Joystix Classic Games & Pinballs

This place needs to change its title and include «B2B» somewhere. We drove across town to come here only to find out that it’s a wholesale place that SOMETIMES let’s you play video games. Thanks but no thanks. Disappointed!

Interesting place. Lots of games but the controls on some of my favorites were sluggish or non-​functional. Not bad for a distraction but less than I expected. No plans to return.

My boyfriend and I came here during one of their Friday game nights along with two of our other friends, and we had a blast! We came here around 9:00 PM, and it was fairly crowded, but it definitely started getting more packed around 10:00 or 10:30.
On a side note, there was a food truck right outside the bar (completely forgot what it was called), but their spicy fries were so, so GOOD.

Really not much to add what the other 65 reviewers have covered except if you are following me then here are some cliff notes.
1) Every last Friday and first Monday of every month this place is opened to the public for $ 15 all you can play. Doors open at 9pm and you have to go to the bar to get your arm tag, cash only, there is an ATM machine inside though.
2)This is a business at any other opening hours so you can purchase the machines (the prices are steep) and a few actually have the prices on them. Do you have $ 9k laying around for a limited edition Kiss pinball machine? Yea I though so, $ 15 is the cheaper option.
3) It closes at 2 pm and they are not very nice about shooing you out of there so don’t take it personall y. I guess they want to go home or something right?
4) There must be about 40 pinball machines and another 50 arcade machines inside. I didn’t actually count, it’s just a memory guestimate.
5) Alcohol is sold here as well as next door, I believe you are allowed to bring your drinks inside here but have not tested the waters because I’ve always purchased from the back where you can get shots as well.
6) The restrooms are located in the bar, they’re very nasty, it’s supposed to be I guess, been that way the last 5 times I’ve been here.
7) It’s very cold in here, the A/​C works very well, especially in the winter. It is supposed to be this way since the machines preserve better in a cooler climate just like computers.
8)You were looking for tip #8 weren’t you?

I know. I’m the only one here writing a less than favorable review. It’s simple. What you need to know is this: you have to buy a wrist band at a bar next door, cash only. It’s sucks that this place can’t operate autonomously without having to walk through drunken disheveled people at the bar next door to get your badge. Hence the rating.

Lots of fun, busy NOISY place – great for a private party. Only spoilsport was the RUDE, surly doorman/​bouncer who didn’t fit the place’s laid-​back and enjoyable vibe. Full variety of games and pinball/​arcade machines. Super nice bartender, delish Dynamite drinks – what more can you ask for except decent customer service. Shame to be greeted at the door by such a mean grouch in an otherwise cool, colorful hang-​out.

Husband and I walked in by accident into a kids party and proceeded to leave right away after we realized, next thing you know an old rude white male is telling my husband I already told you not to come in I already saw you here I’m not gonna say it again (we are Hispanic and we were just at the Astros game so no we weren’t just there) we said we were leaving and the white man was still very rude and hostile toward us. It seemed like a great place but with that kind of customer service it deserves ZERO stars! –A

During the first and last Friday night of every month, Joystix opens as an arcade/​barcade with an all-​you-​can-​play deal for $ 15 (cash only). Parking across the street is free. They have all sorts of new and old retro style games such as four player pacman, mario go-​kart, nascar racing, classic simpsons, atari games, and dozens of pin ball machines.
The popular arcade machines are kind of difficult get to because of the crowd. Back in the old day, you would just place your quartar leaning on a glass panel to let other people know you are next. This is not the case here since all the games are free (assuming you paid for the $ 15 wrist band). If the person playing before you isn’t considerate, you may end up waiting for a while or just better off playing something else and coming back. I didn’t run into this issue that much though and was able to try just about everything I was interested in. Just be considerate after you play a round.
For once I was able to beat the Simpsons game. I used to play this game when I was a little kid but never got past the first level because I would have to use all my tokens. Since I didn’t need any tokens, I was able to defeat Mr. Burns on the last level! That would have cost me about $ 15 in quarters already haha.
I find it a great place to team build, hang out with friends, and meet new people (because of the bar/​lounge next door and multiplayer games). It’s a fun experience for everyone and I think it’s something really cool that Houston has to offer. I highly recommend trying this place out at least once.

