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Boxcar Bar + Arcade

4.2 (701 reviews)
InexpensiveBars, Arcades
Open 4:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)
Updated a few days ago

Boxcar Bar + Arcade Photos

BOXCAR BAR + ARCADE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Loud
Live music
Casual
Happy hour specials

Recommended Reviews - Boxcar Bar + Arcade

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Reviews With Photos

Marissa M.

Boxcar is a unique place to unleash your inner child in the triangle. I previously visited their Durham location which is huge in comparison to Downtown Raleigh. This location does not have as much real estate, games or the cool pizza counter, however there is a little bit of something for all gamers and 80's babies alike to enjoy. I visited after 10 p.m. while celebrating a birthday with a friend and he really enjoyed being a big kid for the evening. Mario Kart, Air Hockey, Skeeball, NBA JAM, Pinball, StreetFighter and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are all classics. The staff were very friendly and worked hard. I love the late night hours and parking was seamless when scoring a spot right in front of the building.

Drinks
Catie F.

We had a great time here this week on our visit to Raleigh. This was a great spot to have fun/kill a few hours in the rain, we came back twice after our first visit. IDs are checked at the door because after 8 it's 21+, you can just order drinks at the bar anytime though. You need tokens to play the games, but they definitely give a decent amount worth for the cost. We had lots of fun playing ski ball, basketball, mario cart, pinball, claw machines, golf simulators, etc. There are so many games and some awesome drinks specials. My mimosas were only $2 on Sunday for example and champagne bottles for $12 on NYE. We also really enjoyed their on tap/draft selection. You have to come here if you are local to Raleigh or visiting like us!

Jessica C.

Boxcar Bar + Arcade is a super fun place to hang out for an afternoon or evening. We asked it my 17-year old stepson could come inside or if it was only 21 and older. The staff said he could come in until 7 pm. Sadly, we only had an hour, but he had the best time in that hour. My husband and I enjoyed all the old-school games like galactica, pac-man, frogger, and so many more. I've been a few other times with friends and had a fun time hanging out for drinks and entertainment. Boxcar is a great option for something different to do.

Austin L.

super fun environment and good selection of games. i didn't order any drinks but they have a full fledge bar so im sure you can get anything. staff were super friendly and security ensured the safety of everyone. would come again

Kenisha R.

Bar is stocked and they had specials on a daily basis The games are good for single and multiplayers This place brings back all the fun you had as a teen but with Drinks. Great place to hangout

Toy Story 4 Pinball machine
Iris R.

This place is a vibe! From the games, the staff, the decor and the showing of quality cartoons. A friend and I decided to try out the onesie party event at this local spot. There weren't many onesies, but the energy was fun and positive. The bar staff was knowledgeable and friendly. I appreciate that some of the staff wore onesies for the event. The drink selection offers various IPAs, hard seltzers and cocktails. I enjoyed the Oh Yeah! drink (the name made me think of Macho Man Randy Savage). I do wish that this location offered some type of snacks for customers. I appreciate the variety of games at Boxcar. The location offers pinball, skeeball, air hockey, arcade games and driving simulation games. I was excited to see a arcade favorite of mine-The Simpson game. I will for sure visit this location again.

a large crowd of people
Michael Q.

Boxcar Bar + Arcade is a busy, busy bar that also happens to have some great vintage arcade games. We were shocked at how packed BB+A was this early on a Saturday. We've been to a few vintage arcades in other cities and have never seen one so packed with younger people who are (maybe) playing these games for the very first time. Without missing a beat, we grabbed some quick drinks from the center bar and made the rounds to play some classics, favorites, and long-forgotten games. Yes, we're those Gen-X'ers that fondly remember playing Street Fighter, NBA Jam, Ms. Pac-Man, and Frogger "back in the day." We also saw a few sweet games that we forgot about, like Jurassic Park. What we enjoyed most about BB+A was that the entire crowd was cool and level headed. We played a few games of NBA Jam with a group of much younger guys, talked a LOT of trash, and ended the game with high fives and props. Our only feedback would be to lower the front pinball section from $1 to .50. When the back gets packed, the pinball section is the only place you have some elbow room, enjoy your drink, and continue the fun. We look forward to our next BB+A outing, cold drinks, and Jam session.

