Get ready to dine with Pac-Man and the Mario Bros in downtown Campbell.

After sitting vacant for a decade, the Growers National Bank building will soon house a restaurant called LVL Up. The unique dining experience will feature table seating for 72 patrons, a bar with 18 arcade games and three pinball machines. Classic arcade games of the 1980s will be featured heavily.

On Oct. 11, the city’s planning commission unanimously granted a round of approvals to applicants for the restaurant. The building at 400 E. Campbell Ave. housed the Gaslighter performance theater from 1970 to 2005.

LVL Up will serve full meals and have a full alcohol service menu. Restaurant management told the commission it could open by the end of the year.

Despite the planning commission’s unanimous decision, there was concern the restaurant could become a bar with games rather than primarily a restaurant. Comparisons were made to AFK Gamer Lounge in downtown San Jose.

Campbell city staff worked with restaurant officials to make sure it doesn’t become a gaming lounge or bar. Management agreed to reduce the number of seats at the bar from 14 to 10 and to revise the menu from having just finger foods to full meals. In addition, video games on computers or consoles are prohibited.

Some on the commission were pleased to see the emphasis would be on food rather than booze.

“It seems like the restaurant is the primary with the bar and games being the ancillary items,” said Commissioner Donald Young during the meeting.

The restaurant will also have restrictions regarding minors entering after 10 p.m. According to the staff report, anyone under the age of 18 not accompanied by an adult cannot enter the restaurant or play arcade games after 10 p.m.

“I can see it being a family-friendly place,” said Commissioner Michael Rich.

Larry Schaadt, owner of the building, was granted permission by the city last year to split the building into two stories. The bottom was designated for a restaurant while the top is available for office space.

“I appreciate the owner’s tenacity to not give up on the building,” said Commission Chair Cynthia Dodd.

According to Schaadt, the building is under construction in preparation for LVL Up’s opening.

“I’m really excited it’s almost built out,” Schaadt told the commission. “I think it will add a lot of fun.”

The city will also have some say on where the arcade machines go inside the restaurant. Restaurant management will have flexibility to swap out new arcade games each month and rearrange arcade games so display lights are not intruding in a diner’s eating space. However, the city’s community development director will have discretion as to how games are arranged for emergency exit and ADA compliance reasons.