Up-Down Birmingham brings a quarter-powered dose of retro nostalgia to downtown Birmingham, Alabama. Tucked along 13th Street South, this barcade blends the playful spirit of an ’80s and ’90s arcade with a working bar — a setup that has made it a go-to evening stop for locals who want their pinball and craft beer in the same room.
The concept is straightforward but executed with care: more than 60 classic arcade cabinets, a lineup of themed pinball machines, five Skee-Ball alleys, and a giant projector screen hosting Nintendo 64 and GameCube sessions. Every game still costs a quarter to play, a small detail that adds to the throwback atmosphere and keeps the night rolling without breaking the bank. It is part of the Up-Down arcade-bar brand, with this Birmingham location standing as the company’s Alabama outpost.
Downtown Birmingham has quietly built a reputation as a destination for entertainment and nightlife, and Up-Down sits comfortably within that scene. Visitors planning a broader night out can pair a stop here with nearby options like Great Big Game Show Birmingham, another group-friendly entertainment venue in the city.
At a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | 113 13th St S, Birmingham, Alabama |
| Phone | +1 659-272-4144 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday: 3:00 PM–2:00 AM Saturday–Sunday: 11:00 AM–2:00 AM |
| Rating | 4.5 out of 5 from 200 Google reviews |
| Best For | Adults seeking a retro arcade bar with craft beer, pinball, and house-made pizza |
The Scene
The atmosphere at Up-Down Birmingham is built around a simple promise: classic games, adult beverages, and a social crowd. The room feels like a reunion between an arcade and a craft beer bar — neon light reflecting off cocktail glasses while Skee-Ball balls clatter down the lanes a few feet away. Patrons can grab a slice of house-made pizza and a craft beer between rounds of Ms. Pac-Man or Donkey Kong Jr.
The venue is strictly 21+ during regular hours, but a series of designated Family Hours are scheduled throughout 2026. Those afternoons are listed as January 4th, February 1st, March 1st, April 12th, May 17th, June 14th, July 12th, August 2nd, September 13th, October 4th, November 8th, and December 6th, giving younger guests a chance to enjoy the games under a different age policy.
Games & Machines
Up-Down Birmingham’s floor spans more than 60 arcade cabinets from the ’80s and ’90s, plus a curated rotation of pinball machines and five dedicated Skee-Ball alleys. The lineup reads like a greatest-hits tour of the golden age of arcades, with Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Centipede, Frogger, Donkey Kong Jr., Dig Dug, BurgerTime, and Crystal Castles anchoring the classics. Fighting fans will find Street Fighter II: Champion Edition, Street Fighter Alpha 3, Mortal Kombat II, Mortal Kombat 4, Killer Instinct, Marvel Super Heroes, and Karate Champ ready for button-mashing duty.
Driving, shooting, and sports cabinets get equal attention, with Hydro Thunder, Rush the Rock, Championship Sprint, NBA Hangtime, RBI Baseball, Time Crisis 2, Area 51 / Maximum Force, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, House of the Dead, Gauntlet Legends, and Carnevil rounding out the harder-edged selections. Pac-Man Battle Royale: Chompionship offers a head-to-head twist on the original maze chase, while Moon Patrol, Food Fight, Ikari Warriors, Ninja Baseball Bat Man, Sunset Riders, Tapper, Vs. Super Mario Bros., Vs. Ice Climber, War: Final Assault, X-Men (6-Player), and the X-Men six-player cabinet fill out the deeper cuts. Dance Dance Revolution also makes an appearance for rhythm-game fans.
Pinball is a major draw. The current machine rotation includes Avengers: Infinity Quest, Cactus Canyon, Deadpool, Elvira: House of Horrors, Foo Fighters, Godzilla, Iron Maiden, Jaws, Jurassic Park, Star Wars (Pinball), Stranger Things, and Venom — a mix of modern releases and cult favorites.
Console gaming rounds out the offering. A giant projector screen hosts Nintendo 64 and GameCube sessions, while a rotating stock of Nintendo, Super Nintendo, and Sega consoles supplies additional couch co-op. Life-size Jenga and Connect Four blocks sit alongside the electronics for anyone who wants analog fun between rounds.
Visiting
Up-Down Birmingham is located at 113 13th St S in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. Hours run 3:00 PM to 2:00 AM Monday through Friday, with weekend hours opening earlier at 11:00 AM and running through 2:00 AM. The venue is 21+ during standard operating hours; the scheduled Family Hours dates are the only times younger guests are admitted.
Food is centered on house-made pizza. Slices are sold by the piece with unique toppings, and 18-inch pizzas made to order — using in-house dough — can feed groups of three to five. The bar pours a wide craft beer selection alongside bottles, cans, and cocktails. Special drink options include Alabama Frogger Lager, the venue’s branded house beer.
Happy-hour programming runs throughout the week. The 777 Happy Hour offers seven specials for $7 until 7 PM. Late-night hours from 11 PM to 2 AM include 2-for-1 tokens and half-price pizza slices, with $3.50 Alabama Frogger Lager. Thursdays bring 10-cent tokens all night. The first 100 guests on Fridays receive 20 free tokens and $2 slices until 8 PM. Saturdays run 2-for-1 tokens from 2 PM to 9 PM. Sundays feature the “Six-Pack and A Pound” deal — $30 for a six-pack of domestic tallboys, 80 tokens, and a fanny pack, exclusive to the Birmingham location.
Event planning is available for groups, with custom pizza orders and dedicated space for celebrations. Visitors interested in booking should consult the “Plan an Event” section of the venue’s website for current details. To compare Up-Down with other Birmingham entertainment options, browse the arcade finder directory or explore the interactive arcade map. Venue owners can claim their listing to keep their information current.