Full of friendly competition and an array of vintage video games sure to bring back the best of childhood memories, Boxcar Arcade has become a much-loved hidden gem among locals and nonlocals alike. The bar-plus-arcade combination has been the spot of many memories among visitors since opening three years ago and, according to Boxcar’s operations manager Bryan Carter, the fun has only just begun.
“Boxcar has far exceeded our expectations regarding the success of the bar,” Carter said.
Currently sporting two locations, one in Raleigh and one in Greensboro, Boxcar will soon open a third in Durham due to its recent success. The college crowd seems to be a prime customer base for the bar, and now it will have a location in three cities with large North Carolina universities.
Formerly acting as a bar called Spy, the concept for Boxcar was born after Spy’s owner went out of town and discovered a bar similar to Boxcar and loved the idea. They were closing down Spy and management decided to give the arcade-style venue a shot. It worked. As can only be expected, the venue had a few issues when first starting out but quickly has become one of Raleigh’s most talked-about hangouts.
In terms of their drink lineup, Boxcar offers an impressive wealth of beers and cocktails. Popular brews include Hell Yes Ma’am, a Belgian strong golden ale, Conway’s Irish Ale and the crisp Sour Monkey. Seasonal mixed drinks include One Way Ticket, a blend of Rumchata, orange juice, pineapple juice and dark rum float, and the “Irish Goodbye,” which features Jameson Whiskey, apple cider, ginger ale and a splash of lime. The bar has drink specials every night of the week, further making it a spot for college students to kick back and relax.
According to Carter, Boxcar’s primary mission is to ensure that guests have fun and relive the best of their childhood in the process. Upholding this mission is the series of pinball tournaments the bar hosts on the first and third Wednesdays of every month, in addition to air hockey tournaments on Mondays and skee-ball tournaments on Thursdays. Boxcar’s wealth of tournaments allows for some friendly competition, giving guests the opportunity to show off their vast gaming skills.
Perhaps the beauty of Boxcar is that it acts as a casual, stress-free way to spend time with family and friends. When first walking into the arcade, guests are greeted by a room full of pinball machines lining the entrance before walking up a few stairs into the bar — a popular attraction among Boxcar-goers.
Carter noted his favorite games are the pinball machines, specifically the Star Wars pinball game that has become a Boxcar must-try.
According to the metric system of Boxcar which counts the coins of every game at the end of the night, the Jurassic Park game proves to be a popular choice among gamers. James Dingamin, a visitor from Washington, D.C, talked of his experience at Boxcar, proving that the arcade is a popular spot for people from all over.
“My favorite was the Star Wars pinball machine,” Dingamin said. “I have just played four games.”
Guests can venture into the outdoor patio, which is equipped with warmers for the winter and home to refreshing cool breezes in the spring. The music sweeps through the many conversations held over beers and playful trash talking. Bar stools and tables stand ready for those with aching feet from the intense action of crushing the competition.
Stretching from Dance Dance Revolution — where customers can break it down to popular tracks — to zombie games, Boxcar has something for everyone, even bringing back old games like Street Fighter and a modern version of Pac-Man. At Boxcar, everyone is welcome. From families to eager college students to visiting gamers, the venue is not just a bar — it’s an experience to remember.
