Ready Player One
Several months back I heard about the Boxcar Arcade opening up in downtown Raleigh. Lots of my fond childhood memories were spent pumping quarters into cabinets of fiberglass and cathode ray and their demise at the end of the 90s bummed me out a bit. Granted home gaming systems have all but rendered them obsolete, there was still something more engaging and entertaining about heading to an arcade to see what new games were in stock and playing with or against random strangers.
I'd heard from friends who lived in more happening locales that bar arcades are starting to become a thing as people from my generation are combining their entrepreneurial sense with the nostalgia of their peers. This place opening up sparked my interest and I finally checked it out this evening.
The selection of games was nothing memorable. A few favorites of mine were present and a few others were in dubious working orders, but I had seen far, far worse in my youth. The skeeball machines didn't award tickets for obtaining rubber insects and reptiles, but it was still nice that they were there to enjoy. Of course there was the alcohol selection, which like many other local watering holes, was one of the main drawing points. The bar boasted a very impressive craft beer selection and were actually priced at reasonable rates.
If I lived downtown I would likely visit this place far more often and toss away far too many quarters and suck down far too many pints, but there are much worse ways to spin myself into oblivion.
I'd heard from friends who lived in more happening locales that bar arcades are starting to become a thing as people from my generation are combining their entrepreneurial sense with the nostalgia of their peers. This place opening up sparked my interest and I finally checked it out this evening.
The selection of games was nothing memorable. A few favorites of mine were present and a few others were in dubious working orders, but I had seen far, far worse in my youth. The skeeball machines didn't award tickets for obtaining rubber insects and reptiles, but it was still nice that they were there to enjoy. Of course there was the alcohol selection, which like many other local watering holes, was one of the main drawing points. The bar boasted a very impressive craft beer selection and were actually priced at reasonable rates.
If I lived downtown I would likely visit this place far more often and toss away far too many quarters and suck down far too many pints, but there are much worse ways to spin myself into oblivion.