I don't go out too often these days but when I do.. I go to Cobra Bar! Usually Friday's for Dj Chris Villa and mostly Saturday's for Dj Maneone!! Both friends of mine, so I may be bias but not lying that they're two bad ass djs and a few of the best in the whole state here in AZ!!! I love Cobra bar!! The vibes are so chill and fun!! Arrive early to avoid the lines on the weekends! Super trendy and popular spot these days!! But so worth the wait! Drink prices not the cheapest, but not bad. My favorite of their specialty drinks is the Krazy Kong! It's what i ALWAYS order every time I go. Also, I enjoy the princess peach drink! During the week I've never been beside on a Sunday night which is way more chill compared to their Friday's and Saturdays nights. A bar with enough energy as a club feel! Or stay off the dance floor and enjoy the classic arcade games!! I love it!! And it's where I like to spend my weekends when out! read more

Cobra Arcade Bar - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Security was extremely rude. Not the only bar downtown. Lost out on a large tab for several ladies!!!

cobritas is home always love playing pac man dancing to classics & new hip hop' kept them up a float during covid n nem

A date and I decided to check this place out on a Monday and ended up having suuuch a good time. It was Man Crush Monday so tokens for him (aka us) were free! There is nothing I would've changed about our visit here. This place really brought back so many childhood memories. Playing Super Mario, Ninja Turtles, Pac Man and Street Fighter while drinking a Four Peaks Kilt Lifter was literally perfection. The vibe was cool, the music was a blend of EDM and 80's. Enjoyed ourselves so much we even bought T-shirts! I'll definitely be returning on my next trip to Arizona. read more

This place was fun and I had a good time. The server I got was terrible and I'm pretty sure she put something in our drinks.

Was really excited to come to this bar, but very disappointed by the bouncer and lack of organization in the bar. I used my US passport as my form of ID, and he scrutinized my passport very hard. Made me take out my vertical driver's license to prove that it was me, despite my photo looking just like me. Maybe because my passport is actually mine. I was born in Indonesia, but my passport is American because I've lived here since I was 6 months old - I have a strong suspicion he scrutinized me because I was not born in America. I am still a legal citizen and am probably one of the most Americanized Asians you'll ever meet. I've used this passport to travel over 10 countries, if he wanted me to prove that it was legitimate he could have just flipped to the stamps page of my passport to see that I've entered several countries, including the US, legally. Bouncer was very fake nice and called me "smart" for bringing two forms of ID and said he "believed my IDs were mine" but honestly I could tell it was contrived and fake. If you believed my ID was mine you could have just let me in without doing all that. I'm an Asian woman of color and he made me feel discriminated against. My boyfriend is Asian and he checked his ID HARD, while our white friends that we were with got in very easily in comparison. Like 3 people were checking his ID at once hard. Our white friends even commented on how weird it was that they checked our identification with such intense scrutiny, especially because my boyfriend is 25 and looks his age (I look young and just turned 21, so I understand that I might be scrutinized more). The drinks were good, which is the only reason I'm giving it 2 stars but the service and organization was bad. We were approached more than 8 times by 3 different waiters in just 1 hour, which to me shows that they don't know how to organize and assign individual waiters properly to table zones. They also had problems where they gave other tables (not ours) up to different groups despite the original table owners still being in the bar (they were just playing games inside). Wouldn't come here again and definitely wouldn't recommend this to people, especially if you are a person of color. Made me feel like I was an illegal immigrant or something, why would I make a fake passport unless I was trying to come into this country without the proper legal procedure? I have used my passport at various bars and restaurants in AZ, including Chico Malo nearby tonight, and I have never had this experience. Really would not recommend this place, especially for any international students or people not born in the US either (like me) since they'll seem to scrutinize these people more. Reading over other low reviews on Yelp and Google show that this is an ongoing problem; apparently even German and Mexican national citizens with proper, legal forms of ID have been denied entry because of incompetent bouncers (looking at you, bearded old white guy wearing an improper, non-medical mask) UPDATE: Brought this up on their social media to see what kind of response it would get. All I got was a comment saying that "Cobra Arcade is a Latino owned business" and when I said their response did not address my experience or the various reviews they've had on black people being treated like garbage at their establishment, they deleted my comment. They blocked me when I said I would share my experience on my IG. Awful social media management, I'm a marketing student myself and we learned from actual social media professionals that this exactly how NOT to respond to negative comments. Maybe hire an actually qualified marketing manager instead of someone who is "self tought" and misspells "Mountian" on his LinkedIn profile. Yikes. read more

