• Posted byby Elle-Rose
  • Updated:
  • 7 minute read

If you’re on the hunt for the best bars with games in NYC, keep reading!

Finding game bars and arcade bars is one of my favorite things to do when I visit a city.

Personally, I’m sweet to a little shuffleboard, or pool… But I’ll settle for some table football too!

There’s just something about a bar packed full of table games, video games, and other fun stuff, that makes for the perfect evening’s entertainment. It’s an ideal place for groups of friends, but also couples too – if you’re searching for a fun date night idea.

If you’re visiting the Big Apple for the first time or are a true-blue local, and you’ve found yourself searching for a fun bar packed with games in NYC, then keep reading. I’ve got you covered.

Ace Bar

  • Website: https://acebar.com/
  • Address: 531 E 5th St, New York, NY 10009
  • Phone: +1 212-979-8476
  • Closest Subway stop: 2 Av

The first spot on my list of bars with games in NYC is Ace Bar! Now, this is undeniably one of the more famous ones on this list, and it’s almost always packed out (especially at the weekends!).

It boasts pinball machines, skeeball, and pool tables for guests, and it also offers video games on huge projection screens!

Mario Kart, anyone?

Although the games are the main draw, the cocktails and beers are also excellent. With 12 brews on tap at any time, it’s a great choice if you’re a beer lover too.

Barcade

  • Website: barcade.com
  • Address: 148 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011
  • Phone: +1 212-390-8455
  • Closest Subway stop: 23 St

Not only is this one of the best arcades in NYC for adults, but their East Village location is ideal for those last-minute hangouts around Manhattan.

We’d say that this was among the bars with games in NYC that gets the balance of alcohol and fun just right.

There’s a focus on classic arcade games like Ninja Turtle and Pac-Man, so it may not be the best choice if you’re a video game fan.

But otherwise, the 25 local brews on tap and the excellent cocktails put this place up there with my favorites!

Pioneers Bar NYC

  • Website: https://www.pioneersbar.com/
  • Address: 138 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001
  • Phone: No number listed.
  • Closest Subway stop: 34 St-Herald Sq

Pioneers Bar is tucked away just seconds from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden, making it one of the best bars with games to stop at after sightseeing.

We adore the fact that it’s open late and is super laid-back. But it’s the pinball machines and pool tables that make it one of the top bars with games in NYC!

Large groups often head here for tournaments and birthdays. So, we suggest heading down slightly earlier to avoid battling your fellow bargoers!

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The Uncommons

  • Website: http://uncommonsnyc.com/
  • Address: 230 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012
  • Phone: +1 646-543-9215
  • Closest Subway stop: W 4 St-Wash Sq

Believe it or not, The Uncommons was Manhattan’s first board game café, and you can stay here all day for just $5!

This small fee gives you access to upwards of 750 different games, but our favorites will always be Cards Against Humanity for a truly raucous evening.

Although the atmosphere is cool and laid-back, you can easily dial things up by grabbing pizzas and a few craft beers that are bound to get you lightly buzzed.

It’s a fantastic pick, if you want to escape the Big Apple’s tourist scene for a few hours.

SPIN

  • Website: wearespin.com
  • Address: 48 E 23rd St, New York, NY 10010
  • Phone: +1 212-982-8802
  • Closest Subway stop: 23 St

This place is all about ping pong and has a trendy atmosphere that makes it a must-visit spot for young folks visiting the Flatiron District.

And don’t worry too much about not scoring a pinball table – there are 19 courts, the full bar (with craft cocktails!), and the dining area.

If you want to dial things up further, you can enroll in this spot’s weekly tournaments to draw out your competitive side.

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Recreation At Moxy NYC

If you’ve been searching for bars that have games, and awesome themed décor, then you’ll appreciate Recreation At Moxy NYC.

It’s tucked away in the upstairs section of the Moxy NYC Downtown Hotel and it operates as a workspace during the day before becoming a bar space in the evenings.

The entire place is 1970s-themed and serves a collection of wonderful cocktails, craft beers, and punches.

When it comes to the games, you should expect tons of old-school classics like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. But keep an eye out for the shuffleboard tables and basketball courts too!

Whatever you feel like doing here, this is one of the bars with games in NYC that’ll keep you occupied all night long.

Alligator Lounge

Hanging around Brooklyn and looking for an entertaining way to kill a few hours? Alligator Lounge is among the best.

Not only does it serve budget-friendly drinks in a laid-back and no-frills setting, but they even offer free pizzas!

Score.

Although the skeeball tables are the main draw, this is also one of the bars with games in NYC that offers pool and karaoke to bargoers.

It’s not the most upmarket spot in the world, it’s a lot of fun, and I think you’ll love it.

