Ground Kontrol Is Reopening Next Week After Being Closed for More Than a Year

The Old Town arcade is finally ready to fire up the machines again.

Ground Kontrol IMAGE: Duncan Rawlinson. (Duncan Rawlinson)
By Matthew Singer

Ground Kontrol is pressing start on reopening.

One of Portland’s most iconic businesses, the vintage arcade shut down during Oregon’s initial pandemic-related economic freeze last March and remained closed as the city has moved up and down risk levels.

But the Old Town arcade is finally ready to fire up the machines again.

On June 16, Ground Kontrol will start accepting quarters again. It’s not quite returning to full operation—only one half of the gaming floor will be accessible, with limited capacity and games spaced out to allow for social distancing.

More specifics are coming this week.

Ground Kontrol opened in 1999 and moved to 115 NW 5th Ave. in 2004. The arcade expanded into the site of the former all-ages rock club Backspace in 2017.

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Matthew Singer

Matthew Singer

A native Southern Californian, former Arts & Culture Editor Matthew Singer ruined Portland by coming here in 2008. He is an advocate for the canonization of the Fishbone and Oingo Boingo discographies, believes pro-wrestling is a serious art form and roots for the Lakers. Fortunately, he left Portland for Tucson, Arizona, in 2021.

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