Don't make me lie to a kid fer cryin out loud

March 4, 2009 6:04 PM

Are there any arcades in NYC?

My daughter loves the video games in the lobbies of movie theaters and I promised to take her to an arcade. Um, are there any in NYC? I heard about Barcade but she is only five. One that had Pacman and one of those awful use-the-claw-to-grab-the-doll games would be perfect.

posted by shothotbot to sports, hobbies, & recreation (17 answers total)

Coney Island and Dave & Busters come to mind. I just looked up Funtime USA in Brooklyn to recommend it, but it seems to have closed.
posted by cmgonzalez at 6:21 PM on March 4, 2009

Oh, and there's Chinatown Fair, but I haven't been there personally. Don't know the atmosphere.
posted by cmgonzalez at 6:28 PM on March 4, 2009

There's one on Mott Street in Chinatown, but it's pretty grody and caters to the local kids so it mostly has Street Fighter machines.
posted by nicwolff at 6:33 PM on March 4, 2009

Dave & Busters, for sure. Not sure what's left down in Coney Island, and whatever is left would certainly be closed this time of year.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:33 PM on March 4, 2009 [1 favorite]

Yeah, that's the one I'm thinking of.
posted by nicwolff at 6:33 PM on March 4, 2009

Chinatown Fair is as authentic as you can get for a dingy dim-lit old fashioned video arcade in New York.

Everything takes quarters (no tokens), there's always some asian kids playing DDR, a few pinball machines, a long row of classic NeoGeo / PacMan games, and of course: a photo sticker maker.

I recommend filling up on cheap steamed buns at the corner of Mulberry & Worth St around the corner; there's a small hole in the wall place that sells buns, gyoza, and a few other cheapo dim sum items.
posted by wcfields at 6:33 PM on March 4, 2009

This site might be of service.
posted by otolith at 6:41 PM on March 4, 2009

I heard about Barcade but she is only five.

barcade's not sleazy or gross at all, so if they'll let her in during the day on the weekends you should bring her. but my favorite arcade is totally the mott street one! it's dingy but it's the real thing.
posted by lia at 6:47 PM on March 4, 2009

I'd think twice about going to Dave & Buster's. It's been awhile, but I don't recall it as being a place that would be very fun for a five-year-old. It struck me as catering more to the tween-and-up set -- lots of shooting games, fighting games, etc. Though it's possible they've expanded their selection of games since then.
posted by Rhaomi at 7:38 PM on March 4, 2009

Chuck E. Cheese pizza places are arcades. (And they're kid friendly.)
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 7:56 PM on March 4, 2009

If you're talking about Barcode in Times Square, I believe it closed about 2-3 years ago. If not, where's this "Barcade"?
posted by JimN2TAW at 9:22 PM on March 4, 2009

Also, LazerTag on 46th Street @ Times Square had an arcade, but closed a year or 2 ago.

I don't recall any violent overtones at Dave & Buster's on 42nd Street. For adults, it's noisy and busy, but a kid of 5 should be OK as long as you shepherd her around. Maybe drop in and take a look in advance. And I recommend their Diet Coke.
posted by JimN2TAW at 9:26 PM on March 4, 2009

If you're talking about Barcode in Times Square, I believe it closed about 2-3 years ago. If not, where's this "Barcade"?

barcade's in williamsburg at union between ainslie and powers, right off the lorimer stop of the L. if you like old school games and you haven't been, you're doing yourself a disservice.
posted by lia at 10:09 PM on March 4, 2009

ESPN Zone in Times square. They have a ton of games in there.
posted by Flood at 5:38 AM on March 5, 2009

+1 Chuck E Cheeze.
posted by Muffy at 12:32 PM on March 5, 2009

Seconding ESPN Zone. Food too.
posted by JimN2TAW at 12:50 PM on March 8, 2009

We went to the one in chinatown as it sounded more youth-revisty and we could combine it with excellent dim sum around the corner at Oriental Garden. Thanks for all the ideas.
posted by shothotbot at 7:31 PM on March 8, 2009