Over the past few months, local developer Orchestra Partners has been putting the finishing touches on Urban Supply, a highly-anticipated new project in Birmingham’s Parkside district.

Several Urban Supply tenants have already opened their doors, and more are opening very soon—including Alabama’s first Up-Down Arcade Bar.

“At Up-Down Arcade Bar, there’s always something to do.”

In 2012, founders Josh Ivey, Rafe Mateer and Sam Summers opened the first Up-Down Arcade Bar in Des Moines, Iowa. The concept was simple: beer, pizza and classic arcade games.

“We’ve all been to bars where the only entertainment was something on TV. At Up-Down Arcade Bar, there’s always something to do—skeeball, pinball, vintage arcade games, you name it.”
David Hayden, Communications Manager, Up-Down Arcade Bar

The concept was a hit, and Up-Down has since expanded to seven locations throughout the country. Each one is packed with a huge array of arcade games, pinball machines, skeeball alleys, vintage console games and more, ranging from single-player games to games with up to ten players.

“At Up-Down, we believe its important to give guests some way to interact. When you think back to the classic arcades we went to as kids, there was an important social component. Whether you’re playing with or against someone, you’re interacting face-to-face with a shared interest.”
David Hayden, Communications Manager, Up-Down Arcade Bar

Each arcade game at Up-Down is the real deal—you won’t find emulations played on flatscreen TVs. Up-Down’s Iowa warehouses contain anywhere from 400-600 vintage arcade games at any given time; once repaired, these arcade games will circulate through different Up-Down locations across the country.

“The games that get the most play stick around, and the ones that don’t catch on get cycled out. We want to create a fun environment that allows people to discover new games and enjoy their favorite old classics.”
David Hayden, Communications Manager, Up-Down Arcade Bar

While the flashy arcade games are the most eye-catching, Up-Down’s bar component is just as important. Behind the bar, Up-Down stocks a tasty menu of cocktails and craft beers—many of which are local to each location. And if you get hungry? Up-Down prides itself on its pizza—made to order using in-house dough and quality toppings.

Alabama’s first Up-Down Arcade Bar

After opening their newest location in East Nashville in 2021, the Up-Down team turned their eyes toward Urban Supply in The Magic City.

“It’s hard to believe this project has been almost three years in the making! In that time we have become more and more excited about our neighborhood, the Urban Supply development and Birmingham as a whole. We can’t wait to show Birmingham what we have to offer as both an arcade bar and a neighborhood watering hole.”
Josh Ivey, Co-Owner, Up-Down

Here’s what we know about Up-Down’s upcoming Parkside location:

It will include 60 different arcade games, pinball machines, skeeball alleys and more.
The bar will offer cocktails, craft beer (including options from local breweries) and pizza by the slice.
Up-Down will also operate an outdoor patio area with a container bar component; once complete, the outdoor bar will include five containers with two levels of outdoor seating.

Up-Down is coming to Birmingham in April; let them know what games you’d like to play 👇

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Excited to see Up-Down open a new location in Birmingham? Follow @updownbham on Instagram and click on their latest post to let them know what games you’d like to play!