The One Up

Ive been here a few times and have Always been impressed with the service and ambiance. The drinks are good and the staff is very warm and friendly. Love the fact that its so close to where i live

Free video games with drink/​food purchase. Perfect for 80’s kids and other people who enjoy awesome things.

THE ONE UP: STUCK UP
Coming from Oregon I’ve been to my share of really awesome barcades. Who doesn’t like drinking and playing old video games from time to time? So when my co-​workers and I decided to plan a meet up after work, we thought, what better place for the animation team than ‘The One Up?’ Unilocal said it was «amazing» and the pictures looked cool, and «free video games»? SOLD!
DRESS CODE
–No sports related attire/​no team branded anything
–No joggers or sweatpants
–Sweatshirts are even questionable
–No Jerseys, tanktops, sleeveless shirts, etc.
REASONS for DRESS CODE (according to the bouncer):
«It attracts the ‘wrong’ kind of people.»
«A (sports) bar up the street kept having fights until they banned jerseys.»
I’m not a sports nut, so why am I making such a big deal over this dress code thing? Well, 14 out of 15 of us arrived and got in and started drinking and eating and playing video games and it was awesome. Then, one of my co-​workers couldn’t get in because he was wearing sweatpants. I mean, in a dark bar, you wouldn’t even notice and in a supposedly «fun» barcade, I never would’ve thought they’d be so strict about attire.
The staff were all very nice from the hostess’ to the bartenders even the managers, though, tragically useless, wasn’t a dick, he basically said it was the owner’s call and he’d get in trouble for breaking his rules. I can understand that.
Overall the food was pretty amazing!
Recommendations:
Cap ‘n Crunch Wings
–Super Crunchy
–Juicy and flavorful meat
–Use the hot sauce to achieve that sweet and spicy balance
Goat Cheese Tots
–Amazing
–I could eat these by the dozens
FREE VIDEO GAMES
–surprisingly, not that great, and this is coming from an old school video game lover!
–Most of the games are knock-​offs of NES games
–Controls are damaged/​non-​working (Mortal Kombat 4 — player 1 + 2)
–disappointing but free so I’m not factoring this into my review.
I’m not a sports nut or anything and honestly, if my co-​worker was allowed in no problem I wouldn’t even have noticed nor known there was a dress code. The people that come in here or at least on that Wednesday night didn’t look dressed up at all. They looked like H&M or Urban Outfitters shoppers. I saw no one in suits, no sports coats, lots of jeans, no slacks though I wasn’t really looking for them. Everyone was super casual.
Ultimately, the owner makes the rules. I think they definitely should’ve made an exception for us because we weren’t going to drop $ 500‑1000 dollars that night on food and drinks and we’re just 15 people. We’d already ordered basically 2 of everything and we were just getting started.
I doubt any of us will ever go back and it’s ironic because none of are gangsters or hoodlums, we’re a collection of designers and animators who dress comfortably as we usually sit for up to 12hrs a day.
This place is trying too hard to be way too fancy.

DO NOT drive 45 minutes to go meet up with 20 people here in joggers or you WILL BE denied entry.
Last night I came here to meet up with 20 co-​workers where we had planned a group outing. It’s a BAR with ARCADE games, so who would think there was a strict dress code. I’d been to this place before and didn’t notice it being upscale or fancy. IT’S A BAR WITH ARCADE GAMES.
After I made the 45 minute drive, I approached the door and thought I was being stopped by the door guy to check my ID. «You got any other pants?» he asked. I thought to myself, ‘Ummm let me check, nope, i don’t carry extra pants around’. «We have a dress code, it’s the owner’s rule, no sweatpants.» I asked if he was kidding, because I wasn’t dressed like a slob, I had not just come from the gym and I certainly didn’t look like a thug or gangster. «It’s on the website» — well sorry but when people ask me to meet them at a BAR WITH ARCADE MACHINES, I don’t immediately assume there is a dress code or go to the website to check. My outfit was ripped straight from the movie «Creed.» I was not wearing sweatpants, I had on «joggers.» I told him I had just driven 45 minutes to meet a group of 20 people already inside, but the door guy was enjoying the little authority he has in life to deny me entry. I was being very polite and friendly as that’s usually the best way to handle situations like this, but he was getting his kicks by telling me no. «If my boss comes and sees it, he’ll chew me out and I don’t feel like that tonight. He doesn’t allow sweatpants, sports attire, jerseys or tank tops». As I was waiting for my group to leave the bar, a guy walked out with shorts on covered in paint, a Kings jersey and a beanie cap. That guy heard what was going on and told the door guy «You let ME in.» Side by side the guy looked homeless and I looked runway ready. As we were all leaving, someone from the group asked the door guy about the policy and the door guy said they don’t want «THAT TYPE» of crowd. I don’t want to assume what type of crowd he was referring to as I’m a white gay male, but what stereotypical type wears such clothing?
Also, don’t even let me get started on what females are allowed to wear (next to nothing), it’s 2016 and this is Los Angeles, you are a BAR with ARCADE machines in Studio City, not Beverly Hills and you lost 20 customers and any future business from our company.
my outfit–

It’s an interesting concept of free retro games, mixed with alcohol. Cool place to hang out, but a little disappointed on the food. The items I wanted to order were only listed on a ‘weekend’ part of the menu (kinda sucks). Then I tried the chicken sliders. Way too much sauce on the coleslaw. I would stick with the basic sliders, those were very good. I would’ve like to see more signature drinks with vodka. I think there was only one. Other than that, it was a unique experience. Lots of potential with some minor upgrades.

