Where the concierge points people first
- Chinatown Fair Family Fun Center — On Mott Street, an arcade in some form since the 1940s and for years the home of the city's fighting-game crowd. Small, loud and still the most New York arcade on the list. (40.7140, -73.9986)
- Barcade — The bar-arcade that started in Brooklyn and now has several Manhattan outposts, with classic cabinets alongside craft beer. A bar first, so expect ID at the door. (40.7101, -74.0104)
- Two-Bit's Retro Arcade — Retro cabinets and pinball on the Lower East Side, with a bar. For people who care whether it is the original machine rather than a multicade in a nice cabinet. (40.7208, -73.9872)
- Dave & Buster's — The big modern format in Times Square and Brooklyn: redemption games, simulators and a restaurant. Suits families and groups who want a whole afternoon under one roof. (40.6835, -73.9746)
The rest of the arcades in New York — every one we hold
- American Legion (40.6851, -73.9507)
- Billings Arcade (40.8603, -73.9349)
- Brandgames (40.7263, -73.9959)
- Chuck E. Cheese (40.8078, -74.0168)
- Chuck E. Cheese (40.6845, -73.9773)
- Chuck E. Cheese's (40.8239, -73.9303)
- Davidson Gallery (40.7627, -73.9747)
- Don's & Diva's Executive Suites (40.7480, -73.9847)
- Escape Virtuality (40.7471, -73.9915)
- Fifth Ave Arcade (40.7451, -73.9873)
- Fruit supermarket (40.7241, -73.9316)
- GamingCity USA (40.7563, -73.9303)
- High Heat Sports (40.6975, -73.9313)
- Jump Into The Light (40.7218, -73.9882)
- Lucky Strike Chelsea Piers (40.7466, -74.0099)
- NxGn Arena - Laser Tag Near Me - Arcades Near Me - Things to do (40.8064, -73.9879)
- NYU ScholasTix (40.7298, -73.9978)
- OS NYC (40.7159, -73.9966)
- Say Cheese (40.7598, -73.9188)
- Squarena (40.7546, -73.9882)
- Stanley's Claw Machines (40.7155, -73.9993)
- Super Mario Bros. (40.7226, -73.9841)
- Sweet Cats Cafe (40.7375, -73.9910)
- The Bumper Factory (40.7783, -73.9785)
- The Rage Cage (40.7102, -73.9355)
- Tidal Force VR (40.7407, -73.9906)
- Up One NYC (40.7212, -74.0001)
- Vr World Nyc (40.7480, -73.9839)
- Vrbar (40.7026, -73.9864)
- YokeyPokey Virtual Reality (40.6851, -73.9797)
A credit is not a dollar
The big modern arcades in New York run on a reloadable game card loaded with credits rather than money, and each machine is priced in credits. That makes it hard to see what a single game costs, and bundles sold at the counter are designed to leave something on the card. Work out what a credit is worth before you load it. The retro bars are simpler: the price of a play is on the cabinet, and what you see is what you spend.
Questions people ask
What are the best arcades in New York?
Chinatown Fair Family Fun Center for history, Barcade and Two-Bit's Retro Arcade for retro games with a drink, and Dave & Buster's for a big family day out.
Do New York arcades take coins or cards?
The large modern venues such as Dave & Buster's use a reloadable card. Smaller retro bars generally price per play at the machine, so check at the door.
How many arcades are there in New York?
Num's directory maps 35 arcades in New York, including bar-arcades, VR venues and family entertainment centers.
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