselves. read more

The NBA Jam and Mortal Combat arcade brings back some good memories. Good booze selection and Joe Momma's is right next door. They were not too busy so the brought the pizza over :) read more

This place isn't a real arcade, and not that great of a bar either. It's a hangout for "trendsters" ,masquerading as an arcade. The beer on tap selection is very small, only about 35% of the arcade machines work , and the pinball machines are never in service. To top it off, the staff is rude and have a very poor attitude. You'd think people working in an " arcade bar " would be cooler, though these people just think they are. read more

Awresome place! Must go if you were a child of the 80's! Good drinks and fair prices! Bartenders are great too!

Great retro atmosphere and arcade games. Great place to hang out with friends if you're a gamer like me.

The Max is awesome. This place no kidding takes one back to their childhood with all of the retro games. I could sit at the skiball machine forever. It's super unique and they've got great drink specials. Everyone is always friendly and it's a good time all around. read more

Nothing special, went one time didn't go back. the bar tenders were friendly enough and the games were fun, but the drinks were subpar and the food was kind of awful. read more

Had a great time reliving my youth at this awesome arcade bar! Seems to always have a decent crowd even on off nights. You can get a variety of mixed drinks along with shots. I'll definitely hit the Max when I'm back in town. read more

This place is amazing. Everyone working there is friendly as hell and what's better than beer and an old-school arcade? My only complaint would be that they have a handful of machines that are busted (yet, I have no idea who you would even call about that, some of those machines are near 30 years old). read more

this service was subpar. as we came in for service they ushered us out with no explanation and we were extremely disappointed. we hope for better in the future from more established businesses read more

I went there about a week ago. Awesome idea, but they don't maintain their games. I'd say at least 30% of them were out of order. Half the skeeball machine don't work, and the ones that do don't keep accurate score. Sad, really, because it has potential. read more