The best arcade bars in NYC for games and recreations

What is it? It’s a bar. It’s an arcade. It’s Barcade, duh. The O.G. game bar was born in 2004 from a quartet of close friends (Paul Kermizian, Pete Langway, Kevin Beard and Scott Beard) as a more-legit expansion of what they were already spending their downtime doing: drinking craft beer and playing throwback video games in Paul’s Williamsburg loft. You’ll be able to replicate that exact laidback pastime at the Brooklyn original—the first of several nationwide outposts, which include locations in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, California, Michigan as well as its native New York (Chelsea, FiDi, East Village)—which features a rotating selection of 20-plus beers on tap and more than 30 classic arcade consoles from the late-1970s through mid-2000s. Though the Williamsburg bar only has bar snacks on offer (beer nuts, meat sticks and the like), you’ll find more substantial sustenance at its sister locations, from caramelized onion smash burgers to cauliflower buffalo “wings.”

Why we love it: Both the kegged brews and classic games will keep you and your pals buzzed and busy, whether you want to wash down that Donkey Kong session with a well-poured pint of Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA 2024 or some Asteroids play paired with an AleSmith "Barrel Aged" Old Numbskull 2018. Though it’s still very much a group-friendly spot, don’t write the joint off if you’re a solo gamer—grab a glass of O.E.C. Antioch ale and set your sights on breaking that long-held Galaga high score. (Last time we played, it was at a whopping 3,742,270, so godspeed.)

Address: 388 Union Ave, Brooklyn, 11211

Opening hours:  Mon-Thu 4pm-2am; Fri 4pm-4am; Sat noon-4am; Sun noon-2am

What is it? It’s the Sunshine State by way of Gowanus at this pastel-streaked, 20,000-square-foot Floridian playground, where shuffleboard revivalists Jonathan Schnapp and Ashley Albert have retooled lido-deck kitsch for beer-fisted millennials. Sixty bucks gets you an hour-long round of biscuit and tang (shufflespeak for pucks and poles), forming a scene that’s as flamboyantly Boca as it is staunchly Brooklyn. The drinks are just as festive as they were when the place opened back in 2014: Think the Espresso Bob (ALB vodka, Mahina Coco, cold brew, cinnamon and vanilla), named for Arizona Hall of Famer “Shuffleboard Bob” Zalatel, one of the game’s great ambassadors; or the Mango Pigeon (Rosaluna mezcal, Creole shrub, mango, lemon and vinegar), a fruity nod to court slang. (A pigeon is when a puck is precariously stuck on the 7/10-off line, BTW.) 

Why we love it: It’s as welcoming to court virgins as it is veteran shufflers. The ten swimming-pool-blue lanes are regulation-size, and there’s league play for those who actually know their cherries (scoring in the ten-point box on the last shot) from their pepperonis (all four biscuits in scoring position). If you’re less skilled with a tang, the white-clad waitstaff is quick with tips (stay out of the “kitchen,” the negative-ten-point section), demonstrations (tang claws to the ceiling, stoppers down toward the floor) and ref calls when discs veer too close to the lines.

Address: 514 Union St, Brooklyn, 11215

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 5-11pm; Fri 5pm-1am; Sat noon-1am; Sun noon-8pm

What is it? No, despite that saucy name, there will be no partner-swapping going on here—unless you want to mix up your putting team, that is. After launching first in London in 2014, Swingers came, well, swinging over to the states as the Yankee answer to England’s crazy-golf craze — a.k.a. indoor mini golf with wilder routes, tougher hazards and the like — and pitched a groovy New York course in NoMad beneath the Virgin Hotel at 29th Street and Broadway. Tickets start at $28 per person for nine holes (about 30-40 minutes of play), which, yes, is admittedly pricey for a novelty sport, but the lively digs and over-the-top obstacles (giant ticking clocktowers, whirling ferris wheels) slightly lessen that sticker shock. 

Why we love it: If you don’t have aims to be the next Tiger Woods, Swingers will keep even the most golf-averse entertained with its street-food offerings, from the punchy Mexican eats from Tacos by Fonda (meaty tortas, quesa birria) to the frizzle-edged Detroit-style ‘za from Emmy Squared Pizza (four-cheese, ‘roni supreme). Wash those down with pun-heavy potables like the gin-fueled “Fairway to Heaven” (Cointreau l'Unique Orange Liqueur, Fever-Tree Ginger Ale, house-made sour cherry syrup, lime juice) and the vodka-splashed “Sex on the Green” (Giffard Blue Curaçao Liqueur, Passion Reàl Fruit Syrup, lemon juice), along with a wide range of sunny spritzes, signature G&Ts and that perennial warm-weather favorite, the Pimm’s Cup.

Address: 35 W 29th St, 10001

Opening hours: Tue 4:30-10:30pm; Wed, Thu 3-11pm; Fri 3pm-1am; Sat noon-1am; Sun noon-10:30pm

What is it? Upstairs in this bi-level bar, boozers chomp on pub snacks (pretzel bites, street dogs) and nip at microbrews like Sixpoint in the gentlemen’s-club–style anteroom (decorated with Soviet-era globes, paintings of fez-capped men, fireplaces)—before battling it out on the clay bocce courts. Downstairs, spectators are treated to a rotating roster of live talent, such as blaring bands, quippy comedians and a monthly science night.

