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Categories: Arcade News

Google Offers Update

We recently ran another fantastic deal via Google Offers, which quickly sold out! If you were one of the lucky people to grab one while it was available, congrats!

You can redeem the current Offer at Ground Kontrol today, Friday May 4, through Thursday, August 9. Some important notes:

  • If possible, please print your offer and bring it with you as opposed to showing it to us on your smart phone.
  • Please tip based on your food and drink total prior to the $10 discount! Our servers and kitchen staff will be working very hard to keep up with orders and make sure everyone’s happy.
  • Redeeming the offers may add a slight wait at the bar on occasion – please be patient with us. We think the tremendous discount will be worth any additional wait!
  • Remember, you can only use your Offer on a single visit – you can’t split it up over multiple trips or “save” the rest of the discount for another visit. If you don’t want to spend $10, that’s no problem, but you’ll be giving up the rest of your discount.
  • Finally, our bar opens at 5pm – so we can only serve alcohol from 5pm-close. You’re welcome to use your $10 food/drink credit during the day if you’d rather stop in during our all-ages hours from Noon-5pm.

That’s all for now! We look forward to serving you!

Categories: Arcade News, Bar News
whiskey-rocks

Ground Kontrol Now Serving Mixed Drinks

Pop quiz: Of all the ways we could upgrade Ground Kontrol’s already awesome pile of fun, what’s the one thing you’ve requested more than any other? “Booze, booze, booze!” Well, okay, that’s three things, but we’re excited that the certification, stocking, and training are complete, and we can finally grant your wish:

Ground Kontrol is now officially a full-service bar. If you’re 21 years of age or older, you and your friends can now enjoy mixed drinks and libations in addition to our usual selection of fine beer, wine and cider.

What’ll it be? Whiskey and Whitewater? Rum and Robotron? The possibilities are endless!

Categories: Arcade News, Events
no-pun-intendo-05-31-12

No Pun Intendo: Thursday May 31st

Some of Portland’s best stand-up comedians perform at Portland’s best arcade!

Featuring…

Steven Wilbur
Scoot Herring
Mandie Allietta
Phil Schallberger
Nathan Brannon
Ian Karmel

And your host, Jessie McCoy!

Begins at 9pm. 21+, just $3 cover!

READ MORE  >

Categories: Arcade News, Events
Triforce Trivia Night

Triforce Trivia Night – Sunday 4/29

Ground Kontrol’s Video Game Quiz Show has teamed up with Fangamer, PwnLove and OTL Gaming to present a very special night of trivia paying tribute to The Legend of Zelda series! AWESOME Zelda-themed prizes will be up for grabs to those who truly possess the Triforce of Wisdom!

From OTL Gaming:

Bring your all, because Fangamer, PwnLove and OTL Gaming have come together to offer a Hylian, fun-filled evening of Legend of Zelda trivia: Triforce Trivia Night at Ground Kontrol!

The Triforce Tribute Art Show from Land Gallery may have ended last weekend but we want to share one more night of showing off our love of all things Zelda so come out to Ground Kontrol (511 NW Couch St, Portland, OR 97209) on Sunday April 29th from 7pm-9pm. This event is 21 and older so be warned Gorons tend to get surly when they drink.

Posters designed by the talented Jon Kay.

Come down this Sunday and test your knowledge of all things Hylian! As always, the Video Game Quiz Show is a free event!

WHAT: Ground Kontrol’s Video Game Quiz Show: Triforce Trivia Edition

WHEN: Sunday, April 29, 7-9pm.

COVER: No cover! 21+ only.

Categories: Arcade News, Bar News

OPEN Regular Hours on Easter Sunday – Sunday April 8

Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade will be open regular hours on Sunday, April 8 during the Easter holiday.

We open at Noon, and all ages are welcome until 5pm. At 5pm, we begin serving beer, wine, spirits and our full food menu, and are 21+ only (with valid I.D.)

Bonus: We serve draft beer, draft cider and well cocktails at happy hour prices from 5pm-midnight, every Sunday!

We hope you can visit us with your family and friends this weekend!

Coming To The Pearl: Ground Kontrol’s “8-Bit Bistro”

PORTLAND, OR.– Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade has long been known as one of the more popular  haunts in Portland’s Old Town neighborhood. But now they’re making a play for the high-rise crowd in an unexpected way: by opening a bistro in the Pearl. Ground Kontrol Chef Emeritus Kyle Harasyn explains.

“Downtown fans already know about Ground Kontrol’s excellent food menu. Convincing Pearl residents to make the long journey into Old Town has been a challenge, though. I can understand…I mean, that’s four or five blocks at least, and no valet parking to speak of. Then you have the Park Blocks creating an almost impassable divide and, well…no wonder they hardly ever make it.