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Royal Palms Shuffleboard

  • Website: royalpalmsshuffle.com
  • Address: 514 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
  • Phone: No phone listed.
  • Closest Subway stop: Union St

Next on my list, we have Royal Palms Shuffleboard. As I mentioned above – shuffleboard is one of my favorite games, and one I always seek out!

As you might have deduced from its to-the-point name, this place is a haven for shuffleboard lovers!

Although it’s slightly pricey at $40 an hour for access to the shuffleboards, it’s taken as a fee for the entire group, giving you the option to split the cost.

And to make things even more appealing, they offer tiki-themed cocktails, a selection of board games, and a DJ that dials things up in the evenings.

The Gutter

It might not sound appealing, but The Gutter is one of my all-time favorite bars in the city, and the fact it has games inside, is an extra bonus.

This is the place to be for bowling lanes and craft beers, but you’re unlikely to be disappointed by the brick-oven pizzas either.

There’s less of a focus on classic arcade games here (though there are pool and hockey tables!).

But we’d say that the live music, chilled-out vibe, and bowling lanes make it one worth checking out.

Union Hall

  • Website: unionhallny.com
  • Address: 702 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
  • Phone: +1 718-638-4816
  • Closest Subway stop: 5 Av/Union St

Tucked away on Union Street, this cozy but upbeat bar serves everything from crazy cocktails to homemade cheese and craft brews.

Although you could easily eat and drink the night away, you’ll want to get on board with the bocce courts.

It takes some getting used to if you’re a newbie, but you’ll soon be rolling balls along the ground with the best of them!

It’s a fabulous choice for a date night, catching up with friends, or meeting new people.

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Kick Axe

  • Website: kickaxe.com
  • Address: 622 Degraw St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
  • Phone: +1 833-542-5293
  • Closest Subway stop: Atlantic Terminal

Although wielding an axe after drinking alcohol might not seem like the best idea, Kick Axe is another fun idea. Especially if you’ve got a competitive edge!

It’s just so unique!

You essentially pay a fee at the door to throw axes at enormous wooden targets throughout the night. And don’t worry – the place is monitored very carefully by experts to avoid any accidents.

To give you a bit of Dutch courage, order a few beers and wines from the friendly bar staff!

This place is slightly different to other bars on this list, but if axe-throwing sounds like your kind of thing, then you’ll enjoy it here.

Wonderville

  • Website: wonderville.nyc
  • Address: 1186 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11221
  • Phone: No phone listed.
  • Closest Subway stop:  Kosciuszko St

Wonderville is a hidden gem is in Bushwick and it offers live music, board game nights, and video games throughout the year.

The off-the-wall décor featuring Japanese posters and pop culture items is a huge draw. 

But we’d say it’s also one of the best bars in NYC with games, that’s all about kicking back and trying new things!

Whether you’re craving hotdogs with Korean-inspired toppings or want to down a few high-quality beers while playing the latest video games, this is an excellent spot to visit.

Boobie Trap

This charming little tavern on Bleecker Street is packed with boob-related paraphernalia and décor. So, it’s probably not the place to bring your kids.

But if you’re a fully-fledged adult with a sense of humor, then this is one of the top bars with games in NYC to visit.

You should spend time sipping on beers or cocktails, but most of your visit will be spent trying to conquer Connect Four and Bingo.

Oh, and did I mention the pinball machines and video game sections that are always popular?

Talk about bars with games in NYC that do it all!

Break Bar

  • Website: breakbarnyc.com
  • Address: 458 9th Ave, New York, NY 10018
  • Phone:  +1 212-933-0929
  • Closest Subway stop: Pennsylvania Station

This place is always bustling, and it’s one of those bars with games in NYC that offers billiards, arcade games, and foosball, a couple of things set this place apart.

Firstly, you’ll be able to access any of the games as soon as you buy a drink, making it one of the more affordable bars with games in NYC.

But also, it has a serious twist that lets you literally smash your glasses after each drink.

We’re not quite sure how they afford the constant glass replacements, but it’s certainly a quirky selling point!

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Full Circle Bar

  • Website: fullcirclebar.com
  • Address: 318 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
  • Phone: No phone listed
  • Closest Subway stop: Marcy Av

The final spot on my list of bars with games in NYC is Full Circle Bar!

This spot is an amazing place to visit if you adore skeeball, as it boasts its own skeeball league!

You can try your hand in one of the skeeball lanes for just $1 a game while downing any of their delicious brews. There are upwards of 30 to choose from, so you certainly won’t struggle to find something you enjoy.

Just be warned that your skeeball skills may diminish as you keep drinking – so, get a decent game going the moment you arrive!

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