Our Top 3 Arcades in Melbourne
We love our local Melbourne gaming arcades – especially since they are open rain, hail or shine. When it comes to What Ability and providing the safest disability support for our participants, we’re big fans of our local arcades!
When it comes to supporting NDIS participants and ensuring inclusive community access, Melbourne’s arcades shine bright. These venues provide a fun and safe environment that promotes:
- Social interaction
- Skill development
- Community engagement
For individuals aiming to improve their social skills, the arcade offers a space to interact with peers, fostering communication and relationship-building in a relaxed setting. The various games and activities available can help develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive abilities, aligning with goals related to physical and mental development.
Additionally, the arcade structure is a safe and stimulating place for participants to practise independence, build confidence, and experience a sense of accomplishment. By integrating these experiences, a local gaming arcade supports the holistic development of NDIS participants, making strides towards their personal and social goals!
Whether you’re battling it out in a classic game of pinball or teaming up for a high-stakes round of air hockey, arcades are a great tool to build confidence and improve social skills.
With participants enjoying community access year-round, the answer was clear!
Looking for new support workers in Melbourne? Our team is ready! You pick the adventure and we’re in! To get started check out our top pages:
- How to book a Meet and Greet
- OR get started with What Ability and sign up here
3. Akira’s ARCADE
326 Chapel St, Prahran
Coming in at third place is Akira’s Arcade! This vibrant, family-friendly gaming venue, combines the excitement of classic arcade games with modern entertainment. Also known as “Melbourne’s Hottest Anime-Themed Gaming venue”, it offers a diverse range of games, from nostalgic favourites to the latest interactive experiences. With a welcoming atmosphere, tasty snacks, and fun prizes, Akira’s Arcade is a great destination for a fellow quest lover or Dungeons and Dragons fan.
- Fun fact: We may be biased, but we think this arcade may have the best claw machines in Melbourne!
2. B Lucky & Sons Melbourne Central
Level 3/211 La Trobe St, Melbourne
Claiming the second spot on this list is B. Lucky & Sons Melbourne Central. This unique, retro-themed arcade offers a nostalgic gaming experience. With a wide selection of games and good food options, it’s the perfect spot to get the heart rate up and have a laugh! We especially love the basketball and Mario kart games.
- Fun fact: The team at B Lucky & Sons have developed sensory maps for over five of their venues nationally! Keep your eyes peeled for yours Melbs!
- Companion card: Fun and inclusivity is at the heart of the arcade! Bring your companion card and receive free access for your carer!
- Ticket link
If you haven’t already, consider joining What Ability Foundation for your first arcade experience – you might even win a family pass to our #1 pick!
1. Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq Chadstone
1341 Dandenong Rd Service Rd, Chadstone
Topping this list is Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq located in Chadstone. This fan favourite arcade is much more than your typical arcade games, you’ve also got easy access to bowling, laser tag, VR experiences, as well as Dodgem Cars!
In our opinion, it’s a fun-filled destination for all ages – thank you Funlab crew! There’s lots of different games for all abilities so you can play alone or grab the crew and book a bowling lane! If it’s a weekday, it’s likely you’ll spot a support worker or two with their participants at the Jurassic Park game.
Good news, they also have good food. So after all that gaming, our crew typically grab lunch there. The American diner meets amusement park themed menu is definitely a crowd pleaser so the crew were very well fed! For more information or to make a booking, head to their Archie Brothers website.
- Fun fact: They serve up the best hot chips in town—crispy, golden, and absolutely addictive!
- Companion card: Good news! Archie Brothers welcomes Companion Cards and gives free arcade access to carers.
- Ticket link
Looking for more fun in Melbourne with your support worker? Follow us on socials or if you’re a What Ability participant, check out our activity planners here.
If you’re keen to know more about how What Ability can support your needs, head to our website or call the team on 1300 358 714. Our Melbourne team can’t wait to hear from you!