Very rude bouncer said I was "drunk " and questioned if I should go in... I hadn't had anything to drink! I left because I didn't want to spend my money here read more

What a great idea....classic arcade games and a bar! Tokens are needed for game play. They have old school games like Ms Pac-Man, Tetris, and Crazy Taxi. And by checking in on yelp, I got 10 free tokens! It also pays for me to go on ladies night for free tokens. They have other token deals during the week too. They have a fun cocktail menu and prices on these arent terrible l. They have various canned beers plus interesting canned cider flavors, like passion fruit and berry. I gave 4 stars instead of 5 due to that they have a $20 minimum to use a card. I rarely carry cash anymore. So its either double fist or team up with a friend to make that minimum. Also to buy tokens for game play you need cash. read more

This place is so much fun!! I was worried it would be too crowded and clubby, and that I wouldn't even be able to get to any of the games. After coming here a couple of times, I actually haven't encountered those problems at all! Yes, this place is very popular. But if you steer clear of special events, it's not overly crowded and there are plenty of games. Cobra makes a great cocktail, has cheap games, and a fun atmosphere. 5 stars! read more

Cobra Arcade Bar - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Once again, I need a 3.5 star option. The idea of this place is great. Especially for someone who grew up in the 80s such as myself. I spent a lot of time playing arcade games as a kid and this place definitely does nostalgia well. I've been twice now and had completely different experiences both times. So I went in the middle for my rating. The arcade games are super cool and a lot of fun, but obviously depending on the day and time you might not be able to get onto a game to play due to the amount of people that are crammed into the bar. I went on a Saturday night the last time and it was insane there. I waited almost 15 minutes to get service at the bar. My biggest issue was how rude the bartender was when I finally got service. They also had a DJ there blasting music, so no chance of hearing much else and half of the patio closed off for a private party, so that got rid of a lot of space for the people just walking in to hang out. I also went on a Sunday evening after a D-Backs game and had a much different experience. It was a lot less busy, so I was able to get onto some games and the bar service was obviously much quicker and friendly. If you are going for nostalgia and wanna play some arcade games, your best bet is to go during the week. If you are going for the social party aspect then definitely go on a Saturday night and you will be in your element. read more

For a late Gen-Xer, like myself, the nostalgia of an establishment like this is too much to pass up. Cobra Arcade is filled with plenty of the classic games that swallowed many of my quarters in the late 80s and early 90s. If you come early enough, the games you want to play are open, and $5 were enough tokens to keep my wife and me busy for an hour or so. The only negative about the games is that the cabinets have obviously withstood the test of time. The controls are a lot less responsive than I remember as a kid. Probably the result of being used and abuse over the last two or three decades. The crowd is a decent mix of older to middle aged people looking to relive an adult version of their childhood, and some younger adults just grabbing a drink in a part of town that's getting more trendy. Cobra is probably to them the way 80s themed clubs were to me when I was in my early 20s. read more

It was super packed when we went but getting through the line wasn't too bad. The food truck on the outside was amazing! The inside was crowded and the drinks were mostly juice which was disappointing considering for 3 drinks I paid almost $45. The Dj that night was okay but not a lot of current dance music was played until the end of the night. The staff was super friendly though and the bartenders seemed to keep up with the crowd. read more

