I'm not usually one to make bad reviews on yelp but I had such an awful experience that I felt compelled to say something. My friends and I (a group of 6) were initially turned away because the bouncer said he could not accommodate all of us. The place was pretty empty. It was obvious he just didn't want to let us in. We were a mixed crowd of guys and girls and maybe he didn't like that we were having a good time or just wanted to have a power trip but he was very rude. Bouncers are the first impression anyone has of a place and having a bad one just turns people off and puts them in a bad mood. Not exactly great for business. He eventually caved and let us in and the place easily accommodated us as expected. The games were fun and the bar service was average. The bartenders were hit or miss: some friendly, some jerks. The night would've been a lot more enjoyable without the initial bad experience. I probably won't go back if that bouncer is still employed. I'm sure other patrons will eventually follow suit... read more

This 21+ bar is located on the main strip in downtown Gainesville. It's comprised of three stories, each with a little something different to offer. The bottom floor is where the main bar is located. There are some sweet pinball machines and a little space to gather on the first floor. The second floor is really only like half a floor as it open up like a giant balcony so you can see down to the first floor. There's some seating on the second floor so it makes a good location for people watching. A lot of the classic arcade games are located on this floor along with a big screen and a console so you can get in on some MarioKart action. The third floor is my favorite and I usually head straight up there. The DJ is located on the third floor along with another bar, skeeball, foosball and some other games. The third floor usually turns into a dance party on busier nights. Bring cash because the games take tokens which you get from a machine. The drinks are decently priced and it's usually a fun environment to be in. Definitely a good place to get the night started at. read more

Arcade Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Such a cool bar to hang out at for a chill atmosphere. I'm usually more of a dancing while drinking kind of gal- however, this was really a nice alternative, and it has a lot to do with the way they're set up. There's 3 floors with a decent amount of seating at each, including some padded seats in a nice corner on the second floor that I really enjoyed hanging out in. They have a wide variety of games- from the OG arcade games, to pinball, shooters, fooseball, etc. They do tokens through a machine, as most arcade places do. They have nightly drink specials, and the usual beers, liquors and ciders. I thought the prices were reasonable as well. The bathrooms are small and crowded but realistically, that's the best place to make friends with drunken strangers- in case you didn't know, drunken girls are the friendliest and sweetest people on the planet. Arcade Bar was a nice change of pace for a night out! read more

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Super fun and hip... I will give five stars when they get a dance dance revolution!!!!! Ummm it's kind of a big deal! This place was so great and totes fun I'll be back fo Sho read more

Fun, interactive bar. More than just a college bar because of all of the awesome games they have. It's a plus that the games actually work. They have TVs, an outdoor area and a good mix of music! read more

Really cool bar that consists of 3 levels of gaming. I didn't order anything to drink, but I did play on all three levels. I really enjoyed the mix of new and old games and had a ton of fun re-living my childhood. This is a fun and casual way to spend the evening and honestly, if you don't want to bar hop and just stay at one place-this is the place. read more

Really fun arcade. I didn't get any drinks. However there was three floors of entertainment. My only minor complaint was some of the arcade machines had stuck control buttons so be aware. read more

This is the greatest place I've ever been to in my life. 3 floors. A bar with arcade games, a floor with more arcade games, and a club with a few more arcade games and an even bigger bar. And the music is awesome with plenty of throwbacks. read more

Wow. Arcade bar, or how my friends and I lovingly call it, Barcade, is by far the best place to be on a Saturday night in downtown Gainesville! Ever since turning 21, I have enjoyed the wide selection of beers, bottles, and specialty cocktails that Barcade has to offer. Not only are the drinks delicious, but the games make for an exciting night. My personal favorite is ski ball which is located on the third floor. Coincidentally the third floor is also my favorite, as it is where you can purchase the specialty cocktails and dance like there's no tomorrow! I noticed that yelp said that this is not a good place to dance but I strongly disagree. Although it can be a little crowded, there are always some sick beats being dropped by Neon Liger and a diverse crowd of people to enjoy them with! Until I graduate, this will forever be the place I end my night in downtown Gainesville XOXO gossip girl read more

3 floors of arcade games and a bar, what more can a manchild ask for ? They play nothing but trap shit so you know Issa vibe.

