Boxcar Bar + Arcade

“Very nice space, atmosphere, food, and customer service.”

Dain Vossar (Galaxy Wanderer)★★★★★

The Force is strong here — but a wise Jedi always knows the rules before entering the arena. Boxcar Bar + Arcade delivers a high-energy mix of classic arcade nostalgia, pinball, pizza, and drinks that immediately pulls you back to your Padawan days. The glow of the machines, the familiar sounds of flippers and joysticks, and the lively crowd create an atmosphere that’s fun without feeling chaotic. One key thing to know going in: everything is tokens only. A few games run 1–2 tokens, but most of the popular arcade games and pinball machines cost 4 tokens per play. The machines still show “4 q

D Nickelson★★★★

Great bartenders. Very knowledgeable and service is quick and friendly. Always a fun place to hang out, get a drink, and play games to feel like a kid again. They have both classic and new games so there's something for everyone. Great for individuals and groups. The food was a miss tonight. Pizza and dips were fair, not as good as in the past.

Noelia Bautista★★★★★

I’ve been here several times, and the vibe is always super fun. I recommend paying in cash because the card machines tend to glitch. The pizza is good, so I’d recommend that. The drinks, not so much when I ordered an Old Fashioned, the bartender didn’t know what it had, and it didn’t taste good. The beer, however, is great! Keep in mind that while there’s no time limit for using the games, other people are waiting, so it’s best to rotate and share. The outdoor area is awesome, and despite the cold weather, the heating works perfectly. There’s also free parking nearby!

Lizbeth Vera★

Absolutely disappointing experience, especially because since we moved here three years ago, this has been our favorite bar in Durham. My sister who was visiting out of town is 20 and I am 26, and we went there because the website says underage guests can enter with a guardian. Based on that wording, we reasonably understood that an older responsible family member could accompany someone underage. Instead, we were denied entry at the door. When we tried to explain our situation, the person at the front door was dismissive, unhelpful, and showed no understanding of the circumstance. He told u