I came to The One Up on Saturday night with a few friends and we had a good time. We parked with the valet which was $ 6, and pretty much the only option for parking. The place was really busy, pretty much standing room only and it was a little cramped. I didn’t really know where to stand. We got a few drinks, everyone enjoyed them. My friend ordered bread pudding and my other friend got tacos. The food was ok but nothing special. The games were fun, and it was really nice that they were free. I think I would come back, but probably not very often, the environment would get old if I went on a regular basis.

place was super crowded. lot of people waiting to order a drink. the staff were working super hard and super fast but not enough of them to manage the amount of people that come in. under staffed: waited 15 to 20 minutes to get my beer. waited just about the same when I went to close out my tab.
empty tables that are reserved but I was there til closing and no one ever sat at those reserved tables.
asked the waitress we wanted separate checks and she said she can do that at the end. well instead of that we all just got the bill divided evenly; I end up paying 33 bucks for 1 burger and 1 beer. and my friend who had 2 burgers 2 fries and 4 beers also paid 33 bucks… 2 other people also paid 33 bucks regardless of what they ordered
when I ordered my burger I also ordered fries. when I got my burger which I had to ask where was it, it didn’t come with fries. so I was wondering what happened apperantly they don’t get brought to you at the same time. the fries were a side not an appetizer. so since no one else ordered fries the server took them back since I figured mine would come with my burger… in the end said fuck it and made the waitress remove them from my check
one up ale sucks. think of watery bud light with just more hops added. no balance between malty and hoppy.

Great food and FREE old school arcades :)
Dill cocktail is refreshing. Monkey brew is delicious.
Best dishes :
Goat cheese tots
Garlic fries
Tacos
Mac and cheese

Love this place. The cocktails are wonderful and the food is surprisingly delicious. The menu (both food and drink) is creative and 80’s inspired. Strongly recommend the French Dip Sliders.
Lots of games in the back and they’re all free to play.

Overall, great spot. Tons of people there on the weekends, big bar space, seating/​dinner options available, and the back area had 10 – 15 stand up video game units with six games per machine… 6 per page and you can switch pages. 1980s-​style games included: Pac-​Man, Ms. Pac-​Man, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros., Galaga, Centipede, Frogger, and so on.
Many of the menu items were «tapas-​style,» but I’m not sure the menu said that. Also, the food names and descriptions sounded fancier than the actual product. The Goat Cheese Tots were actually fried cheese balls (with goat cheese inside) and nothing related to tater tots, and the portion was pretty small. The four small tacos were very non-​traditional, with Indian-​type fry bread instead of tortilla. Good idea, but the bread was too fluffy and there wasn’t enough meat on top. Good portions on the beef Slider Trio, but each burger was just ok.

Great place for fun, drinks and an overall good time! An arcade for adults, in a nutshell. The wings were delicious and the sliders were even more delicious! You have many different choices as far as games you want to play. You also have a ton of choices for finger foods so that you can constantly drink, munch and play games. I loved it! Definitely a great way to spend the night!

Went here with a couple friends a few nights ago.
Ordered drinks at the bar, waitress took our credit cards and said she will bring them back to us. We sat at the arcade table. Waitress came back with our drinks and cards.
The morning after, I got a call from my credit card. My credit card had fraud charges. My card info got stolen by the waitress or someone who works there.
I had not used my card anywhere else prior to going there.

Came here to check out the games and get some drinks for a chill Sunday night…
The cocktails were pretty terrible. The moscow mule and the pear perfection were basically watery alcohol with a splash of bitterness. Really did not taste good I ended up chugging my mule. The girls took their drinks and added tonic water to make them palatable lol.
The food was another missed opportunity. The parmesan fries were burnt and the tomato soup that came with the grilled cheese had way too much salt…
To top it off, the games are mostly boring and too similar except for the one Mortal Kombat machine.
In summary, bad drinks, bad food, bad games. yikes, maybe they were having a bad day?
Next time we’re breaking out the cocktail shaker and staying home with the PS4, netflix, and chill.

