When it comes to nightlife, Tampa Bay has got plenty of it. From year-round sporting events, to Broadway theater productions, to bars and nightclubs galore, there is always something new and exciting to check out. But for those of you looking for something different to do on your next night out, there is another type of experience you can have. May I introduce: the barcade. Combining the worlds of gaming and drinking, these establishments create adult playgrounds for guests to enjoy. 

Read on to learn more about our local Tampa Bay barcades!

St. Petersburg Barcades

Right Around the Corner 

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A local staple located in St. Pete’s Grand Central District, Right Around the Corner Arcade Bar is a personal favorite of mine for when I want to have a fun, chill night out while also beating my boyfriend in air hockey. Retro video game posters fill the walls, and everywhere you look is full of color and bright lights. The draft list is constantly changing and visitors have described this place as offering the “ultimate fusion of gaming and beer”. Most games are free to play with your drink of choice, and between their Mario Kart tournaments and rotating list of weekly events, you’ll always find something to do here!

Dog-friendly? Yes 

The Potion Portal

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If dive bars are your thing, then I’ve got just the spot for you! The Potion Portal is definitely the hidden gem of Tampa Bay barcades, with it being tucked away in Pinellas Park, but if you want a low key spot with a solid beer menu and plenty of old school games to choose from, I recommend checking it out. 

They offer bingo and karaoke on different days throughout the week, and their Facebook page has plenty of live music events lined up to keep you entertained while you play! The first time I went to The Potion Portal I got lucky, and caught them on a night when all the games were free to play, so keep your eyes on their social pages in case they do it again! 

*Happy hour is from 4-7pm Monday through Friday.

Park & Rec

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Arguably one of the most popular arcade bars in St. Pete, Park & Rec is an indoor/outdoor adult playground featuring old school arcade games, giant lawn games, and a dancefloor. With something for everyone, this is a go-to spot for those wanting to have a fun night out!

The main highlight of this bar is its giant beer pong set on the lawn. If this is your jam and you want to have all the time in the world to play, then I recommend going either during the week or on a weekend afternoon when it isn’t packed with people. Park & Rec definitely draws more of a younger, more college-aged crowd, so if you do find yourself there on a Friday or Saturday night, get ready to party! 

Dog-friendly? Sort of. Their rules state that there are no dogs allowed after 6pm, but trust me, with how busy it gets you wouldn’t want to bring one there anyways. 

Tampa Barcades

Lowry Parcade

If you want some craft beer to go with your gaming, then may I suggest you check out Lowry Parcade. Located between Seminole Heights and Carrollwood in Tampa, Lowry Parcade is Tampa’s first arcade and craft beer bar. Their menu was designed specifically to highlight local and regional breweries, and they are constantly rotating their draft lines to keep the selection feeling fresh. They are also one of the few places where you can order mead (honey wine), which although Tampa does have a few meaderies, it still isn’t super common to find them on the menu. And don’t worry if you are not a drinker; they also have a small selection of non-alcoholic beers available.

You can view their full list of games here, and their rotating list of Pinball Machines here. 

Games will cost you 1-4 tokens per play, but if you go on a Monday or Thursday they have some deals you can take advantage of. On Mondays, you can play unlimited games when you purchase their $8 wristband. And on Thursdays, you get free tokens with every drink purchase – not a bad deal!

Dog-friendly? Yes 

GameTime

This is a place for those of you with kids who still want to go out and have fun. It is very similar to Dave & Buster’s, with over 100 games, full-service dining, and over 60 TVs in their sports bar. GameTime features more traditional arcade games such as lane bowling, Dance Dance Revolution, claw machines, and skee-ball, and their All Access game pass lets you win tickets to redeem for prizes. The pass starts at $25 for 100 credits and goes up from there, but if you check their Promotions section of their website they have deals where you can combine the game pass with food to save some money.

*Happy Hour is Monday-Friday from 4pm-8pm.

GenX Tavern

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Set in the heart of downtown Tampa, GenX Tavern leans into the style and swagger of the 80’s and 90’s. Their themed cocktails definitely bring the nostalgia, with menu items such as the Pump Up the Jam cocktail and Cheech & Chong-a-rita, as well as their Top Gun shot flight. Looking for food instead? How about the Smashmouth! cheeseburger, Richard Simon salad, or the Freebird sandwich?

Genx Tavern has various events scattered throughout the month, and every Sunday is movie night, when they play blockbuster hits and cult classics from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s. Try finding that at any other arcade bar!

*Happy Hour is Monday-Friday from 3pm-7pm.

1UP Entertainment + Social

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Feeling indecisive? 1UP Entertainment + Social is another kid-friendly establishment that offers just about anything you could want to play at an arcade bar. From bowling, to axe throwing, to sports simulators and virtual reality, if you’re looking for a place with a bit more variety than your standard Tampa Bay barcade, then this is the spot for you. They have a well-designed bar featuring craft cocktails, as well as a chef inspired menu with scratch kitchen creations. And did I mention they have an immersive theater?

*Happy Hour is all day Monday, and Tuesday-Friday from 3pm-7pm.

Dunedin Barcades

Reboot

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My favorite one from this list, Reboot, is the most immersive of all the Tampa Bay barcades. Located on the outskirts of downtown Dunedin, it is a one of a kind spot that draws in customers from all over the Tampa Bay area. It is deceptively ordinary on the outside, but as soon as you enter the bar, you are greeted with a blast of colorful neon lights and video game paraphernalia lining the walls. Not only does it have an entire room dedicated to Pinball machines, and over 30 timeless arcade games, but Reboot also has modern video games systems available to play, including Xbox One, Playstation 4 & 5, Nintendo Switch, NG4, N.E.S., and Wii. They pride themselves on serving the best locally crafted, artisanal brewed beer, and offer wine on tap and sake for non-beer drinkers.  

Another service they offer is for patrons to rent any of their pinball machines. And if you have one of your own that needs repaired, they can help with that as well. 

Have you been to any of the arcade bars on this list? Comment below if you have!