Cocktail Table Retro games machine

Cocktail Table Arcade Machine Hire - Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders and More

The cocktail table arcade machine - sometimes called a cocktail cabinet, sit-down arcade or tabletop arcade - is the flat-top format where the screen is set face-up into the table surface behind glass. Two players stand on opposite sides and look down at the screen to play, rather than facing a screen on a wall. The cabinet is branded "Arcade Classics" and has artwork from the original games across the body: Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, Galaxian and others. The screen runs in portrait orientation, matching the original arcade display for most of the titles on it.

The game library covers the main titles from the late 1970s and early 1980s: Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, Galaga, Galaxian, Dig Dug, Zaxxon, Arkanoid, Gyruss, Pengo, Super Breakout, Amidar, Crush Roller, Tank Battalion, Pinball Action, Bombjack and more. The joystick and button controls are on opposite sides of the table so both players have their own set, and two people can play head to head on any of the two-player titles.

What you're hiring

• 1 or 2 players, facing each other across the table
• Classic 80s games including Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, Galaga, Dig Dug, Zaxxon, Arkanoid and more
• Flat-top cocktail cabinet format: screen faces up behind glass, joystick and button controls on opposite sides
• 65cm wide, 95cm deep, 75cm tall
• One standard 13-amp socket required
• Indoor or marquee use only
• PAT-tested annually, like all our electrical kit

Where it tends to go

The sit-down format works well at events where people are already gathered around tables or standing in small groups - drinks receptions, wedding evening entertainment during the gap between the meal and the dancing, corporate Christmas parties and indoor events where there isn't room for anything larger. The footprint is small enough to sit among other furniture without needing a cleared area, and the face-to-face layout across the table tends to get people playing against each other rather than queuing to watch.

It also goes to birthday parties for adults who grew up with these games, corporate events and exhibitions where a lower-profile interactive piece suits the space, and school and community events where you want something that works for a wide age range.

Space and setup

The footprint is 65cm x 95cm, which fits into most function rooms without difficulty. Players stand on opposite sides; the controls sit at a comfortable height for standing play. We bring the machine in, plug it in and check it's running before we leave.

It's indoor or marquee only. The glass surface reflects badly in direct sunlight and the screen washes out, so we don't set this up on open outdoor pitches.

Hampshire, Surrey and round our way

We've run event hire from a commercial unit in Havant, PO9, since 2002, and everything we send out is ours rather than sub-hired. The person who sets up on the day is one of our own staff - RPII-trained, first-aid trained and enhanced-DBS registered - not an agency casual. We cover Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex and a fair stretch of London on our own vehicles, and delivery, setup and collection are part of the quote rather than added on separately. We're VAT-registered and carry £10 million public liability insurance, with the certificate available on request.

Christmas party and corporate bookings fill up from early autumn, so it's worth sending us the date and venue as early as you can.

Have a look at the 80s retro arcade games or the Atari Pong table, or browse the full electronic games range if you're putting a bigger package together.