Arcades are wonderful places for both kids & adults alike to have fun & feel like...well a kid. Dave & Busters, Rubik's, Adventure Zone are all great places in El Paso where you can have fun playing video games or getting a bit to eat. There's a new local arcade for El Pasoans; Monkey Rock.

Daniel Paulus
Daniel Paulus
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Where is Monkey Rock?

Inside the Sunland Park Mall, at the place where Sears used to be (right above the Greenery on the op level); the new spot is called Monkey Rock, the locally owned arcade/entertainment center that's been open since October 2022. Depending on which entrance you go to, the one from inside, you're either greeted with this giant monkey head statue.

Daniel Paulus
Daniel Paulus
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Or if you arrive on the side of the parking lot, you're greeted with a seating area with tables & a bowling alley. (Which honestly gave me some Bowl El Paso/Oasis Lanes vibes).

Although I'm surprised the bowling pins look like regular pins (they should look like giant bananas to embrace the monkey theme).

Daniel Paulus
Daniel Paulus
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And across from that is a bar. Just make sure to keep the kids away from there, that's not for them.

Daniel Paulus
Daniel Paulus
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Is there anything else at Monkey Rock?

Aside from the arcade cabinets, you have a giant play area for the kids & a rock climbing tower. Personally, I'm not brave enough to try it, but if you are, it is there for anyone who wants to climb it.

Daniel Paulus
Daniel Paulus
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Daniel Paulus
Daniel Paulus
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There's also a VR area for a first person shooter experience,

Daniel Paulus
Daniel Paulus
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and even a mini golf area. However it was a little hard to find in the dark; it was kept away in the corner so unless you really looked around, you probably will miss it on the first walk around the place.

Daniel Paulus
Daniel Paulus
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How about the arcade?

Admittedly there aren't as many arcade games at places like Rubik's or Dave & Busters. You can definitely see a LOT of games there. For example here's Rubiks.

Rubik's East El Paso
Daniel Paulus
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Daniel Paulus
Daniel Paulus
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Daniel Paulus
Daniel Paulus
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Rubik's East El Paso
Daniel Paulus
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But there's definitely games at Monkey Rock too,

Daniel Paulus
Daniel Paulus
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Daniel Paulus
Daniel Paulus
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I will say, I appreciate the monkey vibes on the rock posters (shame there's no Rush posters though).

Daniel Paulus
Daniel Paulus
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Daniel Paulus
Daniel Paulus
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Daniel Paulus
Daniel Paulus
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What I would like to see more at Monkey Rock

If I could offer some additions for Monkey Rock;

  • I think they should really embrace the monkey theme by putting more monkey murals across the walls (there was spots that were empty),
  • Make the bowling pins look like giant bananas,
  • Make the mini golf area a little easier to find (and bigger. Some people online say it's fun but there should be more holes to play through)
  • & add more games (good selection but I think they can increase the number of cabinets a bit).
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