Lena CaldwellArcades in Charlotte are a big part of people’s nightlife. That’s why they usually come with bars and after-hours events to keep the fun going.
To add to the fun, each spot has its own gimmicks to keep visitors coming. Some are pure nostalgia, while others lean more into something quirky and unique.
Keep scrolling and maybe you’ll find the perfect place that can match your energy.
1. Super Abari Game Bar
Media credit: Super Abari Game Bar
Website: https://superabarigamebar.com/
Address: 1015 Seigle Ave
Phone: +17042711252
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday 5:00 pm – 2:00 am
- Saturday to Sunday 12:00 pm – 2:00 am
Super Abari is what I would call the epitome of a classic Charlotte nightlife: A bar, a cozy lounge area, and a gaming hub with a great game lineup of over 30 arcade games and 20 pinball machines.
Most of the games are vintage-style, like Star Wars, Labyrinth, and River Wild, and they cost as little as 50 cents to play. If you’re an old-school gamer, there’s even a setup with a couch and retro gaming systems like Tetris.
The bar section is no slouch either. They offer craft beers, creative cocktails, energy drinks, and more.
One important thing you need to know is that this is a 21+ establishment, but the place is open to all ages on Saturdays and Sundays.
Pro tip:
If you’re into challenges, Super Abari occasionally holds tournaments with cool prizes. Watch out via their social media pages.
2. 16-Bit Bar + Arcade
Media credit: 16-Bit Bar + Arcade
Website: http://www.16-bitbar.com/charlotte
Address: 307 W Tremont Ave
Phone: +19805567746
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday 4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
- Thursday 4:00 pm – 12:30 am
- Friday to Sunday 12:00 pm – 2:30 am
16-Bit Bar + Arcade positions itself as a place where you can be a kid again, but with adult beverages this time. With over 30 different vintage games, you’ll lose a couple of hours easily.
All arcade games and gaming consoles are free, except for the pinball and foosball.
For the bar menu, they offer various cocktails, beers, shots, and non-alcoholic drinks. You can also bring your own food from outside.
Every night has a special theme. For example, duckpin is free after 8 PM every Monday. Kids also get free bowling and soda every Sunday from 12 PM to 5 PM.
Pro tip:
You can get 50% off draft beers and $5 off specialty cocktails during the happy hour, which runs daily from 4 – 7 PM. The same discount is offered all day on Wednesdays.
3. Frankie’s Arcade
Media credit: Frankie’s
Website: https://frankies.com/charlotte/
Address: 10621 Bryton Corporate Center Dr, Huntersville
Phone: +17048757888
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Friday 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Saturday 11:00 am – 12:30 am
- Sunday 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
If we talk about size, Frankie’s is a massive outdoor and indoor fun park stretching roughly around 20 acres. The place is packed with amusement rides, bumper cars, VR games, and a resto bar.
The arcade floor, in particular, has almost 100 games and 9 VR games waiting for you. You can find the latest games here and ones that’ll challenge your accuracy and reflexes.
The fact that you’ll never run out of options means you’ll never get bored — you might even want to go back to try the other games you haven’t played yet!
The tickets you win from the games can be redeemed for awesome prizes.
Pro tip:
Visit Weekday afternoons for lighter crowds and more game time.
4. Pins Mechanical Co.
Media credit: Pins Mechanical Co.
Website: https://www.pinsbar.com/locations/charlotte
Address: 307 W Tremont Ave
Phone: +19805567746
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday 4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
- Thursday 4:00 pm – 12:30 am
- Friday and Saturday 12:00 pm – 2:30 am
- Sunday 12:00 pm – 12:30 am
Pins Mechanical Co. is a cool retro playground that’s perfect for family bonding or friend groups looking to have a good time.
On the arcade corner, they’ve gathered the classic games that many ’90s kids used to love, like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. There are other zones as well, like duckpin bowling and vintage pinball.
The place is family-friendly by day (minors are welcome with adult supervision until 9 PM), dog-friendly, and has great drinks at the bar. Plus, you can bring your own snacks.
