The Operating Room Ankeny brings a barcade concept to the greater Des Moines metro area. Situated in Ankeny, Iowa, the venue blends a licensed bar atmosphere with arcade gaming, giving local adults a destination to play cabinets while enjoying drinks. It is one of several retro gaming venues that shape the gaming culture of central Iowa, and it sits squarely within a region that has built a reputation for blending nostalgic arcade play with social bar settings.
Des Moines and its surrounding suburbs have developed into a notable hub for barcade-style gaming, and The Operating Room Ankeny contributes to that scene alongside Monsterama Pubcade, Up-Down DSM, Clawz Entertainment, and Ricochet. Each of these venues offers a slightly different take on the format, and visitors exploring the region can chart them out using the interactive arcade map to plan an efficient route across the metro.
The Operating Room Ankeny is catalogued in the RetroArcade.com arcade finder, where it sits alongside other Iowa gaming venues for easy discovery by locals and travellers. Operators or owners who want to update the listing’s details, expand its description, or correct outdated information can do so through the claim your listing page.
At a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | Ankeny, IA |
| Phone | +1 515-289-0051 |
| Website | operatingroomarcade.com |
| Hours | Mon–Thu 1–11 PM; Fri 1 PM–1 AM; Sat 11 AM–1 AM; Sun 11 AM–11 PM |
| Rating | 4.4 out of 5 from 197 Google reviews |
| Best For | Adults looking for a barcade that pairs drinks with arcade gaming |
The Scene
With a 4.4 rating across 197 Google reviews, The Operating Room Ankeny maintains a solid reputation among visitors to the Des Moines metro. That kind of sustained feedback across nearly two hundred reviews is a useful signal for newcomers deciding whether the venue fits their plans, and it places the barcade comfortably above the average for its category. Detailed review themes are not currently summarized in the directory record, so visitors are encouraged to check the venue’s online presence and recent feedback for the latest impressions before heading out, since the snapshot above does not capture individual themes or standout comments.
Games & Machines
As a barcade, The Operating Room Ankeny operates at the intersection of two entertainment formats: a licensed bar and an arcade floor. The specific cabinet lineup, current pinball rotation, and any rotating game selection are not detailed in the current directory record, so visitors should consult the venue’s website or contact the staff directly for the latest games roster. The barcade format typically suggests a mix of classic and modern arcade machines suited to a social, adult crowd, with a rotation that may change over time rather than a fixed catalogue.
Visiting
The Operating Room Ankeny is located in Ankeny, Iowa, in the northern part of the Des Moines metro. Its hours run from early afternoon through late night on weekdays and stretch considerably longer on Friday and Saturday evenings, with weekend mornings opening earlier to accommodate day-trippers and afternoon visitors. Sunday closes at 11 PM, giving weeknight visitors a slightly tighter window than the weekend crowd enjoys.
As a barcade, the venue operates as a bar serving drinks alongside its gaming, which generally points to an adult-oriented atmosphere rather than a family entertainment center. Specific age policies, food menus, drink lists, and party or event booking options are not captured in the current listing, so calling ahead at +1 515-289-0051 is the most reliable way to confirm those details before visiting. The official website at operatingroomarcade.com should also reflect any current specials, themed nights, or tournament schedules that are not represented here.
Travellers planning a broader tour of central Iowa gaming venues can pair a stop at The Operating Room Ankeny with visits to nearby spots like Monsterama Pubcade, Up-Down DSM, Clawz Entertainment, and Ricochet. The RetroArcade.com arcade finder and the interactive arcade map are the easiest ways to plot an efficient route across the metro, and they make it simple to discover additional venues beyond those already highlighted on this page. Venue owners and operators can update this listing’s information, expand its description, or add event listings through the claim your listing page.