Pac-Man
Kayla B.

We love box car!! This was a fun night out, we will definitely be back. Good music, no issues with fighting or people being over served. It's definitely a young crowd but we fit in at ages 30-45. There is no food, but you are more than welcome to order from local spots and have it delivered. They have holiday drink specials that are pretty good. The bartenders stay very busy but keep a great flow. No long hold ups. Tip you'd bar staff, they keep the night going.

Lexi M.

This is a great spot to have a drink, catch the game, or play a ton of different games! They have pinball, skiball, air hockey, basketball, Pac-Man, etc. So many different games to choose from, there's something for everyone! The service is quick and the space is HUGE! Great spot to meet up with friends or a fun date night!

Jackie P.

Great atmosphere fun for all ages.. Drinks were all great and lady behind the bar friendly. Only thing missing is food. But not a deal breaker

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2 months ago

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3 months ago

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1 month ago

Cool spot to hang with friends. Hit the pit before hand then swing by to play some games and get some ducks

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8 months ago

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

Pinball machines in good condition and decent selection. It is extremely loud in the back of this establishment

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4 years ago

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

Went to Boxcar while waiting out the rain for a concert. Great time of games and drinks!!

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7 years ago

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Boxcar Bar + Arcade Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Boxcar Bar + Arcade

I'm moving to the area soon. How is it for a potential dating spot is it mostly couples?

Boxcar typically has a very diverse crowd, and while it's a popular date night destination, it's equally popular for friend groups, work outings, families, and solo visitors.

If i'm the DD for the night, am i allowed in after 9pm? i'm 19.

We are strictly 21+ with the exception only of minors accompanied by a parent before 9pm.

Are dogs allowed?

Yes, we are a dog-friendly establishment!

Is Boxcar in Raleigh locally owned?

Yes - Boxcar Bar + Arcade is a locally owned and operated business.

Are children allowed?

Please beware that we're a bar above all else, but we do allow children accompanied by a parent before 9pm daily. Otherwise, and after 9pm, we're strictly 21+. Cheers!

View All 6 Questions

Review Highlights - Boxcar Bar + Arcade

They have skii-ball and pinball tournaments, free popcorn, giant jenga, and live music some nights on the patio.

Mentioned in 62 reviews

Read more highlights

ParTee Shack - South Raleigh

ParTee Shack - South Raleigh

4.5
(79 reviews)
4.8 mi

Great fun miniature golf that takes it to a whole new level!…read more Venue: looks can be deceiving. Doesn't look like it can accommodate 3 courses but it sure can. Has small kitchen for food and drinks( soft drinks and beer). Has sitting area to eat. Small arcade area. The miniature golf course here is so awesome- it is not your average miniature golf course. It has unique chances a long with it- weather throwing balls, , puzzles, coordination, you name it. It even has a small zip line within! Service: everybody was very friendly Price: reasonable. Came here with my son but I enjoyed it more!

From the heart of Raleigh, NC is this unique indoor putt putt course. I was in town for a wedding…read moreand this place was the first activity that populated and I needed to check it out! There are 3 course Yellow, red, and blue. I didn't realize that there were multiple course until half way through the course I was wondering how I get on the indoor bus. Each course had a uniqueness that made it completely different from the other courses. My favorite from Yellow course was the zip line, red course was the slippery floor and the Rocket , and blue course was the bus and pool table. Each course & hole had an activity thaw was an interactive experience. The cost for this activity was $16 for all 3 courses per person, great price for this experience. The staff were friendly and answered all my questions. I didn't eat but definitely bring a water bottle as they have refill station near the bathroom. The bathrooms were clean as well as the inside & on the courses. Employee was dusting the course in between people finishing their shots. The parking lot was huge, so definitely plenty of parking. I had a great time and definitely recommend, if you're looking for a fun, unique activity. Cheers

Photos
ParTee Shack - South Raleigh
ParTee Shack - South Raleigh
ParTee Shack - South Raleigh

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Frankie's

Frankie's

3.5
(273 reviews)
13.0 mi
Kid friendly
Large group friendly

Anytime we're looking for something to do, we always forget about Frankie's but when we do recall,…read moreit's always a great time to be happy. This place seems to evolve time after time. They always seem to have new attractions and things popping up. The service is always great. The food is decent, just enough to quench your thirst to keep you on those rides and playing golf. We love the laser tag experience.

