About Boxcar Bar + Arcade
Boxcar Bar + Arcade offers a unique blend of nostalgic arcade games and a relaxed bar atmosphere, making it a fun spot for adults looking to unwind while reliving childhood memories. With a variety of retro games and a lively ambiance, it caters well to adults seeking entertainment rather than being a family-centric venue.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Date nights or social outings with friendsCasual hangouts while enjoying drinks and gamesNostalgic experiences for adults who grew up with arcade gamesAdults 21+ are the primary audience, as the venue is a bar-arcadeNot recommended for children; better suited for date nights or adult gatherings
Why families love it
- Wide selection of retro arcade games and pinball machines
- Clean environment with well-maintained facilities
- Pet-friendly atmosphere
- Live music on the patio
- Free popcorn available for patrons
- Token machine that accepts both cash and credit cards
Insider tips
- Consider visiting after 6 PM for potential free street parking
- Stick to beer for better quality drinks
- Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends
Good to know before you go
- Busy weekend nights when the crowd level increases
- Times when specific games may be out of order
- Some arcade machines were reported to be malfunctioning
- Games can be pricey, with a recommendation of $10-20 for a fun night
- Cocktails may be watered down compared to beers
- Crowds
- Crowded on weekend nights, especially Sundays
- Value
- Games are priced at a premium, with an estimated $10-20 needed for a fun night. The venue provides good value for the entertainment experience compared to traditional bars.
- Food
- Food is available, but specific menu details are not provided
- Safety
- Clean bathrooms
What parents say
"Love that our inner child got to play and the adult could enjoy a drink while playing. Great combination. Clean place. Pinball machines all worked, and I love it. Flogger and Ms Pacman were sensitive joy sticks, which the Pacman machine for 4 players (sit down) blue joy stick would not good down. Only machine that didn't work. Again, overall, great experience. Thank you."
2 weeks ago
"So much fun! I love all the retro games and the drink specials! Tons of retro games, food is available, good drink specials every night. Fun place for a date night! Leave the kids at home, this is definitely a Bar arcade. Paid parking across the street, sometimes you can find free street parking after 6pm, but it can be hard. Bathrooms are relatively clean. Games can be kinda pricey, but $10-20 should be enough for a fun night"
9 months ago
"This was the best bar I visited on my last trip to Raleigh. It was pretty crowded on Sunday night, but the atmosphere was fantastic. The bar features lots of retro arcade games and pinball machines, along with classics like air hockey, skee-ball, and dome hockey. You need tokens to play, but there's a token machine that accepts both cash and credit cards. The place is pet-friendly and has a great vibe, with fun touches like voice-activated hand dryers and motion detector hand sanitizer dispensers. I recommend sticking to the beers, as the cocktails are a bit watered down. There are plenty of "
11 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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