Headquarters Beercade Takes Over Uncle Fatty's, Adds Pinball Arcade

Popular arcade-themed bar Headquarters Beercade will soon take over its neighboring bar Uncle Fatty’s Rum Resort to open the largest pinball arcade in the Midwest, owners announced.

Headquarters opened its 22,000-square-foot location at 950 W. Wolfram St. in October and initially faced issues with neighbors, but boomed in popularity in Chicago. Now Capacity Bar Group partners Brian Galati, Mark Kwiatkowski and Chireal Jordan say they’re joining forces on this new venture.

“We wanted to expand upon the success of Headquarters Beercade and offer another unique outlet for nightlife and entertainment in Chicago,” Jordan said. “The pinball space will represent our second project together as Capacity Bar Group and serve as the predecessor to two more venues opening later this year.”

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Uncle Fatty’s will close its doors permanently on May 4, the trio says, with plans to build a new 7,000-square-foot expansion to house their new pinball arcade. The new addition will still have an entrance at 2833 N. Sheffield Ave., the original entrance for Uncle Fatty’s.

The quick turn-around will have the new space up and running at the end of May, featuring 20-25 new pinball games by Melrose Park-based Stern Pinball, Inc.

Originally planned as a spring break pop-up in 2008, the tiki-themed bar Uncle Fatty’s will close after five years of business in Lake View.

Headquarters currently houses 37 vintage arcade games and is open Monday through Friday from 5 p.m.–2 a.m., Saturday from 11 a.m.–3 a.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m.–2 a.m. 

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