If you’ve spent any time on Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park, you know the vibe is constantly shifting. One year a storefront is a divey laundromat, the next it’s a boutique selling thirty-dollar candles that smell like "dust." But Button Mash Echo Park has always been a bit of an outlier. It’s a bar. It’s an arcade. It’s a restaurant that actually gives a damn about its menu. Honestly, most "barcades" feel like an afterthought—sticky floors, broken joysticks, and frozen pizza that tastes like cardboard. Button Mash is different. It’s basically the neighborhood’s living room, provided your living room is filled with vintage Donkey Kong cabinets and really good tofu skin salad.
The place has lived several lives. It first opened its doors in 2015, born from a partnership between Jordan Weiss and the folks behind Starry Kitchen. That’s a huge part of why the food didn’t suck. They weren't just throwing some fries in a basket; they were serving double-fried chicken wings and ginger-poached pears. Then, like everything else, it hit a wall during the pandemic. For a minute there, we all thought the pinball machines had gone dark for good. But then Tsubaki and Ototo—the heavy hitters of Echo Park’s Japanese dining scene—stepped in to help reboot the kitchen, and it evolved again.
The Reality of Gaming at Button Mash Echo Park
Let’s talk about the games. Most people go for the nostalgia. You’ve got the classics: Pac-Man, Galaga, and Tron. But the real nerds—the people who actually care about frame data—are usually huddled around the fighting games or the pinball row. The pinball selection at Button Mash Echo Park isn't just a random collection of dust-collectors. They rotate them. You might see a pristine Medieval Madness or the newer Godzilla machine from Stern.
It’s loud. It’s chaotic. If you’re looking for a quiet place to have a first date and discuss your five-year plan, this isn't it. But if you want to see if your date can handle losing at Street Fighter II while sipping a local craft beer, it’s perfect. The tokens aren't expensive, but they go fast. You think you’ll just play one round. Two hours later, your thumb is sore and you’ve spent twenty bucks. That's just the tax for being in Echo Park.
Why the Food Pivot Mattered
When the Starry Kitchen era ended, there was a collective gasp from the regulars. The "Crispy Tofu Balls" were legendary. However, the current iteration of the menu, influenced by the culinary expertise of Charles Namba and Courtney Kaplan, has brought a more refined, Izakaya-adjacent feel to the space. You can get a smash burger, sure, but you can also get Dan Dan Noodles or a Wedge Salad with white miso dressing.
It’s a weird tension. On one hand, you’re trying to beat your high score on The Simpsons arcade game. On the other, you’re eating food that belongs in a high-end bistro. It works because it doesn't take itself too seriously. The staff is usually pretty chill, though they’ve seen it all—from the hipster dads bringing their toddlers in at 5:00 PM to the late-night crowd that’s had one too many IPAs.
Navigating the Crowd and the Chaos
Parking is a nightmare. Let’s just be real about that. If you try to park on Sunset, you’re going to have a bad time. Most regulars know to hunt for spots in the residential hills behind the building, but even then, you’re walking up a 45-degree incline. Just Uber. Or take the bus. The 2 line drops you right there.
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The crowd is a total mixed bag. You have the local Echo Park residents who have been there since before the gentrification wave really peaked. You have the "Eastside" transplants. And then you have the hardcore gamers who travel from the Valley because Button Mash maintains their machines better than anyone else.
- Pro Tip: Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday. The weekends are a zoo. You’ll be fighting for space at the bar, let alone a spot on the X-Men cabinet.
- The Vibe: Dark, neon-lit, and constantly smelling like garlic and fried chicken.
- The Drinks: They have a solid rotating tap list. Look for the local breweries like Highland Park Brewery or Mumford.
The lighting is low, the music is usually some curated playlist of 80s synth or indie rock, and the clack-clack-clack of the pinball flippers creates a percussive soundtrack that you eventually just tune out. It’s one of the few places in LA that feels genuinely "lived-in." It’s not a polished, corporate concept like Dave & Buster's. It feels like someone’s basement project that got way out of hand and became a neighborhood staple.
The Impact on the Neighborhood
Echo Park has changed a lot. The Lake got a fence, then it didn't, then it did again. Gentrification has pushed out a lot of the soul of the area. But Button Mash Echo Park managed to bridge the gap. It didn't replace a beloved local haunt; it took over a space that had been vacant and turned it into a community hub. By partnering with other local business owners like the Tsubaki team, they’ve kept the money in the neighborhood.
There’s a certain loyalty here. People were genuinely stressed when it closed during the lockdowns. When the "Open" sign flickered back on, it felt like a small victory for the Eastside. It’s a reminder that even in a city as fast-moving as Los Angeles, some things are worth keeping around.
What to Expect When You Step Inside
The first thing you’ll notice is the sound. It’s a wall of 8-bit noise. Then the smell of the kitchen hits you. You walk to the back to get your tokens from the machine—yes, they still use physical tokens, which feels right—and then you start the lap. You have to do the lap. You walk past the bar, check out what everyone is eating, peek at the pinball scores, and see which machines are open.
If Killer Queen is running, grab some friends. It’s one of the few 10-player arcade games in existence, and it’s basically the ultimate social experience. You’ll find yourself screaming at strangers and high-fiving people you’ve never met. That’s the magic of this place. It breaks down the "cool" Los Angeles barrier. You can't really act like you're too cool for school when you're aggressively trying to jump on a digital snail.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
- Check the hours before you go. They aren't open 24/7, and they often have private events or specific kitchen hours.
- Order the wings. Just do it. Don't think about the calories or the mess. They are consistently some of the best in the city.
- Bring a little cash. While they have token machines that take cards, sometimes the machines are finicky. Having a few fives or tens makes life easier.
- Explore the menu beyond the "bar food." The seasonal specials are usually where the kitchen shines. If there’s a crudo or a weird vegetable dish, get it.
- Respect the machines. These are vintage pieces of equipment. Don't slam the flippers or spill your beer on the glass. The "Game Over" screen is much sadder when it's permanent.
Button Mash Echo Park isn't just a place to play games. It’s a testament to the idea that you can do two things at once and do them both well. You can have a high-quality meal and play Galaga. You can have a craft cocktail and watch a high-stakes pinball tournament. It’s a weird, wonderful slice of Los Angeles history that continues to evolve. Whether you're a local or just passing through, it’s the kind of spot that reminds you why you live in a city like this in the first place.
Stay for the high scores, but come back for the food. And seriously, watch out for the parking tickets—the meter maids in Echo Park do not play around.
Actionable Insights for the Best Experience:
- Avoid Peak Times: If you want a specific machine, arrive right when they open (usually 5:00 PM).
- Dining Strategy: Put your name in for a table first, then play games while you wait. They’ll text you when it’s ready.
- Token Management: Don't overbuy. You can't turn them back into cash. Save your leftovers for the next visit; they never expire.
- Public Transit: Use the Metro 2 or 4 buses to avoid the parking nightmare on Sunset Blvd.
This spot remains a cornerstone of the Eastside for a reason. It’s authentic, it’s loud, and it’s exactly what Echo Park needs to be. Forget the flashy rooftop bars downtown. Get a token, find a machine, and try to beat the high score. It’s much more satisfying.