New York City's 6 Best Arcade Bars

When it comes to nightlife, there’s something in NYC for everyone. Looking for a dive bar? There are plenty. More interested in bottle service and a night of dancing? Hit up one of the clubs. Craft cocktails are your thing? Some of the best cocktail bars anywhere are here. And if you’re looking to play a game while you drink, check out this list of arcade bars in the city.

Barcade

Barcade is the classic NYC bar/arcade, clearly evident from its name. It’s got three locations in the city (two in Manhattan and one in Williamsburg, Brooklyn), so you’ll never be too far away. Barcade is all about timeless classic video games, and you can check out their full list of options on their website. Plus, they’ve got tons of American beers on tap to keep your thirst quenched.

Multiple locations

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Full Circle Bar

Bar, American

A casual spot in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Full Circle Bar is all about skee ball and cheap beer. Check it out any night of the week for their awesome happy hour deals, or, if you’re really an expert, consider joining their skee-ball league. This place is all about nostalgia: the actual bar is constructed from old skee-ball parts and beers are mostly served in cans from ice coolers.

The Fat Cat

Music Venue

The Fat Cat is a subterranean bar in the West Village in Manhattan, and if you’ve never been, it should be at the top of your list. It’s almost impossible not to have fun here: there’s live music, board games, shuffleboard, pool tables, ping pong, and so much more. Come early to snag yourself a table or, if you’re a die-hard ping pong player, you can enter their Sunday tournaments.

Ace Bar

Bar, American

Opened in 1992 in Alphabet City, Manhattan, Ace Bar is a rare find. In a neighborhood that’s undergone gentrification, Ace Bar is a reminder of how the neighborhood used to be. It hasn’t changed at all since its opening – it’s still cheap and there are still no frills – and it’s still a place to go for a round of pool, darts, pinball, or skee ball.

Two Bit's Retro Arcade

Bar, American

Located on the Lower East Side, Two Bit’s Retro Arcade is what it sounds like – a retro arcade! It’s got 22 rotating games, drink specials, and a projection screen playing old-school movies and shows. If you’re a serious video gamer, this bar has some of the rarest games you can find, and if you’re not, they also have a surprisingly good list of wine and sake.

Royal Palms Shuffleboard

Bar, Food Truck, Pub Grub

While technically not an arcade, Royal Palms Shuffleboard has become the place to be for drinks and games. The place is huge and feels like an escape from the city, so it’s the kind of place you’ll want to spend all day at. It gets busy, so if you have to wait for a shuffleboard lane you can drink and play Jenga while you wait, or hit up the food trucks that are often parked outside.

Barcade

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