MSP’s Portal Lounge Has Its Own Robot Bartender, Video Games

Airport lounges can seem crowded and boring these days. But the Portal Lounge at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is trying to change that.

It’s fun and futuristic (and available with Priority Pass), with a section dedicated to video games and a robot bartender serving drinks. If that concept sounds somewhat familiar, that’s because it is.

The Portal Lounge — which opened its doors in May 2026 — is the latest creation from the people behind the popular Gameway video game lounges in major airports. Key Difference: Portal Lounge is a full service lounge with food and beverage.

I was invited to check out the Portal Lounge a few weeks after its grand opening, giving me a chance to see the space in action. Here’s what it looks like — and why travelers to Minneapolis should stop by.

The Portal Lounge is bright and bold, making it different from most other airport lounges. It’s also extremely hard to miss with its prime location in Terminal 1 to the right of the North TSA checkpoint.

Upon entering, it even feels like you’ve been transported into a video game.

When you enter the lounge, you will receive a QR code that can be used to order drinks at the kiosk and to re-enter the lounge (the nearest toilets are a few minutes’ walk from the lounge).

At 3,800 square feet, the lounge has a capacity for 114 guests. The seating arrangement is spacious, which helps fight the crowds.

Even the music playing in the background was fun and upbeat, not the typical light jazz lounge tunes.

All these elements are designed, the salon representative told me. With Portal Lounge, the company wanted to create a space that is accessible, sociable and accessible to everyone. This sets it apart from the exclusive salons operated by major credit card issuers.

I wasn’t fully convinced until I left the lounge and visited the nearby Escape Lounge at the airport. It was nice, but ended up feeling bland and uninspired compared to the Portal Lounge.

While the main seating area is brightly lit, the gaming lounge has a completely different atmosphere with its blue ambient lighting and 17 gaming stations.

Guests have a selection of games for Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation and gaming PCs.

During my visit, there were a few people hanging out in this area, but it was never crowded. I sat down for a round of Mario Kart, and even though I was pretty bad at it, it was certainly a fun way to pass the time.

If filled, the salon confirms that it applies a one-hour play limit. However, you can rejoin the waiting list later.

Even if you’re not a fan of video games, that doesn’t mean you should skip the Portal Lounge. Although the gaming area is a big attraction, there were many people who visited and never set foot in the area.

If you’ve been to a Gameway video lounge, you’ll know that the missing ingredient is a strong food and beverage program. With Portal Lounge, that changes.

Guests can order drinks from the kiosk, along with a wide selection of cocktails and mocktails. While there are plenty of free options, you can also pay for more premium drinks.

One of the highlights of the lounge is the robot bartender. But there are also human bartenders, and they did most of the ordering during my visit. Although the robot was a fun and entertaining addition to the living room, it seemed a bit of a joke because it wasn’t used very often.

As for food, the lounge buffet offers a seasonal menu. During my visit I tried the pulled pork and the build-your-own chicken bowl, both of which were very tasty.

There was also buffalo cauliflower, salad dressing, desserts, coffee machines and a machine for soft drinks.

If you want to eat something else, the Portal Lounge allows you to bring in outside food – something most lounges prohibit.

That’s a key difference from the company’s signature Gameway lounges, which are technically considered non-lounge airport experiences. Not all Priority Pass memberships allow credit card access to these areas.

You can also pay to enter at the door, but it will cost about $70 per person. Unlike Priority Pass — which allows you to enter up to three hours before your flight — there is no time limit on entry for those paying at the airport.

If you have a few hours to kill in MSP, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Portal Lounge. It’s available via Priority Pass, which means you don’t have to fly on a specific airline to get in. However, if you don’t have access to Priority Pass, $70 is a hefty fee. It makes sense if you can spend a few hours at the salon, but if you only have an hour or less, you may want to wander around the nearby shops.

Once inside, there are plenty of things to keep you occupied, whether you want to grab a bite to eat or play video games. Plus, the atmosphere is fun and social, making it a great place to relax before heading out the door.

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