Why we love it: Those bocce courts are free to play, which lends to the whole homey, laidback feel of the joint, populated with comfy couches, a warming fireplace and affordable drinks ($6-8 beers, $14-$18 cocktails). 

Address: 702 Union St, Brooklyn, 11215

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 4pm-2am; Fri 4pm-4am; Sat 1pm-4am; Sun 1pm-2am

What is it? Founded by husband-and-wife team Mark Kleback and Stephanie Gross — who’ve worked at some of the city’s best DIY venues, from Death by Audio to Silent Barn — Wonderville is Brooklyn's "first all-independent arcade bar," featuring over 30 custom-built free-to-play games by members of the NYC games community. Along with also showcasing indie games, music and art, the Bushwick venue hosts video game tournaments, Dungeons and Dragons nights and board game events. 

Why we love it: Great news, gamers — every single one of those aforementioned games, from Armed & Gelatinous to ZOMBEEZ: a Killer Queen Remix and everything in between, are free-to-play. And those extracurricular events (Beyblade Tournaments and a Hot Dog Appreciate Night were recently featured on the social calendar) are also routinely free.

Address: 1186 Broadway, Brooklyn, 11221

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 5pm-2am; Fri 5pm-4am; Sat 2pm-4am; Sun 2pm-2am

What is it? Opened in 2007, the original Williamsburg location of the NYC bowling bar chainlet (with outposts in the Lower East Side, Long Island City, etc.) features eight vintage hardwood lanes of classic ten-pin bowling. Lane fares range from $30 per half hour on Sundays through Thursdays and $35 per hour on Fridays and Saturdays but the best deal might just be the late-night special from midnight to 4am: $30 of unlimited bowling, including shoe rental. 

Why we love it: Special events like Monday night trivia, comedy shows and after parties help draw in crowds not enticed enough by the combination of alcohol—expect a wide selection of American independent craft beers—and hurling bulky objects.

Address: 200 N 14th St, Brooklyn, 11249

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 4pm-4am; Fri 2pm-4am; Sat, Sun noon-4am

What is it? With 17 Olympic-grade ping-pong tables, this sprawling social club is one helluva place to grip a paddle. Best friends-slash-founders Jonathan Bricklin and Franck Raharinosy realized the same thing we all did in college: table tennis and alcohol are a match made in heaven. It’s safer than darts (why do we play darts when we’re drunk?), and you’re likely to be on a level playing field with your friends. However, we recommend savoring, not chugging, the diverse selection of domestic and imported craft brews ($8–$10).

Why we love it: You can’t beat the service: Staff members bring drinks to your table and refill your bucket of balls, ensuring you don’t have to pause your Marty Supreme cosplay mid-pong session. Tables are $59 per hour on Fridays and Saturdays, but drop in during a weeknight for much cheaper matches ($29/hour on Mondays, $49/hour on Tuesdays through Thursdays). 

Address: 48 E 23rd St, 10010

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 4-11pm; Fri 4pm-1am; Sat noon-1am; Sun noon-6pm

What is it? A pinball bar has come to Woodside, Queens, led by the founder of Pinball New York league Kristopher Medina, Andy Heidel (the Way Station) and bartender Corey Lange (RoseWater, Taco Santo). The bar boasts 18 rotating draft lines dedicated to New York State beer and cider (Finback, SingleCut, Transmitter and the like); for stronger boosts to your game, try some of the cocktails named after local neighborhoods like the Woodside Mule and Corona Park. 

Why we love it: Along with 10 pinball machines— some dating back from the late 1970s, like Mata Hari and and Harlem Globetrotters on Tour—the venues offers a big selection of board and card games plus plenty of seating even on its busier weekend nights, making it a go-to spot for groups. 

Address: 53-22 Roosevelt Ave, Woodside 11377

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 4pm-2am; Fri 4pm-4am; Sat 2pm-4am; Sun 4pm-midnight

What is it? For 15 years, this Skee-Ball-themed Williamsburg has been a haven for kitschy, nostalgia-driven boozing. The beer offerings skew cheap and cheerful, with 40 varieties spread between standard taps and ice-filled coolers behind the bar. Ex: Genesee Cream Ale is always $4, unless paired with a shot for $6. And equally great deal? Pitchers of fresh-lime margaritas ($60) arrive with a side of free hand-cut fries. 

Why we love it: Divey decor reflects the owners' commitment to the game—the bar is constructed from old Skee-Ball machine parts, and a TV up front plays a live feed of the action on the three ramps in the back (which get you unlimited games for free!). 

Address: 318 Grand St, Brooklyn, 11211

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 5pm-2am; Sat, Sun 2pm-2am

What is it? An East Village staple since the early 1990s, this “no fuss, just fun” downtown haunt is a great place to go with people you already know or would like to know better. Across two large rooms, you’ll find two each of pool tables, dartboards, Skee-Ball lanes and pinball machines, plus a photobooth and jukebox. 

Why we love it: You may have to wait it out for a pool table, but there’s ample space to swing a cue—and plenty to do in the meantime. The walls are lined with retro lunchboxes and kitschy horror memorabilia, an HD projection screen airs sporting events and can be used for private screenings, and draft beers like Anchor Steam and Sixpoint Sweet Action are only $3 or $4 during happy hour (Sunday through Friday until 9pm). 

Address: 531 E 5th St, 10009

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 3pm-4am; Sat, Sun 1pm-4am