Barcade
There's a new bar in Williamsburg featuring tons of classic arcade games like Moon Patrol, Centipede, Frogger, and Donkey Kong,and Zaxxon.
(from tangentialism):
i don't normally like big warehousey bars in williamsburg, especially when they're right around the corner from where i live, but at first glance, i kind of like barcade. it's super super "hipster", but then again, there's twelve arcade cabinets lined up against the wall. plus there's lots of different beers, if that's what you look for in a bar. i figure this place will do pretty well in the long run. this crowd seemed a little on the slim side for a saturday night, but i don't think word's gotten out yet
Barcade
388 Union Avenue
Brooklyn, New York, 11211
Comments
even though this sounds a bit like an uber-hipster joint, the arcade games might help to give it a less self-important, murky vibe than, say, union pool. i'm looking forward to checking it out.
more of these reviews, please, and throw in some music reviews too!
Posted by: H. | November 11, 2004 04:00 PM
I hang out there.
Posted by: Brad Pitt | November 11, 2004 07:19 PM
pedestrian.
Posted by: Bojingle | November 12, 2004 10:48 AM
It's a fun bar, perhaps "hipster"ish... but it is Williamsburg. Much less pretentious feeling than most Williamsburg bars, because you can't really act like hot shit playing Pac Man.
Plus, they have crazy beers.
Posted by: rodney jaker. | November 14, 2004 01:03 AM
i didn't really mean to label the bar as a "hipster joint", because i really like the idea and the space is totally comfortable. since i wrote that review, plenty of my friends have gone there and told me that the experience, like rodney and h. have said here, is defused by all the video games (even though ms. pac man is broken). apparently, all the beer is five bucks, too.
Posted by: tangentialism | November 14, 2004 01:59 PM
the crowd is kind of antisocial
but the video game selection is impressive
rheingold pints are 3.50
i say good for after hours--not to plan an evening around
Posted by: ben | November 14, 2004 07:57 PM
I've been looking for the vintage arcade game Popeye. Anyone seen it anywhere? It was the only game I was ever good at
Posted by: Olive Oil | November 14, 2004 08:09 PM
i checked the place out this past weekend, and found that i enjoyed myself, as did my friends, and the vibe was generally friendly. supermario was difficult to play with arcade controls (as opposed to hand-held nintendo controls) but kicked ass nonetheless. helpful staff, too. very decent joint.
Posted by: H. | November 15, 2004 12:32 AM
my friend and i found this place before it blew up and now its full of god damn yupsters. but its a great place... people cannever seem to find it though because of the alcove in the front. my friend mike had the highest score in asteroids for awhile.but then he converted to galaga. the beer selection is very good and the owners are super nice. its my new favorite place sans fridays/saturdays. try to the harpoon winter. its my favorite. sparkling and cinnmonny.
Posted by: escapistnever | November 16, 2004 04:58 PM
I dont know how anyone could say this is NOT a hipster spot. It's funny though, since hipsters are so good at the 80's thing, and all of the games are from the 80s, you really feel like you've gone back in time. The crowd is young but chill and surprisingly it's not a sausage festival, lots of young ladies enjoying the games. My biggest problem with this place is the inflated price of beer. This is the kind of bar in which I could spend many hours - if I wasnt paying 5 bucks for a pint. There are no cheaper choices - like the usual $2 papst or $3 Yuengling. Very well done but the rip off factor will keep me away - plus no pinball.
Posted by: Recone Helmut | January 31, 2005 01:10 PM
Sorry, when I said pedestrian, I meant. It makes my pooter smile.
Posted by: Bojingle | February 5, 2005 02:03 PM
do they have ... Paperboy??? please please tell me they do.
Posted by: mr nice guy | February 8, 2005 11:34 AM
Get over the Pabst thing and understand that $5 is a deal for the types of exotic beer this bar provides. Plus they always have one tap (sometimes two) for $4. Anyway, Pabst is a massive company that has built its business over history by buying smaller breweries and then shutting them down. They care nothing for their employees or their enviornment. Small breweries like the ones on tap at Barcade are all small businesses or family owned businesses with strong community ties and many have strong enviornmental-friendly agendas. I think its nice to know that my $5 is going to a good place - and not to Pabst.
Posted by: beer fan | February 8, 2005 02:49 PM
...or Bud. Even worse.
Posted by: zoltar | February 8, 2005 02:53 PM
Good point and well said. So Papst isn't the answer (that was just an example anyway) but I contend that there should be a special for $2 or $3 bucks - Mugs pulls this off perfectly. It's always a good beer, something I wouldnt normally try and it's always $2.00. Dont get me wrong, I'll still go to Barcade once in a while. I will bring people from out of town for the novelty of it but I wont be there all the time - like i might if there was a happy hour, cheaper choices or a weekly special. That's all I'm sayin..
Posted by: Recone Helmut | February 8, 2005 03:27 PM
Also a good point...
Posted by: beer fan | February 8, 2005 06:39 PM
I did NOT see Paperboy at Barcade, unfortunately...and I agree with Recone about the high priced beer situation. I don't mind paying extra for a fine local beer, but when a place denies me a cheaper option- that upsets me. I must say I was a little turned off by the barback girl in the shirt that says "Don't talk to me, I hate you" and on the back it said "Change machines over there" or something to that point. Arkanoid was fun. Overall, a fun night.
Posted by: sybo | February 12, 2005 12:15 AM
arknoid got harder since i was 12 cause i blew a handful fo quarters on it and barely got past the first level.
Posted by: bugs | February 14, 2005 03:09 PM
arkanoid is hard. berzerk is probably the hardest game they have
Posted by: gamer | February 21, 2005 02:34 PM
i just found out about this place a few weeks ago. i think it's becoming my Friday night hang out. after a long week, there's nothing more i want to do than indulge in good beer. i was surprised to see Barcades' selection of lagers.
one word, yum!
Posted by: Farah | April 29, 2005 01:14 PM
love the bar, but some fat bitch padded her tip...make sure you check your balance! (also, I am spiteful so I am absolutely coming back here to post her name once I figure it out.
Posted by: jo | November 23, 2005 02:26 PM
Was bored on the way home from there last night, penned this down... dedicated to Harri, haha.
played russian attack
until 3am
lost a million in quarters
by half past ten
blisters on my fingers
and an aching head
turned every last one into bleeding red
I down a beer, duck and fire
jump and stab, keep climbing higher
on the high score list
keep changing my name
let everyone know this is my game
'cause you can't beat me at this shit
just check it out
this is the list
1. SUK
2. MY
3. FAT
4. ASS
5. YOU
6. COK
Posted by: Sixten | December 19, 2005 03:46 AM
Some of you sound like cheap morons.............$5.00 for a microbrewed pint is cheap, by 2004 standards, 2008 standards, any standards over the past 10 years or so. To all the whiners, please please go somewhere else.........I like the fact that they don't serve PBR or Coors Light, it keeps your kind far far away.
Posted by: Jocko Homo | January 5, 2008 01:04 PM
Do you have to be 21+ to enter?
Posted by: whoa | June 15, 2008 03:33 PM