New bar-arcade proposed for downtown Aurora would include bocce ball, arcade games and more

Chicago Tribune

10-02-2025

A newly-proposed arcade and activity bar, which would be located in downtown Aurora in the space above Society 57, is looking to 'redefine what social entertainment is.'
That's according to Erik Gilly, who proposed the concept to the Aurora City Council's Committee of the Whole last week. Unlike a typical bar, Rec Haus would include a variety of games and activities ranging from bocce ball and shuffleboard tables to pinball and arcade games, though it would still offer an 'impressive selection' of local beer on tap along with wine and signature cocktails, he said.
'We really want to inspire people to come downtown and to get them used to treating downtown Aurora as a place you can do more than just get dinner or just see a show at the Paramount,' Gilly said. 'We want to have Rec Haus be another great addition to somebody's night out.'
The arcade bar is proposed for the second floor of 100 S. River St., which was originally planned to be occupied by Society 57, the coffee shop and event space on the building's first floor. However, Society 57 never expanded into the second floor, and Gilly has now signed a lease to put Rec Haus in that space if approved by the Aurora City Council.
According to Gilly's presentation at Feb. 4's Committee of the Whole meeting, Rec Haus would feature seven game lanes of bocce ball, putter-pong and bags; a number of table games like shuffleboard, pool and foosball; darts; Skee-Ball and basketball; pinball and arcade games, but not the kind played for redeemable tickets.
The arcade bar would also feature games that people probably haven't heard of, like Terraball, which is a blend between pool, shuffleboard and miniature golf, Gilly said.
Gilly worked for 14 years in the coin-operated amusement industry, including six years at arcade-game company Bandai Namco, he said. His most recent job with a pinball manufacturer took him around the country to work with bars, bar arcades and other businesses with a similar concept to Rec Haus, and he saw those businesses working and thriving within their communities, he said.
A floor plan included with Gilly's presentation showed a 32-seat central bar with circular tables built into the two corners and other separate tables scattered around. Rec Haus would also feature a self-serve tap wall, similar to Tapville in the Fox Valley Mall, Gilly said.
Those renting out one of the seven game lanes could expect bartenders to bring them drinks and food, he said.
Rec Haus is not looking to compete with restaurants in downtown and is instead looking to support them by getting more people on downtown streets, particularly during weeknights, in part by hosting leagues for many of its activities and events like bingo, trivia and karaoke, according to Gilly.
The bar is not proposed to have a kitchen and would instead serve packaged food like pretzels and jerky. While guests could make those things a meal, they would also be encouraged to visit downtown restaurants before or after they come to Rec Haus, Gilly said.
Plus, QR codes would be featured on each of the bar's tables to allow guests to order food from nearby restaurants like New China Hut and Taqueria El Tio, according to Gilly's presentation. Guests would be allowed to bring their own food or get food delivered to the bar, according to a staff report about Rec Haus included with the Feb. 4 Committee of the Whole meeting agenda.
Rec Haus would be open Tuesday to Thursday from 3 p.m. to midnight, Friday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to midnight. Although the bar would likely be closed on Monday to start, Gilly said he'd consider opening that day too if the demand was high enough.
Similar to how many breweries work, children would be welcome in Rec Haus before 9 p.m., Gilly said. After that, only those 21 or older would be allowed in.
If the Aurora City Council approves at its meeting on Tuesday items related to Rec Haus, then the arcade bar would look to open June 1, according to Gilly. He said construction would likely take around 12 weeks.
Two items related to Rec Haus will be on Tuesday's Aurora City Council agenda: one that adjusts the River Street Plaza Plan Description for 100 S. River St. to allow for arcade uses, and another would increase the number of downtown fridge on-site consumption liquor licenses to allow the Liquor Commission to issue a license to Rec Haus.
The Committee of the Whole placed both items on the Aurora City Council's consent agenda, which is typically used for routine or non-controversial items that are all approved with one vote and without discussion instead of needing to vote on and talk about each individual item.