My husband and I were in Gainesville for the weekend and we found this place on Yelp, so we wanted to give it a try. We didn't know that the 3rd floor didn't open until 8pm, and our whole reason for going was skee ball! Cheap drink prices, great nostalgic games, we'll be back! read more

It was my 1st time at the arcade bar. It has 3 floors, although I didn't get to see the 3rd floor since it doesn't open until 8pm on Sunday. Majority of the machines were pinball which was kind of a bummer, wish they had more variety. Best part is they offer drinks. They have great options for beers and liquor. read more

Are you an adult who loves to drink & play? Well, obviously you need to go to the Arcade Bar. A divey-style, 3-story bar filled with arcade games on every level - even the older ones you used to play on your original Nintendo system - as well as more interactive games like Ski-ball (can anyone seriously nail the 100 slot?) and Foosball, too. Feel like just lounging instead? There's ample seating, high-top tables, spacious bars, and cup holders everywhere per another fellow Yelper's review (shout-out to James J.), a bar on every level, and great bartenders. Full liquor bars, no food served, no smoking (yay!). It gets busy and crowded so be prepared to wait a little for popular games. Head up to the 3rd level for more space/seating and the largest bar in the joint. Games take tokens so bring cash although ATM is available inside if you forget. We were here Saturday night and I have to give a STANDING OVATION to the bartender on the 1st floor (I don't know his name but hope he or his manager sees this) - there was an incredibly intoxicated woman at the bar, barely able to sit on the stool, falling over, appeared like she was blacking out and couldn't keep her head up. The people she was with were trying to coax her outside to get a cab/Uber and go home, but she resisted/refused for several minutes. She was causing a scene. The bartender gave her a water and when she tried to order a drink she obviously did NOT need, he firmly told her she was cut off and needed to leave. He repeatedly told her she needs to leave during the 20 or so minutes she hung around. Her friends as well as the bar manager on duty urged her out and eventually did get her safely into a cab/Uber and sent her home. I applaud the bartender for being adamant and responsible by looking out for this woman's safety and not allowing her to continue to drink. He also seemed to be looking out for other patrons like myself - nobody wants a sloppy drunk, falling all over, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere for others - so THANK YOU to the bartender on the 1st floor who was so great and responsible Saturday night! read more

I came by on a cold Saturday night and the place was pretty packed. There are 3 floors but we stayed on the 3rd floor. It had pinball, arcade games, and skee ball. We played pinball and skee ball whilst listening to some dope hip-hop jams being spun by a DJ. This is a cool spot and definitely worth checking out. read more

Holy crap, this place is amazeballs fun. Can't add anything to what the first reviewer said. I didn't even get to play any of the games I wanted to because it was so packed. The only downside is that my handicapped buddy was restricted to the first floor because there's no elevator or other ADA means of him getting around, and all the seating areas downstairs were full. But he still had a great time, as did I. Check it out. read more

Do not go here if you are looking for craft cocktails. Go for the arcade and have a beer. Spend your time next door at the dime or across the street at Madrina's if you want a curated cocktail experience. This was the last stop of our night. Grabbed drinks from the bar first. Cocktails were not worth it. You can get quarters from the bar and then have fun on three floors worth of games. Good music playing throughout and a fun atmosphere overall. Some of the games have quarter slots that don't work which is a drag if you are playing a retro game like simpsons or teenage mutant ninja turtles and want a specific character or have a larger party. They have a SNES on top with free to play Mario kart on the big screen which was fun. Overall this is a great place to have fun playing some throwback games...area 51, mortal kombat, tekken, Simpson's, TMNT and a ton of pinball. Service was fast and not too pricey. Staff was polite. Oh...if you are over about 6 ft 3 you will hit your head on parts of the ceiling here. I'm 6ft 2 and came super close in spots. We would go back though. Good times. read more

Do not support this bar. First, they would not let my group of friends in because he claimed we were too large of a group, but let's in a group right behind us. Then was rude about not being able to let us in. That is poor business to turn away a group of paying customers and poor customer service to be rude about it. read more

Always a great time when we go! Gotta love the classic pinball machines, hockey and joy stick games. Wednesday night is free skee ball but after a certain time last night it was free as well. It was pretty packed for a Tuesday night. Easily spent $20 on arcade tokens but it's such a great place to take friend from out of town. Definitely a must visit for Gainesville night life read more

Very cool spot to chill. Arcade games offer unique vibe. Went on Saturday night around 10:00 which was perfect time as it was active inside but not too quiet. Was able to find two seats at the bar without a problem. Multi-levels offers more space. Recommended for post dinner pit stop for a night out. The Top group really know what they are doing. read more

Ok prices and ok bartenders. Games were not working and they didnt even comp us tokens or a drink.

I usually love this place, but the new door guy is extremely rude and unprofessional. Is he ever sober? Don't think I'll be coming back again if he's there making fun of us for no reason. read more

3.5 Stars. It's a great concept, but I wish they had fewer 'multi arcade' machines and more original model video game machines. The controls on the multi arcade machines usually aren't quite right, and for some games they are just unplayable. House of the Dead is a great game, and they have at least two of those. Points lost for depending on the multi arcade games instead of the genuine original games, not having enough drink specials, and too frequently filling the third floor with smoke from the fog machine until it's so thick you can barely breathe. Also, the sound system on the first floor is lacking. read more

Love the laid back atmosphere. No cover. Entertaining old-school games. Favorite game: skeeball

Great place, fun games, tons of nostalgia! The upper floors were too hot though. Please fix the A/C!!!