Players Sports Grill & Arcade sits in one of the most photographed corners of San Francisco: Pier 39, the bustling waterfront complex that draws millions of visitors each year. Despite the directory’s “video arcade” classification, the venue operates primarily as a sports bar and grill, with the arcade functioning as a secondary amenity. The address at 2 Beach St places it directly on the bay, where the dining room, tiki-themed Luau Lounge, and game area all share sweeping San Francisco Bay views.
The venue has branded itself the “Official Sports Bar of Pier 39” and leans heavily into sports fandom, particularly around soccer. For visitors searching for a straightforward arcade experience, it is worth setting expectations: the games here are a complement to the food, drink, and big-screen sports viewing, rather than the main draw. Travelers comparing options across the city can browse the full directory through the arcade finder or plot out locations on the interactive arcade map.
At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 2 Beach St, San Francisco, CA |
| Phone | +1 415-981-6300 |
| Hours | Daily, 11 AM – 10 PM |
| Rating | 4 out of 5 from 1,900 reviews |
| Best For | Families, casual drinkers, large groups, date night |
What Players Say
The 1,900 Google reviews paint a textured picture. Atmosphere and waterfront location earn consistent praise, with one reviewer calling it a “perfect getaway from the tourist trap that is Pier 39” — Google review. Bay vistas are another clear high point, summed up as “the view of the water was phenomenal” — Google review. Families and groups with kids also rate the venue positively, with one reviewer simply noting “great if you have kids” — Google review, and sports fans appreciate the wall-to-wall TV coverage: “There are TV’s everywhere! Literally!” — Google review.
On the food and drink side, reviews are mixed. Many guests praise the cocktails for their strength (“drinks that are not watered down” — Google review) and call out the staff as well (“Next level customer service!!!!” — Google review). Others note that prices run high, which one reviewer framed as “it’s pricey but this is a high dollar area after all” — Google review. Arcade-specific feedback leans negative on price — “Arcade games are expensive, very expensive compare to D&B” — Google review — and mixed on selection, with one guest describing it as “a run down version of Dave and Busters from a game perspective” — Google review. Two reviews also flag serious service complaints, with one alleging “blatant discrimination” — Google review, an issue worth weighing alongside the otherwise positive tone.
Games & Machines
The arcade at Players Sports Grill & Arcade is described on the venue’s own homepage as offering “several retro & modern arcade selections,” with both retro arcade games and modern arcade games listed among the amenities. No specific machine brands, cabinet counts, or pinball models are published on the venue’s site, and pricing beyond a $10 game card promotion tied to breakfast purchases is not disclosed. For visitors who want a deeper catalog of dedicated barcades and game rooms in the same city, Emporium Arcade Bar is a well-known alternative worth checking out via its San Francisco listing.
Visiting
Players Sports Grill & Arcade is open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM, with the same seven-day-a-week schedule across Monday through Sunday. The address is 2 Beach St on Pier 39, with the venue reachable by phone at +1 415-981-6300 and reservations accepted through that line. The kitchen covers a broad sports-grill menu ranging from $5.99 sides up to a $34.99 NY steak, with burgers (Kobe cheeseburger, Players burger, and a Malibu Garden veggie burger), seafood (Dungeness crab cakes, fish & chips, halibut, salmon, clam chowder in sourdough bowls, and coconut shrimp), flatbread pizzas, wings, ribs, salads, fettuccine, and a kids menu priced at $9.99. A full bar pours craft beer, Stella Artois, Michelob Ultra, house margaritas, tequila sodas, and tiki/island cocktails served in the dedicated Luau Lounge. A kids menu is available for children 12 and under; no explicit age restriction is posted for the arcade area itself.
Private events are available and can be booked by phone through the main line. The venue also runs a Match HQ! watch-party program tied to 2026 FIFA matches, including a Fútbol Fever promotion running June 11 through July 19, 2026, and FIFA Commemorative Stella Chalice giveaways during that window. Bay views, tiki-bar theming, and the kids menu make the venue a frequent pick for families, large groups, casual drinkers, and date-night outings.
For more options across the city, browse the arcade finder, open the arcade map to see how this venue sits among nearby spots, and use the claim-your-listing tool if you operate a venue and want to update its directory entry.