You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe.
You take the red pill, you stay in wonderland — a wonderland full of 80’s video games with unlimited play for a $ 15 fee. Keep playing and I will show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.
This is your last chance. After this — there is no turning back.

Drove one hour to Joystix from Liberty, TX in order to take my friends there for their birthdays. We were denied entry since the two kids were under 21 — Something which was not stated in the website or the events advertising at all whatsoever. Not a single one of us came there for the bar aspect and nor was it stated that the bar was intrinsic to the experience.
2 hours driving, 20 minutes standing in line, 2 kids with cancelled birthday plans, and then an offer to comp something the next time we come back?
There isn’t a next time after that.

Definitely worth the entry fee. It was about $ 15 – 20, but one would easily spend that in an arcade. Lots and lots of old pinball machines and arcade games, you are bound to find classics that you remember, and oddball games that are unique.

So much fun for everyone! They have new games. Old games. Classics. Awesome time. Gotta go the first and last Friday of the month for unlimited play. Success.

This place is the best. So many fun games. It get’s packed though because it is just the best arcade of all time. Great mix of games new/​old. Clean. A couple of games didn’t work but that happens. I would say about 5% weren’t working. Tons of pinball.

Great selection of games appealing to all types. Scored 34 420 on Dig Dug because I’m awesome

Quite the hidden gem.
Unlimited video games & pinball for $ 15 (myst pay cash) and unlike Dave & Busters NO KIDS. The connecting bar is comfortable, reasonable price, and the staff is great. There is usually a food truck that comes around 9.
My only slight frustration is that if you don’t get there early there’s a line for the more popular games and just fiver trying to play Mario Kart.
Oh, and why are we only doing this once a month? Does the owner hate money

I’ve been meaning to come here but haven’t had get a chance to until last Friday. I’ve been missing out! It’s a laid-​back atmosphere where you can get a couple of drinks with a few friends and play video games. Come the first and last Friday of the month, they have unlimited play for $ 15. Drink prices are not bad either. I definitely plan to come back again.

This place is great! They have a lot of classic games (skee ball, air hockey, pinball, etc) and lots of newer videogames. It’s quite affordable and the location is great!
But be sure to arrive early because it gets packed! And parking may be difficult too.

What are you waiting for? Relive your teenage years by spending endless hours playing arcade games. Every Friday night, you can play unlimited games for only $ 15. Now that may sound steep, but it’s worth it if you plan on hogging Street Fighter or Area 51 the entire night like my friends did. There are plenty of games to check out, but do expect the place to get crowded.
Did I mention the multitude of pinball and skeeball machines! You can’t go wrong!
There’s also a bar adjacent to the arcade room for those of you who would like to unwind/​socialize if you’re not into gaming.

So many games! I’m still looking for that elusive X-​Men arcade game that I used to play as a kid though.
Get here early so you can hog the machine you want to play, because otherwise you might never get another chance! Definitely worth the $ 15 and the carpal tunnel as long as you’re able to play the games you want.
There’s a parking lot and it’s free as far as I’ve seen. There’s a bar attached (sometimes they have food on the outside patio) so you don’t necessarily have to leave if you get thirsty or hungry.
I do wish that they had more places to set your drink down on, though. Spilling your drink on a machine or on another person is no bueno.

I came here for a private party where endless game play was happening all night! I was there when the hostess signed the final check and it was a pretty penny — $ 1500.
Forget video games. I discovered my love for PINBALL MACHINES. Especially the X-​Men series. There were rows and rows of all sorts of pinball machines. Elvis. Star Wars. And your various comic book characters.
The adjacent bar served affordable bottled beer and wells.
Thankful that there’s street parking!