The 9 best places in Chicago for gamers

Chicago is packed full of places to visit and things to do, including a host of gaming venues. From virtual reality centers to board gaming cafes, there are venues ideal for solo gamers, families, and groups. Some venues cross the border between gaming and other activities, so visitors can enjoy axe throwing, indoor skydiving, and more.  

In Chicago, just like many other cities in the US, gaming is a popular pastime, both online and offline. Video gaming has grown in popularity, and physical board games are enjoying a renaissance of their own. Casinos and casino games have also become more advanced with extensive game selections and other beneficial features. Crypto online casinos can offer live dealer games as well as instant deposits and withdrawals. And players don’t need to get dressed up to meet door requirements or battle local traffic.

But for those who do want to head out to explore the city’s gaming options, here are some of the best:

1. Bally’s Casino

Bally’s Casino is the only casino in Chicago. It is temporarily located in the Medinah Temple Building but is set to open a new permanent home on the North branch of the Chicago River in 2026. The initial development will house nearly 3,000 slot machines and 100 table games, and Bally’s plans to expand on the resort when they see a return on their initial investment.

2. Logan Arcade

Located in the old Logan Hardware building on W. Fullerton Ave, Logan Arcade is a gaming arcade packed with a good mix of classic and modern arcade games, pinball tables, and other machines. There’s also a bar and the arcade hosts regular feature nights and events taking place throughout the week. Killer Queen and Pinball players can even enter tournaments to win prizes and show their skills.

3. Lucky Strike

Lucky Strike is a bowling center with 18 lanes, but it also has ping pong and pool tables, a bar, and a kitchen, and it features an arcade with 130 deluxe arcade games. There’s more than enough for groups to spend a day there, culminating in cocktails and some food from the late-night kitchen.

4. Headquarters Beercade

Located on River North, Headquarters Beercade is an arcade bar. As well as featuring live DJs and a well-stocked bar, Headquarters also has a collection of more than 70 classic arcade games with options ranging from Donkey Kong and NBA Jam to Frogger and Game of Thrones. There’s even a festive pop-up bar during the holiday season.

5. Chicagoland Games Dice Dojo

Chicagoland Games Dice Dojo is a board game and trading card game store. Like a lot of modern board game stores, you can pop in and try the games, and Dice Dojo is well known for its games “night”. Every Wednesday, players can turn up throughout the day and access the store’s library of over 1,000 demo games, meet up with like-minded board gamers, and try out some new titles or revisit old classics.

6. iFLY Indoor Skydiving

Skydiving is adrenaline-fuelled and highly exciting. If you’ve tried your hand at VR skydiving and enjoyed the experience, but are still unsure about throwing yourself out of an airplane, indoor skydiving at iFLY is a good alternative. Indoor skydiving uses powerful jets of air to effectively suspend you in a skydiving position so you enjoy the same benefits without the risks.

7. Fox In A Box

The escape room genre has become popular in video games and board games, especially when played with groups of close friends. Fox in a Box has four rooms, each with its own theme and challenges, which not only means you can choose the one that best fits your group but it also means you can revisit and still enjoy the experience multiple times.

8. The Game Show Game Show

For fans of family game show-style games, The Game Show Game Show is a great version that can be played in real life. Designed as a team-building exercise, families and friend groups can book and enjoy any of the popularly themed games like Survey Says or Spin To Win.

9. Bad Axe Throwing

Axe throwing has become a really popular pastime and with good reason. It’s competitive and challenging, and groups of at least four people can enjoy having a go at Bad Axe Throwing, where birthday celebrants can enjoy throwing for free.