Frankie's Review - 3/5…read more While in town, we decided to visit Frankie's after it was recommended to me by my boss, and this time I had my husband and 12-year-old son with me. Overall, it was a nice way to spend time together as a family and gave us something fun to do during our visit. Frankie's offers a good variety of attractions, and my son especially enjoyed the rides, including the claw, roller coaster, and zero gravity experience. We also played putt-putt golf, which was enjoyable, though I personally found the course a bit less challenging than similar places I've visited before. The road course was also on the shorter side, but still fun for what it offered. One thing I would note is that the pricing felt a bit high, particularly for the arcade games and rides, especially considering some of the experiences are fairly brief. We also found the pizza to be a little overpriced, so we chose other food options as well as their burger and Philly cheesesteak. Unfortunately, one part of the experience that stood out in a less positive way was the customer service around some of the attractions. Several of the attendants seemed very nonchalant and disengaged, almost as if they were not very happy to be there. That kind of energy can affect the overall atmosphere and, for me, made it less likely that I would return or recommend it. We also had to wait for attendants to assist with some of the more interactive 3D-style games, which interrupted the flow of the experience. That being said, one of my personal favorites ended up being the carnival 3D shooting game, even though we did have to wait for an attendant before we could play. Once we got on, it was definitely one of the more enjoyable parts of the visit for me. On the positive side, it was not crowded during our visit, which made the experience much more relaxed and enjoyable. I especially enjoyed spending time in the arcade with my family, and that ended up being one of the highlights of our visit. I also want to mention our experience in the bar area with Olivia Jackson, who provided such warm and pleasant service. She was courteous, attentive, and truly showed genuine Southern hospitality. Her kindness and professionalism made us want to stay longer, and we ended up enjoying our food and family time even more because of her. She was definitely one of the bright spots of our visit. Overall, while I have visited similar entertainment venues that I personally enjoyed more, Frankie's still provided a decent family outing and a different experience while we were in town. I would rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

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Frankie's
Frankie's
Frankie's

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Dave & Buster's Cary

Dave & Buster's Cary

2.4
(402 reviews)
6.5 mi
$$

Went here on Friday for a few beers and to play some games. Bartender was attentive and busy. Draft…read morebeers were ice cold and reasonably priced. Games were clean. Surprised how many games seemed to be out of order but it doesn't surprise me after watching how some people treat them. Didn't eat here this time but will be sure to try it out next time I visit with my daughter

Honestly, I came here to watch the basketball game and the wrestling pay per view tonight. And…read morethat's rhetorical only nice thing I have to say. I'm still sitting here, there's been three bartenders, and not a single one has even had the balls to come. One of the managers who has walked by has poured me a beer twice and let's expand upon this... I got here and sat at the bar. The area wasn't even bussed. No worries. I give grace. Sat here for twenty minutes and a manically saw me and got me a beer. Finished it! And waited 22 minutes before the same manager saw me and brought me another beer in between drinks. I still have never been asked for food or even Priya menu. I am visiting from Texas and this place is an absolute joke. No level of customer service. No level of professionalism. I will be forwarding this review to Tony Khan and the TKO group. This place is an absolute disgrace to any establishment. I'm sitting here still and let's see how much it gets worse. Oh ya. I'm still sitting here. 17 minutes later now. Waiting on my third beer since 7:12 pm and it's 10:17 now.

Photos
So. Many. Screens. Sportsapalooza indeed.
So. Many. Screens. Sportsapalooza indeed.
Caesar salad
Caesar salad
Godzilla VR

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Godzilla VR

Boxcar Bar + Arcade - bars - Updated July 2026

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