I really liked this niche-​y place. It’s really close to where I live, and I had never been. My bro was in town, and I figured their happy hour would be kind of ideal. We stopped in on a Friday evening, and I immediately noticed that they had extended their happy hour hours to 8pm (Score!).
I grabbed a beer, and my bro got a beer and New Mexican Tacos. I know this has been in a few reviews, and you can see from the menu — but all of the food has a foodie, silly, childlike twist. The New Mexican Tacos were good, but I don’t know that I’d call them tacos so much as savory donuts with taco-​like toppings. Which, again, totally delicious.
We mosied over to the back where the games were. We settled on the generic multiple game console. I played a few rounds of PacMan, he played some Galactica. It was very chill and very fun. I’d definitely go back with friends for happy hour or late night.

Woohoo, second Barcade that I’ve been to. Other than Eight-​Two in DTLA, this is the other one I know of.
This one doesn’t have too many games, but they were all free to play. There are couches and tables to sit around the area, so just order a drink and enjoy your time there.
Games were mostly old school games. Not many choices to choose from but hey, barcades are cool.

I always wanted to step into this place only because of the sign. I had a feeling that this was going to be my new favorite place!!! I had a hard time checking what the name of the place was because it was just a symbol. It looked like an android from the classic space invaders game for atari. If this was true, then you know it had to be a barcade place. One of the best hybrids out there. A gathering of gamers of all levels and drinking of those legal to drink and don’t really like talking too much.
The ambiance is like any other bar lounge which is great because there was light, but not too much light. It was loud, but not too loud. The crowd was having fun, but not too much fun. It surely was just right.
As you walk in, the bar is on the left side and the restaurant is on the right. So of course, the very first spot most people would walk to is the bar. Specials are usually what makes the bar and when a bar has an old fashion, this place becomes my new favorite spot. I guess that is why people call me old fashion… because of my drink, i dont think im that old. :)
Now comes to the food… The food is nothing but guilty pleasures for all types. It seems like the later you come here, the better the food gets. When i scrolled to my fellow Unilocalers, a lot of reviewers said to try the grill cheese. So i listened and ordered. Its simple, but delicious. Was it because of the old fashion? maybe, but i was enjoying myself too much to deny it.
Captain crunch fried chicken… Nothing but sweet greatness. You MUST come in and try these fried chicken. I guess it was just my taste buds, but i love when they make food sweet when it shouldn’t be.
Will i come back for more? you bet i will… i even forgot to mention, the games here are FREE!!!

My new finding late night restaurant/​bar in the valley. The cocktails are reasonably priced and the food are tad rely bar food. But what made me fall in love with this place is the ambiance and the old school arcade games lined up in the back of the restaurant.
I’ve tried the the Sadie cocktail which is basically vodka base. It was smooth and made me crave for me.
As for food, my boyfriend and I shared the captain crunch fried wings and the grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup dip. Omg, the grilled cheese sandwich was so worth the calories and it was only $ 10! The fried wings is priced at $ 12. My sadies vodka base cocktail is priced at $ 10. The cocktails are around $ 10-​$ 13 range which isn’t so bad. The tapas style food ranges from $ 10-​$ 15. Oh yeah! Can’t go wrong with that!

Came here over the weekend with the boys. I crashed boys night out. The one up reminds me of EightyTwo in Little tokyo, but with more food, and free games!
I think the best thing about this place is the fact that you can play arcade games for free! They have all the standard old school games like Donkey Kong, Mario Brothers, Mortal Kombat, Pac Man, Atari, frogger, and street fighter to name a few.
surprisingly on a saturday night it wasn’t too crowded, and everyone is able to get at least a few plays in.
Food wise, they have a very eclectic and fun menu. My friends and i shared the parmesan tater tots, captain crunch wings, and bbq chip. The tots weren’t as amazing as everyone else rave about, very pricey for what you get.
The Captain crunch wings are very heavy on the batter, but pretty good in flavor. You get four pieces.
The bbq chips were nothing spectacular.
I would definitely suggest this place you’re looking for a chill night to play games and drink a few drinks.

Came here with a couple of friends yesterday and I had a ton of fun. No need to bring quarters here, games are free as long as you purchase drinks and/​or food. The night was sort of a blur but I remember playing Mortal Kombat, Pac Man, and Donkey Kong. The service was friendly and fast but I wish the bartender put my Moscow Mule drinks in those festive copper cups. I saw the other bartender doing so for someone else so I don’t know if my bartender was lazy or if they ran out of cups.
I can’t comment on the food since only drinks were purchased but I saw many people eating the sliders. My Moscow Mule was delicious and I stuck with that drink all night. Next time I definitely plan on buying some food.

This is a great happy hour spot! The menu has some great items such as jerk chicken, shrimp and grits, to Mac and cheese. The drink options are just as good with their Moscow mule to their coffee stout, to the golden hefeweizen.
Service was great as Kaitlin makes sure your needs are met.
Parking is on the street, Venture blvd.