Play on a wide selection of classic video games, pinball machines, and stand-up cabinets in a nostalgic setting.
Enjoy creative cocktails, craft beers, wines, and spirits at our bar, with drinks themed to enhance the gaming experience.
Groove to music from our DJs on a dedicated dance floor, perfect for weekend parties and lively nights.
Book our venue for birthdays, corporate events, or private parties with customizable options and group-friendly amenities.
Grab delicious bites from the downstairs food court, including pizza and other tasty options available on-site.
Been going for just about over a year and I love this place. They are going under new management and it sounds like the place is going to go from good to great with this change. Talked with the new manager Sunny yesterday and he’s got some big plans to level the place up. It has great pinball machines (the best selection in my area), great stand-up cabinets, great drinks, and a digital jukebox. The atmosphere is great and I’m always there for at least three to five hours.
Drinks range from $8 - $16. Great acoustics. So much potential here. Arcade games, drinks, DJ and a dance floor... who could ask for more? Me. Change the blown speakers, ditch the fog machine (ugh), and fix or label the arcade games with broken controllers. Other than that, I can't wait to go back. The food court downstairs is also pretty good.
It's a hodgepodge of bars, a food court and a super vintage arcade. Combination of sometimes too loud and sometimes too quiet, you just pick your mid-week chill mode or your weekend party vibe. Great for playing pinball rounds with your friends.
I wanted to like this bar, but ultimately I don’t think it was for me. I found Mission Control on Yelp. I really liked the concept. I loved the video game theme and was so excited to give them a try. We found a $5 parking garage nearby and walked over. The entrance was a little difficult to find, but we got there eventually. When we arrived, it was around 11pm on a Saturday night. There were less people than I was expecting at this time, and it was not as lively as I’d hoped it’d be. The DJ, despite the vacant dance floor, was pretty good, and a couple of guests were having a good time dancing together. In the arcade section, some other guests were enjoying the collection of games with drinks in hand. But although these (regulars?) seemed to be enjoying their night, I just couldn’t get into the swing of things. Perhaps it was the lukewarm ambiance. Or maybe the fact that I didn’t like my drink. I got “The Smash Ball,” a Jameson cocktail with lemon juice, mint, and simple syrup. It tasted abrasive, like that harsh taste you get from bottled lemon juice. My friends’ cocktails tasted fine, but I ended up chugging mine. But another complaint I have is that all three cocktails looked the same, despite being three different drinks. I suppose since I came into this bar expecting a “video game theme,” I was expecting the cocktails to also be a little bit more dressed up? I did not feel that there was anything particularly “Smash Ball” - esque about my drink. I was expecting a little more from this experience and left disappointed.
Had so much fun!! Went for a birthday 🎂 and birthday girl had a blast so definitely cool atmosphere with a dj and good music 🎶 was hot inside though definitely could use more ventilation in that place but other than that Pizza was delicious had the El Pastor pizza was tasty. Retro games were fun!! Will return for sure!!

Where retro gaming meets modern nightlife – your ultimate arcade bar experience in Santa Ana!
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Mission Control Bar Arcade is Santa Ana's premier destination for adults seeking a unique blend of classic arcade fun and vibrant nightlife. Located in the heart of downtown, we feature an extensive collection of retro video games, pinball machines, and stand-up cabinets alongside a full bar serving creative cocktails, beer, and wine. With a DJ, dance floor, and event-friendly space, we're perfect for birthdays, group outings, or a nostalgic night out. Our atmosphere adapts from mid-week chill to weekend party vibes, offering something for everyone. Come play, drink, and dance at Mission Control!
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