Why Arcade Bar Just Gets It

I spent a good portion of my childhood blowing my parents hard earned money in arcades. It was all the incentive I needed to do well on my report card, in fact. There was just something about walking into my favorite arcade and staring out into the endless sea of flashing lights that still makes me smile to this day.

Luckily, downtown Gainesville has just the place for both the nostalgia seekers like myself and the casual drinkers that want a playful night out. Arcade Bar, (yes, Arcade Bar, not Barcade), recreates the magic of your favorite arcade, with the added benefit of being able to serve you alcohol.

Arcade Bar has an impressive array of games inside its three story space. Everything from The Simpsons Arcade Game and Tekken 3 to Zombie Buck Hunter and NBA Jam. There’s also a large number of pinball tables, including my personal favorite, the Game of Thrones themed table. (Seriously, go there and play this. You won’t be let down.)

“We have a few machines that I know are the only ones available to play in the whole state,” said Mike Lipscomb, a staff member at Arcade Bar.

My memory of arcades, as dear as they are to my heart, were of games crammed side by side along a wall, but the units at Arcade Bar are given room to breathe, and the entire place feels clean and well maintained. There’s plenty of space to talk, chill and casually convince your girlfriend to lend you another dollar.

Arcade Bar has two full liquor bars, one on the first floor and the other located on third. The third floor also has more lounge space for enjoying drinks, dancing around and playing as many games of Skee Ball as you can afford.

One of the most interesting (and coolest, in my opinion) aspects of Arcade Bar is the wide variety of people that flock here on any given night. Everyone from the young college crowd, to the older Gen-X crew, find themselves drawn to the clink of tokens being dropped into their favorite games.

“Our patio we share with The Atlantic is coming along nicely,” said Lipscomb.  “With our new offerings like our brand-spanking new Metallica and Game of Thrones machines we’re hoping we can appeal to all types of people looking for fun.”

Arcade Bar is a welcomed addition to an ever-growing downtown Gainesville. It has the off kilter touch of The Top family line of establishments, and the inviting nature of that popular hang out spot you had in high school.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go ask my mom for some more money.