Denver’s Colfax Avenue has long been a corridor of character, and The 1up Arcade Bar – Colfax sits right in the thick of it. Equal parts neighborhood dive bar and classic game museum, the venue has earned a reputation among locals as one of the most dependable barcades in the metro area. Visitors stepping in for the first time are usually greeted by the unmistakable soundtrack of pinball flippers and arcade cabinets competing for attention.
The Colfax location is a flagship of a small Colorado barcade brand, and the focus stays firmly on playable history rather than gimmicks. With a strong overall rating across thousands of Google reviews, the bar has built its name on a straightforward formula: lots of working games, fair per-play pricing, and a bar program that holds its own.
At a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | 717 E Colfax Ave, Denver, Colorado |
| Phone | +1 303-779-6444 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 3 PM – 2 AM; Sat–Sun 11 AM – 2 AM |
| Rating | 4.6 out of 5 from 2,800 Google reviews |
| Best For | Barcade fans, pinball collectors, and retro arcade enthusiasts |
What Players Say
Across more than two thousand Google reviews, The 1up Arcade Bar – Colfax earns consistent praise for its standout game selection, the depth of its pinball lineup, and the surprisingly reasonable per-play pricing. The prevailing consensus is that of a deep, well-maintained retro collection at affordable prices, paired with a full bar and a lively atmosphere that works for both casual players and serious pinballers.
The cabinet selection is the headline draw. Forty-two reviewers highlighted the game variety, with one Google reviewer writing that “whoever is responsible for game selection deserves a raise.” Pinball is the other star attraction — thirty-five mentions, including a visitor who observed “nearly 50 pinball machines which looked like they had all been cleaned and shopped that morning.” Maintenance earns its own applause, with one Google review noting that “machines are consistently functional/no tokens lost.”
The atmosphere is widely described as hitting a specific sweet spot — a Google reviewer put it well: “Just the right amount of griminess for a boozy Colfax arcade.” Drinks and pricing get positive marks across twenty-two mentions, with Sunday all-day specials called out specifically. Staff are generally described as friendly and knowledgeable — a Google reviewer shared that “every staff member we interacted with was super friendly, helpful, and clearly passionate,” though a small number of visitors have reported less consistent interactions at the door.
That said, the experience is not without friction. Weekend crowds come up repeatedly, and one Google review recommends “coming during the weekdays as weekends tend to be blown out.” Food is a known weak spot — a Google reviewer offered a candid assessment: “Lots of games and a fun atmosphere. Bar pizza ain’t great so just go to slice works across the street.” Several visitors also flagged concerns about entry and security policies, with one Google review noting frustration at being “escorted” out by multiple guards over a policy dispute. Parking is another recurring pain point, with one Google reviewer summing it up as “either impossible or expensive.”
Games & Machines
As a barcade, The 1up Arcade Bar – Colfax centers its floor on coin-op and card-op play. Reviewer commentary points to a deep bench of classic arcade cabinets alongside a heavy pinball presence, all kept in working order. Specific game lists aren’t published in the public record we have on file, but the venue’s identity as a classic-focused barcade means visitors can reasonably expect a roster weighted toward retro titles rather than modern ticket-redemption games. Anyone hunting for a specific cabinet is best off checking the venue’s own site or social channels before making the trip.
Visiting
The bar sits at 717 E Colfax Ave on Denver’s well-known Colfax corridor, a stretch that also serves as a spine for live music venues, restaurants, and a handful of neighboring arcades. For those planning a barcade crawl, the arcade finder is a useful starting point, and the interactive arcade map helps orient visitors to nearby options like F1 Arcade Denver, FTW Denver, Claw Den, Immersive Gamebox – 9+CO Denver, and Kettle Arcade.
Hours run 3 PM to 2 AM Monday through Friday and 11 AM to 2 AM on weekends, giving both after-work crowds and daytime pinballers a window to play. Weekday visits are the easiest call for anyone wanting to avoid the weekend rush, and the all-day Sunday specials are worth timing a trip around. As for food, plan on light bar bites rather than a full meal — many regulars grab a slice next door or eat beforehand. The phone line is staffed at +1 303-779-6444, and the venue’s official site is the best source for current specials and any private-event booking details.
Operators who run a barcade like this and want to keep the public record accurate can claim the listing to update hours, games, and contact details.