What a complete waste of time!!! My wife and I travelled from Canada and were staying overnight in Phoenix. We thought it would be fun to spend the night playing some retro games, came with lots of spending money to have a thrill going back in time, AND WERE COMPLETELY BLANKED BY STAFF WHILE WE STOOD WAITING FOR SERVICE!!! Never even got a look from the staff. When someone else walked up right beside us and got served immediately, we walked out, happy we didn't waste too much of our time and money. Apperently if you're not a local, don't waste your time going to this joint!!! We are scheduled for annual trips to Arizona. Will never go back to Phoenix, had such an amazing time everywhere else (Scottsdale, Tucson,Flagstaff, Sedona) no need to waste another second in Phoenix or another cent. #waytoleaveabadtasteinyourmouth read more

After battling with loads of picky yelpers, Cobra just leveled up from pretty nifty barcade to premiere night life spot you MUST check out. It's hot stuff. Like, so great you will often be frustrated by your inability to get in. The concept on the inside is fully realized with original artwork covering everything. Games have their own custom styles added.The lights above the bar are just mesmerizing. It is simply pretty to look at from top to bottom. The game selection is even better as they expand their collection. Everything from sports to RPGs (think Gauntlet) to side scrollers to even some shooting games. Fighting game selection is superb with Marvel vs Capcom 2, Tekken Tag Tournament and more. It's the best of the 90s, even some early 00s stuff is in there so everyone can find something to play. ***Be forewarned games are no longer free. I don't have a problem with this, but it is a giant pain in the rear end fighting through a crowd to get tokens, or making sure you've got enough small bills to last a couple hours. Maybe just revert to 'free' games and charge a cover? IDK the solution, but it kinda sours the pace of play, which is the only complaint I have about this place.*** Anyway, the drinks have vastly improved. The beer selection is bringing in more hard-to-find specimens, and the cocktails are good as well. They're not trying to be super fancy, craft cocktails with rare ingredients and double digit prices, but rather common stuff mixed well that'll keep ya partying all night. Be prepared to dance! And speaking of partying, their DJs are all legit, and their calendar is STACKED with events. Theme nights galore. It's a nerd's absolute dream. It's a fun place by default, and these all put it over the top. They even know how to be awesome during the day. About every other Sunday, they have some sort of tournament for a particular game, where old-school aficionados can win a little something something. Or you can just chill out and enjoy the bright, airy atmosphere and play some console games at the bar. There is literally not a bad time to show up here. It is impossible to not have a good time here, either. Easily some of the best nightlife in the valley. read more

One of my friends was talking about how great this place was, so we came early one Saturday night and it was amazing. I have never played an arcade game on a real arcade machine before, and watching my boyfriend play Super Mario poorly (despite being able to fly through the console version) was the highlight of my night. There are lots of different games, some even up to 4 players, which I thought was really fun. The popular games always had a line (or someone hovering), and the place gets packed pretty quickly, but it was still definitely worth going to and a lot of fun! The drinks are decent, and the ambience is lovely. Parking can be a bit tough, but when is it not? read more

What a cool idea! Vintage arcade games + a bar, all in one! I was shocked at how many games they had. I for sure thought there would be 5-8 but no, not here, they have SO many! If I was to guess, I would say almost 30? They're all different which is super cool. The drinks are delicious as well and prices aren't too bad for a nightlife bar in Downtown Phoenix. It was HOPPING on a Friday! When we arrived, they had a taco food truck pulled up out front and it stayed until about 10 PM. We thought this was very cool and great for the nighttime eaters! Although we had already eaten, it was a fun addition to the scene. My ONLY reason for docking a star is that the doors/windows were wide open and all they had cooling it down were fans and maybe a swamp cooler? Regardless, it was hot and humid. I definitely left sweaty and in need of a shower! This place will be a blast in the cooler months though! I'm sure we'll be back once it cools down for more vintage arcade fun! read more

Has been one of my favorite bars to go to chill vibe.. arcade games are dope throwback to the 90s always a vibe.. drinks are awesome have something for everyone Friday's and Saturday's it gets pretty busy lines out the door but read more

Cobra Arcade Bar - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

This place is great to get away from what's going on in this world. Just as the night is lively, so is the afternoons!

