Cidercade

The good, the bad, and the ugly. Alright, let's dive in. I hate that I only gave this place a 3 stars but as it sits we did not have a good time over all. I know a lot of it wasn't Cidercade's fault, but allow me to explain. My boyfriend and I raise my 8 year old (high functioning) special needs nephew, and this was our first time at Cidercade. I made sure to call in advanced to ensure today was family friendly and there wasn't any crazy events going on, as it was a holiday. The lady who answered ensured any time before 9pm was safe for families, and even ensured today was not a busy day in comparison to most holidays. We get there around 1:30pm and it was completely packed out. To be completely fair, there is a good sized parking lot allowing free parking for the patrons of Cidercade. Unfortunately, it was not enough to accommodate the (angry) masses. While I was making my rounds to find any spot, I get honked at by an impatient young lady who layed on her horn for 30 seconds because I guess I wasn't looking fast enough. After making our rounds circling the building for nearly half an hour, my boyfriend suggested parking in the lot next to Cidercade. There was so much traffic we missed the "towing enforced" sign which is neatly tucked away sideways facing rather than facing out to the street. But of course, that was our $300 mistake. We walk over to Cidercade, fought our way inside, and paid roughly $45 for entry. We did also order butter beer for myself and my boyfriend, and I will say it was fantastic! The place was a lot bigger than I expected, but unfortunately due to the high volume of people there, every machine was taken up. In the span of 3 hours we only got to play maybe 5 arcade games, 15 minutes of pinball, one game of basketball and one game of skee ball. One frustrating thing was there were no attendants to regulate how long people were on a machine. We tried to be mindful that there were others waiting to play, even though others were not as considerate. Once 4pm hit we decided it was time to go, as droves of more people started pouring in. We then had to fight our way back out of the building, as we could not find signs for a specified exit. There were again no attendants directing entry/exit and it was borderline dangerous to push our way out. Once we make it out, we discover the icing on the cake, our car was towed. We spoke to several people that hold memberships to Cidercade, and they said it was never this bad and they had never been towed before today. While we were in the adjacent lot, we witnessed at least 7 other vehicles towed. We had to Uber over to the lot (Zone One Auto Storage), which was $16 not including tip, and paid $310 to take our car out of impound. All in all, $397 spent for some arcade games. Again, most of it was not Cidercade's fault, but after a day like today, cider wasn't the only taste left in our mouth. TLDR: Very neat idea, but parking is a nightmare, beware.

2 weeks ago

Wow, this feels like the exact opposite of most of my other America experiences. Amazing value for money and good craft beer. Staff friendly and atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable. Would recommend you put this on your list of stops but allow a number of hours. Great selection of new and old games as well as heaps of pinball machines. Wish we had one of these in NZ as it would also suit any event.

a month ago

Cidercade offers a massive, neon-lit playground for gamers, but it feels more like a "drinks and play" spot than a full-service dining destination. Here is the breakdown of the experience: ​The Gaming Experience ​The main draw is undoubtedly the vast selection of games. The space is a massive, open-concept room packed with: ​Variety: A healthy mix of nostalgic 8-bit classics and modern, high-tech cabinets. ​Pinball Alley: A dedicated lineup of pinball machines for fans of the silver ball. ​Atmosphere: It’s loud, energetic, and perfect for groups or a casual date night. ​Food & Drink ​While the "Cider" in Cidercade is the star, the kitchen leaves something to be desired. ​The Drinks: They offer an impressive selection of ciders and craft beverages. It’s the perfect place to find unique flavors you won't see at a standard bar. ​The Food: The kitchen serves up pizza and salads, but the quality is mediocre at best. It’s functional fuel to keep you gaming, but don't expect a gourmet meal. There are several seating areas available for gathering, though they can fill up quickly during peak hours. ​Service & Entry ​The vibe here is very much "DIY." ​Minimal Service: Don't expect attentive table service. You’ll be handling most of your orders at the counter or through kiosks. ​The Waiver: Heads up—you are required to sign a waiver before you’re allowed onto the floor. It’s a bit of a hurdle at the door, but it’s a standard requirement for the venue. ​The Verdict ​Go for: The incredible variety of games and the unique cider selection. Skip: The pizza—eat a solid meal elsewhere before you arrive.

a month ago

Cidercade is awesome! I’ve been twice now, the second time being for their New Year’s Eve party. 🥳 Good prices to get in the door and then you have unlimited access to all the games. The prices for food are very decent and I love their ciders! Being here takes me back to simpler times and it always makes for a fun experience with friends.

2 months ago

Cidercade Houston is an absolute blast! The prices are unbeatable, especially for unlimited play, making it one of the best value entertainment spots in the city. The game selection is amazing—tons of classic and modern arcade games that keep the fun going nonstop. The drink selection is good too with crisp refreshing flavors. The atmosphere is energetic, fun, and just the right amount of hectic in the best way possible. Add in a great location and it’s the perfect place to hang out with friends, go on a date, or just unwind and have a great time. Unlimited fun, great vibes, and totally worth it—highly recommend! 🎮 5/5 will be back again

2 months ago