The 1up Arcade Bar – Colfax is a Denver institution that has grown into one of the most celebrated barcades in Colorado. Situated along the busy Colfax corridor, the venue blends a full bar atmosphere with an enormous lineup of arcade cabinets and pinball machines, drawing an enthusiastic mix of retro gaming fans and casual night-out crowds.
Operating as a hybrid barcade, the location caters to visitors who want classic gaming alongside craft drinks and late-night energy. Its place in Denver places it within a thriving regional arcade scene that includes several other gaming destinations worth exploring across the metro, including the sister Colfax location and complementary venues such as Immersive Gamebox – 9+CO Denver.
At a Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | Denver, CO |
| Phone | +1 303-779-6444 |
| Hours | Mon–Thu 3 PM–2 AM; Fri 3 PM–2 AM; Sat–Sun 11 AM–2 AM |
| Rating | 4.6 out of 5 from 2,800 reviews |
| Best For | Barcade nights, retro cabinet play, pinball fans, happy hour crowds |
What Players Say
The 1up Arcade Bar on Colfax is widely celebrated as one of Denver’s premier barcades, boasting an enormous and well-maintained collection of classic arcade cabinets, pinball machines, and skee ball, all playable at modest per-credit prices. Drinks are affordably priced with strong happy hour and Sunday all-day specials, and the retro atmosphere draws an enthusiastic, nostalgic crowd. The general consensus across the reviews skews strongly positive, though a handful of recurring concerns temper the enthusiasm.
Reviewers consistently praise the game selection and variety, with one Google review noting that “whoever is responsible for game selection deserves a raise.” The pinball machine collection draws particular admiration — a Google reviewer observed “nearly 50 pinball machines which looked like they had all been cleaned and shopped that morning.” Drink prices and happy hour deals earn regular shout-outs; a Google review highlighted “all-day specials on Sundays. The drinks are well-priced.” The atmosphere itself is often singled out, with one Google review describing “Just the right amount of griminess for a boozy Colfax arcade.”
Staff service draws largely warm feedback, with one Google reviewer writing, “every staff member we interacted with was super friendly, helpful, and clearly passionate about creating a fun vibe.” Still, some visitors have reported friction with security enforcement — a Google reviewer described being confronted by guards, writing, “Having four male security guards ‘escort’ us out for getting upset at this policy is gross to say the least.” Crowds on weekends are widely viewed as overwhelming, and a Google review advised, “would recommend coming during the weekdays as weekends tend to be blown out.” Parking is another recurring pain point, with one Google review flatly stating, “Parking is also either impossible or expensive.” Food options are limited, with a Google reviewer noting “no food for non-drinkers which was a shame for me.”
A separate note on machine condition is worth flagging: a Google reviewer noted “some games need attention (in particular Moonwalker’s P2 and 3 sides were unplayable and some ate tokens,” suggesting that while the lineup is broad, not every cabinet is in top working order at all times.
Games & Machines
As a barcade, The 1up Arcade Bar – Colfax centers its floor on classic upright arcade cabinets alongside a substantial rotation of pinball machines, supported by skee ball lanes and other barcade staples. Visitors should expect a deep, retro-oriented lineup rather than modern console setups, with the bulk of the floor devoted to nostalgic titles and electro-mechanical pinball. The exact machine count and current title rotation are not documented in our directory data, so for the latest cabinet and pinball availability, the venue’s official website is the best source.
Visiting
Located in Denver, CO, The 1up Arcade Bar – Colfax is reachable by phone at +1 303-779-6444 and serves as a popular Colfax-corridor nightspot. Standard hours run 3 PM to 2 AM Monday through Friday and 11 AM to 2 AM on weekends, with Sunday in particular noted in reviews for its all-day drink specials. The barcade runs primarily on drinks rather than food service, which non-drinking visitors should plan around.
Weekday visits tend to be calmer than weekend nights, and parking in the area is widely reported as difficult or expensive. Visitors can browse the broader Denver arcade scene through the arcade finder directory or explore the interactive arcade map to compare nearby options. Venue operators can update listing details through the listing claim page.