06/22/2026
After 15 unforgettable years, a chapter in Denver arcade history has come to an end.
The 1up Arcade Bar's original LoDo location on Blake Street has officially closed its doors.
When we opened on March 23, 2011, we had no idea what this little experiment would become. What started as a passion project built around classic arcade games, pinball machines, craft b**r, and a love for gaming grew into something far larger than we ever imagined.
The original 1up was Colorado's first arcade bar. At the time, the idea of combining a full-service bar with a large collection of classic arcade games and pinball machines was virtually unheard of in our state. Today, gaming has become a major part of the hospitality landscape, and while the industry has evolved in countless ways, we are incredibly proud to have helped pioneer that movement here in Colorado.
What began with a collection of classic arcade games and pinball machines helped inspire a generation of entertainment-focused hospitality concepts throughout Colorado and beyond.
Over the years, our Blake Street location became more than just a bar. It became a community.
It was a place where friendships were formed, birthdays were celebrated, first dates turned into marriages, leagues were built, tournaments were won, and memories were created one game at a time.
It welcomed guests from all over the world and hosted some truly remarkable events, including The Kong Off 2 and The Kong Off 3, internationally recognized tournaments that brought together the greatest Donkey Kong players on the planet, including current and former world record holders. For a brief moment, Denver became the center of the competitive arcade gaming universe, and we were honored to be a part of it.
Like so many businesses, we faced enormous challenges throughout our journey. We survived economic downturns, changing consumer habits, and a global pandemic. Thanks to the loyalty of our guests and the dedication of our staff, we always found a way to keep moving forward.
Ultimately, however, the combination of changing conditions in downtown Denver and the increasing financial pressures facing the hospitality industry made it clear that it was time for the next chapter.
While our original location has closed, The 1up Arcade Bar is not going away. Our Colfax, Greenwood Village, and Westminster locations remain open and will continue serving the communities that have supported them for years. The spirit of The 1up has always been bigger than any one location, and we are excited to continue that tradition while preparing for our next chapter in Lakewood.
And what an exciting chapter it will be.
This fall, The 1up Arcade Bar will continue its story in the Belmar Shopping District in Lakewood. Our new home will occupy the former Lucky Strike space and preserve much of the underground atmosphere that made the original LoDo location so memorable. At more than 13,000 square feet, it will be the largest 1up Arcade Bar we have ever built and will feature our most extensive collection of arcade games, pinball machines, redemption games, and attractions to date.
While the address may be changing, the heart of The 1up remains exactly the same.
To every guest who supported us, every employee who poured their energy into making this place special, every league member, tournament player, industry partner, vendor, and friend who walked through our doors over the last fifteen years: thank you.
Very few independent bars or restaurants are fortunate enough to serve their communities for fifteen years. We never took that privilege for granted.
The original LoDo location may have closed, but its legacy will live on in every future version of The 1up Arcade Bar. What we built together on Blake Street will never be forgotten. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for fifteen amazing years.
We look forward to welcoming you to the next generation of The 1up Arcade Bar in Belmar this fall.
With gratitude,
The 1up Arcade Bar
March 23, 2011 – June 22, 2026
The Original. The First. The One That Started It All.
Photo credit: Denver Westword