This is a great place to hit for date night or just something outta the ordinary. An old school arcade plus a lively club which even offers a lady's night in Wednesday's so your first few games are free! Cobra is always running new events, block parties, food trucks and more so follow them on Facebook so you stay in the loop. I've yet to attend any of their block parties but I've heard they're a blast. The bar can get pretty packed, and talking inside really isn't going to happen, but they do have a nicely sized out door patio so you break away and get some fresh(er) air. And despite getting packed I can say that wait time on drinks has never been very long. So whether you're doing a bit of bar hopping, looking to play some games, or looking for something to do with friends, check this place out. read more

Went for the first time and actually made it into the bar before it closed. The wait time in line was not worth going to cobra if it weren't for the arcade games. Good service and honestly people really come for the arcade games and yes, they're awesome. Personally my favorite is Super Mario Bros, but there are plenty of games to go around and each game had tables in between them to hold your drink. Loud music and burger food truck stand outside of bar. The bar itself is really cool but waiting almost 30 minute to get in is not worth it. read more

What a jewel of a establishment in the downtown area. To have an awesome place and play classic arcade games. The nostalgic games that are offered for enjoyment are Centipede, Street Fighter, Ms. Pac-Man and many more. If you're looking for something different of a bar ambience, this a great place to visit. The best part is when you check-in at Yelp, you'll receive 10 free tokens! read more

Cobra Arcade Bar - Remember when your hands get numb trying to blast the Centipede and you find out that you can't beat the game! - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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What a gift to us that live in Phoenix! I'm an 80s kid and super excited for this establishment. Thank you for bringing our childhood back with games we grew to love. All the time and effort is shown when you walk into Cobra Arcade Bar! Come on! I mean you actually play with quarters! None of that swipe your card business. Thank you for being 21+ and having an awesome bar! Oh, let's not forget a live DJ spinning all the jams throughout the night. So get your game on and be a kid again while holding a drink of your choice! Cheers and game on! Oh, and if you can get Marvel Vs Capcom 2 that would be a bonus! read more

Cobra Arcade Bar - #cobraarcadebar #downtownphoenix - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

An ultimate favorite in Downtown Phoenix. Their specialty drinks are great, my favorite all the time is the Krazy Kong, which has a subtle hint of banana can't go wrong with that one! Good selection of beers on tap and of course, the arcade! My favorite days to visit are Wednesday for ladies night, they give us free tokens and there is enough people to make it fun but not too much where you can't even walk. I always stay away from Cobra on the weekends, way too crowded and it feels more like a club than an arcade bar. Definitely a different type of crowd on weekends than during the week. The true downtown people always go during the week! read more

Cobra Arcade Bar - Krazy Kongs! - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Finally made it here!! This place is radical. First off, I love the art and decor. Very cool place to hang out it has a cool vibe. The later you stay the more crunk it gets so be prepared to party if your staying late. I mean it was packed! The crowd changes to a younger crazier crowd. The music also changes to less of alternative and more club jams. Be prepared. Games were fun to play and they all worked. None of the games took my coins or malfunctioned so that was great. Tacos cooking were so enticing. I didn't get grossed out in the bathroom it was decent. Drinks were not the greatest. Both weak and soda was flat or something. I got a rum+coke. Lastly, the place could use a wipe down. I just feel like the drink menu was dirty...the bar was dirty. read more

Went in with a group of coworkers a couple Fridays ago for some games and drinks. It's a pretty small place and it fills up early in the night, they also don't have a ton of games but what they do have is pretty nice and a good throwback to the arcades of the 80's. I have a feeling they power off the machines pretty regularly so the high scores get wiped allowing more people to get their names on the boards. I ended up with high scores on almost half a dozen machines, which seems unlikely. The reason for the low rating is, my coworkers and I were standing around talking for about an hour after having been there for several hours. We were keeping to ourselves and not being overly noisy, none of us were drinking and security came up, tapped one of my coworkers on the shoulder and told him to come outside. They then proceeded to tell him he had to leave for being "too drunk". We were there nearly 4 hours and in that time, said coworker had a few beers. The last one being at least an hour before this incident and he was in no way exhibiting any signs of being drunk, let alone "too drunk". In the process of kicking him out, I watched a guy who was so inebriated he literally kept falling down yet security didn't seem bothered by him at all. Reading some other reviews and talking with friends of mine, apparently this isn't an unusual thing at this place, so if you go here, I guess be wary of being thrown out for no reason. I won't bother going back. I was honestly surprised they didn't ask me to leave if they were going to be dicks since I didn't order a single beverage all night, not even water. read more

