About Barcade
Barcade offers a vibrant, nostalgic adult-oriented arcade experience, featuring a wide selection of well-maintained classic arcade and pinball machines alongside an extensive craft beer and cocktail menu. It's primarily geared towards a date night or social gathering for adults who enjoy retro gaming.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Adult date nights or evenings out with friends who enjoy retro arcade games.Gaming enthusiasts looking for a wide selection of well-maintained classic and pinball machines.Individuals seeking a fun, laid-back social atmosphere with good drinks and entertainment.Not suitable for young children (under 13) due to the bar-centric atmosphere, alcohol sales, and implied adult focus.Potentially suitable for older teenagers (16+) who appreciate retro games and do not mind the bar environment, depending on the venue's specific age restrictions (not mentioned in reviews but common for 'barcades').
Why families love it
- Wide selection of well-maintained classic arcade games like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and 3rd Strike.
- Excellent, fun, and well-maintained selection of pinball machines, including new ones.
- Staff (barkeeps) are super friendly, quick, and knowledgeable about drinks.
- Vibrant, warm, welcoming, and nostalgic atmosphere, described as 'dark enough' to feel like a classic arcade.
- Reasonable prices for the quality and location, providing good value for an adult night out.
- No pressure to buy drinks, allowing guests to focus on gaming if they prefer.
Insider tips
- Parents should assume this is an adult-oriented venue and check specific age restrictions if considering bringing older teens.
- Do not bring outside water; be prepared to purchase beverages on-site.
- Expect a 'packed' but friendly crowd, especially during peak times.
- Be prepared to use tokens for games (available for purchase on-site).
Good to know before you go
- Bringing young children or planning a family outing where kids are the primary focus.
- If you require outside water for specific needs (e.g., medical reasons) without prior arrangement.
- If you are uncomfortable with an environment where alcohol is a prominent feature.
- Strict policy of no outside water allowed, which could be an issue for parents or those needing specific hydration.
- Atmosphere is described as 'dark enough' and heavily features alcohol (craft beers, cocktails), suggesting it's not designed for young children.
- Crowds
- Can get 'packed' but also described as having a 'friendly crowd' and 'just the right size' at times.
- Value
- Described as 'really reasonable' for the quality of games, drinks, and location. Games operate via tokens, but no specific game or drink prices are mentioned. Value appears high for an adult entertainment venue in NYC.
- Food
- Strictly no outside water allowed. No information on outside food, but given the water policy and bar focus, it's highly unlikely outside food is permitted. Food availability is not a prominent feature, with one reviewer noting they 'didn't get anything to eat'.
- Accessibility
- No specific accessibility accommodations mentioned in reviews.
- Safety
- No specific safety features related to children or general security are mentioned in the reviews.
What parents say
"Barcade on St. Marks Place is hands down one of my favorite spots in NYC, especially for a fun date night. As soon as you walk in, you’re hit with this amazing retro vibe—classic arcade games like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong line the walls, and everything’s in great shape, ready for some friendly competition. The drink menu is impressive too, with a solid lineup of craft beers, unique seasonal brews, and cocktails. The staff is super friendly and quick, even when it’s packed, and they really know their stuff when it comes to beer recommendations. The atmosphere is perfect—dark enough to feel lik"
a month ago
"Lots of retro games available. It's pretty fun. They don't allow you to bring water inside which is pretty annoying."
a month ago
"Holy crap, we had such a good time here. The barkeeps are great, they have a nice beer selection, and the crowd was friendly and just the right size. Was so happy to have access to a fun selection of pinball machines that were well-maintained, whether they were older machines or brand-new ones. If I lived closer, I would be here every night."
3 weeks ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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