arcade+bar
we’re not open. yet.
indie darling is san francisco’s first arcade bar dedicated to the quirky and cutting edge of today’s indie arcade game scene.
when we open in spring 2026, you’ll find games here you’ll never see elsewhere—from one-offs and homebrew arcade cabinets to rare pinball machines trying to break the mold, to installations that are more artwork than game.
tucked in the heart of mid-market & soma pilipinas, indie darling is taking over 12,000 square feet comprised of two floors of arcade/bars and a top floor event space.
so get off your ipad, grab a drink, and tag team a friend to figure out how these games even work.
we got 'game'
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we got 'game' •
new games. no nostalgia.
we're curating a collection of the most inventive, ridiculous, and straight-up beautiful arcade games in san francisco. if it's a unique game and gets your heart racing, it’s on our radar.
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![indie game cabinet cakefoot at indie darling bar arcade in sf]()
cabinets
neon fever dreams that could only exist in a place like this. some of these beepboops are barely games and that's what's so cool.
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![unique indie game at indie darling in sf]()
alt.ctrl
beyond pinball and cabinets, these “alternative control” games don’t play by the rules, and that’s why we love them.
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![indie pinball machine evil dead at indie darling arcade bar in sf]()
pinball
from modern interpretations of the classics, to cult classic themes—yes, pinball is back and it has no time for your pappy!
achievement unlocked:
best night ever
we’re not just slinging next-level cocktails—we’re unlocking the ultimate vibe with tournaments, league nights, djs, dance parties.
leagues & tournaments
from the queer pinball league to cabinet launch parties, we’ve got a welcoming community to join and grow with.
private party? LFG.
forget corporate hotel ballrooms and uninspired networking spaces—indie darling is where game culture and creativity collide. whether it’s a post-gdc mixer, a birthday, an anniversary, or a game launch party, we’ve got you covered.
about indie darling
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about indie darling *
indie darling is an experimental playground where you can unplug from the mainstream, sip cocktails (non-alcoholic options too) and dive into the offbeat humor and bold creativity of indie developers, all while surrounded by a vibe that’s equal parts fun and unapologetically weird.