After 9 PM, the place shifts and becomes more energetic and buzzing. Food trucks even line up nearby, so you’ll have no problems looking for dinner options afterwards.
Pro tip:
The place is 100% cashless and only accepts cards or digital payments.
5. District 57
Media credit: District 57
Website: http://district57.com/
Address: 1526 Alleghany St B
Phone: +19802074400
Operating hours:
- Sunday and Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Friday and Saturday 1:00 pm – 11:30 pm
District 57 is an entertainment district that offers a more immersive experience with its post-apocalyptic-themed adventure games — perfect for families, gamers, and tourists.
You’ll also find challenging games like laser tag and escape rooms that are usually played in groups.
And if you ever get hungry, you don’t have to go far or even go out to refuel because you can order pizzas and other finger snacks right at the bar. Not to mention, a good selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Pro tip:
For awesome perks and discounts, take advantage of their weekly events. For example, you can spin the wheel at the front desk every Wednesday for a chance to win a special prize.
6. Dave & Buster’s
Media credit: Dave and Buster’s
Website: https://www.daveandbusters.com/us/en/about/locations/pineville
Address: 11049 Carolina Pl Pkwy LS05, Pineville
Phone: +17049691600
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday 11:00 am – 12:00 am
- Friday 11:00 am – 1:00 am
- Saturday 10:00 am – 1:00 am
- Sunday 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Dave and Buster’s is not your typical arcade zone; it’s an entertainment hub full of challenge and entertainment.
They have over 100 arcades ranging from classics like Pac-Man to new favorites like NBA and VR setups. The variety is more than enough to keep the energy going without any downtime, except when you’re deciding what to play next.
It’s even better if you get the eat & play combo. Starting at $19.99 per person, you’ll get an arcade power card and your choice of their chef-crafted entrée.
The best thing about Dave and Buster’s is that they’re big on promos and discounts. Just like their Wednesday special, where you can enjoy all games all day for half the price.
Pro tip:
If you plan to be a regular guest here, we suggest getting their season pass. You’ll get unlimited gameplay the whole season, discounts on food and drinks, and free tickets.
7. Victory Lane Indoor Karting
Media credit: Victory Lane Karting
Website: http://www.victorylanekarting.com/
Address: 2330 Tipton Dr
Phone: +17043739740
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Friday 11:00 am – 12:00 am
- Sunday 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Victory Lane may be known for their indoor racing karts, but they also have an arcade zone where you can be the kid that you are and play fun games. It’s their newest addition, offering both the latest and classic games that many know of.
They also have many more fun games to offer, including escape rooms, axe-throwing, Krazy Darts, and more.
For the food part, unlike other places that only offer snacks and drinks, Victory Lane has their own restaurant inside, serving American classics, craft beers, cocktails, and more.
Pro tip:
If you’re aiming for prizes, prioritize games that give consistent ticket payouts, like basketball shooters or coin pushers.
8. X-tra Ball Ice Cream & Pinball
Media credit: Chris Epperly
Website: http://x-traball.com/
Address: Spandex City, 8420 Bellhaven Blvd, Charlotte
Phone: +17049097168
Operating hours:
- Tuesday and Saturday 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- Wednesday to Friday 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Sunday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
If you’re a comic nerd who loves ice cream and pinball, then you’ll definitely love X-tra Ball. There are games, comic books, and hand-dipped ice cream with 24 flavors to choose from.
This is what you would probably call a vintage-style place with traditional pinball machines — no digital or computer-simulated games, just like in the old days.
To sum it all up, it’s a place where families and individuals of all ages can relax and have fun. No strict curfews or anything. For adults, it can bring a wave of nostalgia from when they were younger and enjoyed superheroes and games.
Pro tip:
If you’re going as a group, it would be ideal to book the 90-minute party package, where you can reserve the whole place, including the pinball machines!
9. Bowlero
Media credit: Bowlero
Website: https://www.bowlero.com/location/bowlero-charlotte/
Address: Queen City Quarter, 210 E Trade St.