What a neat bar! Yes... I did just use the word 'neat.' The bar itself is super cool looking.... between the video games, the amazing lighting, and the huge bar, it would be worth a visit for ambiance alone. Luckily, the drinks were also on point. I tried two drinks... one that tasted like bananas (donkey kong something I think....), which was sweet and easy to drink and the other was a bit sweeter... can't remember the name of it at the moment... good story, I know. Anyway, with drinks at around 8$, you really can't go wrong. I will definitely be back! PS The drinks listed on their website don't match their current menu 100%. My friend wanted one of the drinks she saw on the site and the bartender said they couldn't make it... wah wah. read more

The bouncer was kindly checking IDs and engaging in conversation without being that typical rude father-like figure that judges you for trying to stumble your way into a bar. My friends and I went here after a convention. We immediately went to the bar and were surprisingly impressed by the menu. Each friend had the best of their favorite. For me, they had a fantastic and impressive wine list. For my friend, they had surge and vodka (and life coaching lessons). For the couple they had large beers to share and for the faint of heart they had pre-made cocktails. Happy hour was abundant, the coins were flowing, and I had one of the best nights of my life. I played The Simpsons bowling until I ran out of money. Please tell me when you read this review you hear "The Simpsons" sounded out like the theme song. Is that just me? Maybe I drink too much. Regardless, I'm in love with this place. I kicked butt. The key to the game is getting the curve and then positioning yourself to knock the pin just at the tip of the right side of the pin. I wanted to play all of the shooting games but unfortunately they were occupied. I'm not even mad; that got me to try things I wouldn't have otherwise. They have a food truck outside with (!!!) a Mexican food truck. I was skeptical at first as I do not eat meat, but fortunately for me they had a vegetarian kale taco. They were kind enough to ask me if I wanted it vegetarian or vegan. Although tipsy, I will always choose vegan if offered. They served it to us in the sweltering Arizona street outside the arcade. I couldn't appreciate the arcade more for giving us a food opportunity. The restrooms were lovely, the staff was nice, and I had the time of my life. I can't wait to come back here on my next Phoenix bar hop! TIPS: Great for a date night, night out with the guys, or just for a few cocktails alone after class. read more

Super fun place. Best to go on weekdays and if you go on the weekends get there at like 6 or 7 or you're gonna be waiting in a long ass line that doesn't move. read more

Stopped by on "man crush Monday" where male patrons receive free tokens with each drink purchased. How cool! They have a large selection of vintage games including 4-5 pinball machines. The drinks were tasty and the happy hour prices were very reasonable! I would highly recommend stopping by for a game and beer. read more

Cobra Arcade Bar - Menu - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Place is cool. Most of the people there aren't even playing the games. Service at the bar is Ok. Games where fun, downtown crowd is ??? Mixed? Set up and atmosphere is cool. Prices about right. I'd go back. Fun date night read more

Definitely one of the better arcade bars. Quality bloody Mary's and never a dull moment on NBAJam! Also made me very happy to see they had Crazy Taxi and Frogger! read more

What a fun thing to do! My daughter discovered this place in a search to find a place to play Pac-Man (mom's favorite 80's obsession). She treated me to an evening of fierce dot-eating competition and the most awesome cocktail I may have ever had! Ladies' Night on Wednesday is a screaming deal, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! read more

Cobra Arcade Bar - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

good times. it gets packed but security does a great job handling it I would definitely recommend this be your first spot before a baseball game it's will be packed when you get out read more