“We really want to reach this new audience, though, and we think we’ve found a way: Bring the Ground Kontrol menu to the Pearl, and tailor it to their sensibilities. We’re calling it ’8-bit cuisine in a 5-star format.’” READ MORE  >

Categories: Portland Pinbrawl

Portland Pinbrawl 2012

Portland Pinbrawl 2012

Ground Kontrol’s 4th Annual

Pinball Tournament!


On Sunday, April 22nd, 2012, 128 of the best pinball players from Portland and beyond will once again gather at Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade for Portland’s biggest pinball tournament!

PRE-REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Register NOW by clicking herePortland Pinbrawl is capped at 128 players and it usually fills up well before the day of the tournament.

Portland Pinbrawl 2012 takes place Sunday, April 22nd. On-site registration (if any slots are available) begins at 10:00am. Tournament begins at 11:00am and ends “when it’s over!”

READ MORE  >

No Pun Intendo - Poster by Vo Minh McBurney - http://vomcburney.tumblr.com/

No Pun Intendo: Comedy Returns to Ground Kontrol! Thursday April 26

Video games, pinball, beer, food AND comedy? Are we crazy or just crazy awesome? We’re excited to announce the next No Pun Intendo, the comedy show that debuted at Ground Kontrol last summer to an absolutely packed house!

We’re hosting some of Portland’s funniest people on Thursday, April 26. Come down for a night of video games & hilarity with…

Jeff Oliver
Jon Washington
Tynan Delong
Christian Ricketts
Gabe Dinger
Anthony Lopez

…And your host, Danny Felts!

Just $3 at the door. 21+ only – in addition to a massive selection of classic arcade games and pinball tables, Ground Kontrol has a full bar and tasty food menu!

Special thanks to Raishawn Wickwire for booking and Vo Minh McBurney for the poster & handbill art!

READ MORE  >

Portland Pinbrawl 2012: Registration now open!

UPDATE: To view more information on Portland Pinbrawl 2012 (including how to book a discount hotel room at either Jupiter Hotel or Ace Hotel), visit our Portland Pinbrawl 2012 page!

It’s time to put your name on the line! Portland Pinbrawl returns to Ground Kontrol on Sunday, April 22nd, 2012, and registration is now open at Rose City Pinball.

Registration costs $20 and only 128 players will be accepted. Why miss out on a chance to win cash and a pinball machine? Click here and register today!

Stay tuned for more updates on Portland Pinbrawl – and start practicing!

 

Categories: Arcade News

Play DDR & Win Tickets to The FP at Hollywood Theater! 3/10 – 3/15

Ground Kontrol is teaming up with the Hollywood Theatre to send some lucky (and skilled) DDR fans to see the rhythm-game inspired independent film The FP!

The FP centers around two gangs fighting for territory in Frazier Park, doing battle in the lethal video game “Beat Beat Revelation”. Check out the trailer now!

Here’s how you can enter to win tickets to see this instant cult classic at the Hollywood Theatre!

  1. Starting Saturday, March 10 through Wednesday, March 14, play Dance Dance Revolution at Ground Kontrol and put up a high score OR wear your best futuristic/neon street wear while you play. (Check out The FP trailer for inspiration!)
  2. Take a photo of your initials & score or you playing DDR in your FP-inspired outfit. (Good excuse to  involve a friend!)
  3. Upload the photo to Twitter using the hashtag #theFPHollywood and be sure to include @HollywoodTheatr and @GroundKontrol in the message so we see it. Alternately, upload the photo to Ground Kontrol’s Facebook wall at http://facebook.com/GroundKontrol.
  4. On Thursday, March 15, we’ll select 5 lucky winners at random who will reach receive 2 tickets to The FP at the Hollywood Theater! The 2 best costumes chosen by Ground Kontrol will also receive a $10 Ground Kontrol gift certificate. One entry per person, please!

The FP opens Friday, March 16 at the Hollywood Theatre. For showtimes and more information, visit HollywoodTheatre.org.

Categories: Arcade News, Bar News

Ground Kontrol’s Tecmo Bowl! Sunday February 5

Prefer your football 8-bit, with no commercials, and the unstoppable Bo Jackson? Come down to Ground Kontrol Sunday, February 5 for Ground Kontrol’s Tecmo Bowl!

We’ll have Tecmo Bowl and Tecmo Super Bowl available for free play on the classic NES in our lounge, from 5pm until close! That’s right: Play two of the greatest classic football games of all time on our giant projection screen, enjoying our full bar and awesome food menu!

Grab some nachos and a cold drink and prepare to enter the 2-dimensional gridiron. Even better: Ground Kontrol serves draft beer and well drinks at happy hour pricing from 5pm-midnight, every Sunday!

Once again, kickoff is at 5pm. See you on the pixelated astroturf!

WHAT: Ground Kontrol’s Tecmo Bowl

WHEN: Sunday, February 5, from 5pm-close.

COVER: No cover! It’s free to play Tecmo Bowl and Tecmo Super Bowl. 21+ only.