Phone: +17047169300
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday 4:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Friday 4:00 pm – 2:00 am
- Saturday 12:00 pm – 2:00 am
- Sunday 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Although they’re popular for their bowling lanes, Bowlero is a full-blown entertainment hub with arcade games, good food, and refreshing drinks.
Their arcade zone is just as fun as their bowling: thrilling, fun, and offers some room for friendly competition. And when I tell you their arcade games are next level, I mean it, as there are tons of video games and old-school favorites.
The selection is wide, and it’ll probably take some time for you to decide which one to try first. Nevertheless, the only goal is to have fun and rack up serious tickets to get awesome prizes.
And if you want to take a break and wind down for a bit, the bar and the lounge area are ready for you.
Pro tip:
All arcade games are half price every Wednesday — all day!
10. Monster Mini Golf
Media credit: Monster Mini Golf Charlotte
Website: https://monsterminigolf.com/locations/us/nc/charlotte/
Address: McCullough Commons, 230 E W.T. Harris Blvd
Phone: +19802468896
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Friday and Saturday 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Sunday 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Monster Mini Golf is a lively and vibrant place where mini golf merges with indoor games such as arcade, VR, laser maze, and more. Inside, it feels like a glow-in-the-dark wonderland with neon lights surrounding the place.
And since it’s monster-themed, expect everything from decor and artworks to interactive elements to be monster-inspired.
While the quirky mini golf with monster-themed obstacles is the main attraction at this place, their “monstrous arcade” is also one of a kind.
It’s got a wide selection of classic, retro, and modern video games, including Skee Ball, Jurassic Park, SpongeBob SquarePants, and more.
After that, don’t forget to take a quick snap of their interactive displays and themed photo booths.
Pro tip:
Guests are encouraged to dress in black-light friendly clothing so they can be part of the glow-in-the-dark experience, too. These colors can be white or neon shades.
11. Activate Games
Media credit: Activate
Website: https://playactivate.com/charlotte
Address: Galleria Shopping Center, 1848 Galleria Blvd Suite L
Phone: +17044126464
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Friday and Saturday 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Sunday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Activate Games isn’t your typical arcade zone; it’s a high-energy and modern amusement center with games that take arcade-inspired games to a new level and are more lifelike.
They have 11 different game rooms, each with a unique theme and style of challenge. You can jump, climb, and problem solve with interactive mechanisms that react in real-time for every action.
Some rooms are more logic-focused and others are more agility or reaction-based. For example, the “Mega Grid” room has over 500 activated tiles that light up when you step on them, mimicking an obstacle course (or a dance pad!)
The best part is you can choose your difficulty level from 1 to 10!
When you arrive, you’ll get an electronic wristband that tracks your progress and points — it’s their version of player cards.
Pro tip:
Before you can proceed to the games, you need to create a player profile that keeps track of your progress. You can do this onsite, but it’s highly recommended to do it in advance to save time.
12. Spare Time Entertainment
Media credit: Sparetime
Website: http://www.sparetimeentertainment.com/pineville
Address: 9600 Pineville-Matthews Rd, Pineville, NC
Phone: +17049002562
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Friday 11:00 am – 12:00 am
- Saturday 10:00 am – 12:00 am
- Sunday 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Spare Time Entertainment offers everything you need for prime entertainment: arcade games, food and drinks, and large event spaces.
The arcade area, or the “Game Zone,” is the centerpiece with 70+ games from classics to the latest releases. And not only that, there are other more challenging games as well, such as escape rooms and laser tag.
They also have their own restaurant and offer thoughtfully handcrafted dishes that are perfect for sharing — they even offer a 28-inch Goliath pizza!
Sparetime is family-friendly and open for people of all ages, which is why it’s a perfect spot if you’re looking for a fun hangout idea with friends or family.
Pro tip:
If you register your kids for the “kids bowl free” program, they’ll receive two free games of bowling per day. Parents can also get in on the action by purchasing a family pass.