I came here twice in two different days when I was in Phoenix for vacation. I love their happy hour and they also have daily deals. I tried the Donkey Kong drink and it did not disappoint. They had a dehydrated banana in some whiskey and my goodness what a surprise. Their games are reasonably priced so its not like Dave n Busters where you have to worry about how much tokens you have. A lot of their games are oldies but goodies that remind me of my childhood. Very hip and nostalgic! read more

'Princess Peach' you alcohol based temptress, you... I could have easily sucked down several of those amazing, tangy citrus and peach based cocktails named in a nod to Mario Brothers, while I relived my youthful days of (still) sucking at video games. But alas while I *didn't* count calories back in 1987, when I was a PYT at the joystick of '1943: Battle of Midway', shooting Japanese Zeros out of the sky; I do count calories now and I knew those cocktails were too delicious to be good for me. I had to call it at just two of them. On the bright side, I was good enough at 1943 last night to get my initials on the game's leaderboard. Also on the flipside, I was too slow to do it correctly in time and now it just reads S.O. is in 5th place. (Yes, yes, I do feel like a fool, thanks for asking.) The games are rad, the drinks are amaze, the pounding techno-blend music was perfect, and they even had Monty Python's 'Life of Brian' playing on the big screen TVs behind the bar. Most excellent. read more

If you are looking for a unique spot for a date, then look no further. With the creative and tasty cocktail options and the wide variety of arcade games, you will be guaranteed a good time. The only drawback is that finding parking on a busy Friday night can be difficult, but that is true for most places in this part of the city. read more

OMG, barcades have to be one of the coolest, original ideas ever. Cobra takes it to a whole 'nother level, it definitely wasn't what I was expecting. Alcohol + old school arcade games + live music = absolute heaven. A friend and I decided randomly to make the trek to the Roosevelt area one weekend night from Tempe, and it certainly was worth it. By the time we arrived, it was absolutely lit inside. Lots of people enjoying themselves, a DJ spinning tunes, and a well-stocked bar were in sight. They even had a food truck parked out front! We grabbed some drinks and coins, perused the available games, then went to town. Couldn't have been more happy to find the ONE game I'm good at - Galaga! A few of the pinball machines weren't working but one of the employees gladly gave us more coins since ours had gotten eaten by them. I was sad we couldn't stay longer since they close @ 2a, but that will make the next visit even better! read more

Although Cobra Arcade Bar is far from being the first of it's kind, it is simply done better. Arcade bars are great because they are a combination of two types of fun: liquor and video games. The reason cobra stands out to me among the rest of its kind is that it is an energetic place that serves more than just beer in its bar. Others of its kind are quiet other than the sounds of various video games in the background, but cobra keeps the energy alive whether you're playing a video game or just sitting and chatting with a group of friends (which actually is kind of hard to do because it is rather loud in there). The decor is unique and I love that the bar is very open. During the summer, it gets hot in there, but that's to be expected with tons of bodies gathering into one space. I haven't been in the winter yet, but I'm sure it will feel a lot more cool. The space is complied of several areas of seating, an outside patio, a bar, and two rooms filled with nostalgic video games. The staff is friendly and are even willing to make drinks they've had in the past which aren't on the menu any longer. My favorite drink to get when I'm there is the Princess Peach. I know it's super girly....but I'm a girl. Overall I will say that this is probably one of my newer favorite spots to meet up with friends. One learn though, first Friday's are not a good time to come here. Unless, of course, you like waiting in line for unforeseeable amounts of time while they do the whole, one person walks out and one person walks in to avoid violating fire codes. read more

Cobra Arcade Bar - Invader... isn't a drink on their menu any longer, but was sooooo good. - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Way too loud. Way too busy. Not enough seating. Men's room was horrific, the toilets did not flush according to my friends. Drinks were sub par. Honestly it gives off that pregame vibe. Maybe a good first stop but definitely not an all night hang. read more

Cobra Arcade Bar - Let's see what it's like! - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

I love this place! I'm lucky enough to live nearby. The staff is amazing. Everyone is so nice. They have good drinks and at good prices with it being in downtown and all. I try to get here early because the like to get in at night is crazy! But that comes to show you how good of a bar it is. read more