Ground Kontrol

{{Infobox restaurant

| name = Ground Kontrol

| image =Ground_Kontrol.jpg

| image_caption = Ground Kontrol interior, pre-remodel

| pushpin_map = Portland downtown

| established = 1999

| street-address = 115 NW 5th Ave

| city = Portland, Oregon

| county = Multnomah

| state = OR

| zip = 97209

| coordinates = {{coord|45.523804|-122.675872|type:landmark|display=inline}}

| website = [http://www.groundkontrol.com/ Ground Kontrol website]

}}

Ground Kontrol is a video game/pinball and bar in Portland, Oregon, in the United States. It is known for preserving games from the Golden Age of Video Arcade Games.{{cite news |title= Insert Coins Here: The Best Video Game Spots In The U.S.|publisher= Complex Magazine |date= August–September 2005}} It also serves as a venue for DJs and live music.{{cite news |url= http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2008/07/is_it_real_or_is_it_rock_band.html |title= Is it real ... or is it 'Rock Band'? Who cares?|last= Machado|first= Jessica |newspaper= The Oregonian |date= July 30, 2008|access-date= March 13, 2009}}

History

File:Ground Kontrol, Portland (8038241734).jpg

Since opening in 1999,{{cite news |url= http://portland.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2000/03/13/smallb1.html |title= Captivated by retro games |last= Geigerich |first= Andy |newspaper= Portland Business Journal |date= March 10, 2000 |access-date= April 11, 2009}} Ground Kontrol has undergone several changes. The arcade was originally created and opened by Betty Farrier, and Kneel Cohn of the bands Warshow Angels{{Cite web|url=http://www.warshowangels.com/about.html|title=Warshow Angels | About the Warshow Angels, Band Bio}} and The Dead Stars on Hollywood.{{cite news |url= https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20001211/4055620/through-different-eyes |title= Through different eyes |last= Kryza |first= Ap |newspaper= The Seattle Times |date= December 11, 2000 |access-date= October 20, 2008}} In March 2003, it came under the new ownership of Timewarp Incorporated. In September 2004, Ground Kontrol moved to a new location{{cite news|url= http://www.wweek.com/editorial/3346/9596/|title= Game On|last= Machado|first= Jessica|newspaper= Willamette Week|date= September 26, 2007|access-date= March 13, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080724185258/http://wweek.com/editorial/3346/9596/|archive-date= July 24, 2008|url-status= dead}}

In December 2010, Ground Kontrol moved to a temporary location to accommodate a remodel. During renovation, a kitchen and new seating were added, the restrooms were moved, and the decor took on a Tron-esque vibe.{{cite web|last=Vorenburg|first=Sue|title=Ground Kontrol to reboot after $200,000 face-lift|date=17 February 2011|url=http://djcoregon.com/news/2011/02/17/ground-kontrol-to-reboot-after-200000-face-lift/|publisher=Daily Journal of Commerce|access-date=2011-03-30}} On December 11, 2011, Ground Kontrol announced that it was now a full-service bar.{{cite web |url= http://groundkontrol.com/bar/index.php |title=Ground Kontrol blog |date= December 11, 2011|access-date= December 13, 2011}}

In April 2017, Ground Kontrol expanded into the former location of Backspace, renovating it to include a new bar area, several video screens and a connecting hallway. The newer expanded area was built with a WarGames-esque vibe. A further renovation of the entrance on NW Couch St. was completed in June 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://groundkontrol.com/expansion-complete/|title=Expansion Complete!|last=Snow|first=Dylan|date=2018-06-05|website=Ground Kontrol|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-02}}

Events

In June 2004, a world record high score competition was held jointly at Ground Kontrol; Aftershock RetroGames Arcade in Madison, Wisconsin; and the Houston Area Arcade Group Expo in Houston, Texas. Twin Galaxies maintained the results of the competitions for world record consideration.{{cite news |url= http://spyhunter007.com/dodge_city_video_game_showdown.htm|title= Classic Video Gaming Championships Across America|publisher= spyhunter007.com |date= March 30, 2006 |access-date= March 13, 2009}}{{cite news |url= http://www.classicarcadegaming.com/media/GKHighScores.htm|title= Ground Kontrol: news coverage / interview on Fox 12|publisher= KPTV, a Meridith Corporation Station |date= June 4, 2006 |access-date= March 13, 2009}}
Portland Pinbrawl, an annual pinball tournament, is held at Ground Kontrol.{{cite web|url=http://www.crazyflipperfingers.com/portland-pinbrawl-2011/|title=Portland Pinbrawl 2011|publisher=Crazy Flipper Fingers|access-date=2011-03-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402060922/http://www.crazyflipperfingers.com/portland-pinbrawl-2011/|archive-date=2011-04-02|url-status=dead}}
In 2010, Ground Kontrol was the winner of three arcades competing in Stride gum's "Save the Arcades 2" contest. The owners used the $25,000 prize to assist in funding a full remodeling of the arcade and to buy more games.{{cite web | url = http://savethearcades.stridegum.com/ | title = Save the Arcade's 2 | date = 2010-04-21 | access-date = 2010-04-24 | publisher = Stride (gum) | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100428084231/http://savethearcades.stridegum.com/ | archive-date = 2010-04-28 | url-status = dead }}

Recognition

In July, 2010, Sunset Magazine included Ground Kontrol in the "Best of Portland: Hotels, Dining, and Attractions 2010" publication calling it the "Old Hot Spot" in Portland's Chinatown.{{cite news |url= http://travelupdate.sunset.com/free-travel-guides/best-of-portland-hotels-dining-and-attractions-2010/|title= Best of Portland: Hotels, Dining, and Attractions 2010 |publisher= Sunset Magazine |date= July 2010 |access-date= July 27, 2010}} The San Francisco Chronicle listed Ground Kontrol as one of "Five places to revisit the '80s".{{cite news|last=Kelley|first=Jennifer|title=Five places to revisit the '80s|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/13/TRT51I2D6K.DTL|access-date=2011-03-30|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|date=2011-03-13}} Ground Control won in the "Best Game Bar" category of Willamette Week{{'s}} "Best of Portland Readers' Poll 2020".{{cite news |title=Bars + Nightlife: Congratulations to the winners + finalists of Best of Portland Readers' Poll 2020 |url=https://www.wweek.com/promotions/2020/07/21/bars-nightlife/ |access-date=September 4, 2020 |work=Willamette Week |date=July 21, 2020}}