Chuck E. Cheese for adults launches in KC: Retro games, alcohol, more
Chuck E. Cheese is fully aware it’s a nostalgic place for adults.
While parent company CEC Entertainment still operates children’s play locations across the United States, its perhaps even more dedicated fan base is animatronic-loving ‘80s and ‘90s babies (give or take some years).
Now the business is fully leaning into its legacy by opening Kansas City’s first Chuck’s Arcade: a retro version of Chuck E. Cheese that welcomes all ages but caters to adults.
The former Chuck E. Cheese at 8809 State Line Road stayed open and slowly underwent the transition into Chuck’s Arcade a month ago, employees told The Star.
The kiddie rides were removed, and vintage posters and memorabilia were hung up on the walls. Televisions around the arcade play glitchy films of decades-ago birthday parties.
Old arcade games like Defender, Donkey Kong, Mortal Kombat and Tron were rolled in.
Then, a truck arrived with a special delivery: a vintage Chuck E. Cheese animatronic. Made some time between the early 80s to mid-90s, the bot lives in a glass case at the front of the store.
Chuck E. stares ahead, motionless, with one paw raised in greeting.
“The decision to transition from Chuck E. Cheese to Chuck’s Arcade at our Ward Parkway location reflects our commitment to evolving how we deliver fun, immersive experiences,” CEC Entertainment said in a written statement to The Star.
“... And with the strong brand love we continue to feel in Kansas City, this location was the perfect place to debut something bold, fresh, and exciting.”
Part of that “bold” switchup is a new menu, which includes fewer pizza toppings, wings that range from mild to spicy, seltzers and a few beers on tap.
KC joins wave of adult Chuck E. Cheese spinoffs
While Chuck’s Arcade underwent testing phases last year, it officially rolled out in March. The spinoff has nine other locations across the country, including in St. Petersburg, Florida; El Paso, Texas; Oklahoma City; and Salem, New Hampshire.
CEC Entertainment said it chose Kansas City as a site for its new concept because of its “strong response” in the past to Chuck E. Cheese. (Kansas City was, after all, the birthplace of Chuck E. Cheese copycat ShowBiz Pizza in 1980.)
The company says there are currently no plans to convert the other Kansas City area spots into Chuck’s Arcade.
Chuck E. Cheese is still at 9196 N. Skyview Ave., 10510 Metcalf Lane in Overland Park, 15225 W. 134th Place in Olathe and 18701 East 39th St. S. in Independence.
While Chuck’s Arcade is geared toward an older crowd, children are still welcome to play and win prizes.
“There’s no age restriction,” CEC Entertainment said.
Its hours have stayed the same, too: every day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (So it’s not the kind of venue for wild partying.)
Shifts in Chuck E. Cheese’s business strategy
The choice to bring robot Chuck E. to Kansas City is notable considering the company’s stance last year, when it said it would phase out its animatronic bands at all but five locations across the country.
This edict included the removal of a speechless, slow-moving rat at the Independence location. At the time, it was the only remaining Chuck E. in the area.
The robot was a newer model, too, created by Garner Holt in the late ‘90s. The company told The Star at the time that it would, like all the other animatronics, be taken to a warehouse and disassembled.
The initial decision to nix the bots came just weeks after the release of horror movie “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” starring Josh Hutcherson. The company denied in a New York Times article that the film had anything to do with it.
Other changes included more screens and special effects.
“We believe the (new) show provides the best entertainment value and meets the demands of kids today, who have higher expectations of realism and special effects,” CEC Entertainment told The Star last year.
While Chuck E. Cheese isn’t the same brand it was in years past, perhaps its recent efforts have done it some good.
The brand filed for bankruptcy in 2020 but emerged a few months later. CEO David McKillips attributes part of the company’s success to the addition of entertainment items like trampolines and rock walls, according to CNBC.
CEC Entertainment also owns pizza concepts Peter Piper Pizza and Pasqually’s Pizza & Wings.
Peter Piper closed its last area location at 8809 State Line Road last year after just a year at the spot.
That site became Chuck E. Cheese months later, which then became Kansas City’s first Chuck’s Arcade.
This story was originally published July 24, 2025 at 5:00 AM.