Spare Time Vernon operates in the Vernon, CT area of north-central Connecticut, within the broader Hartford region. The venue is part of the Spare Time Entertainment chain and runs as a full-scale family entertainment center where arcade play sits alongside bowling lanes, laser tag, and an on-site kitchen.
The complex functions less like a standalone video arcade and more like a multi-activity hub, which makes it a frequent pick for families combining several entertainment options under one roof. For anyone scanning a Connecticut arcade directory, Spare Time Vernon is one of the larger venues in the region and pairs easily with other Hartford-area stops.
The greater Hartford area carries a deep roster of family entertainment options, and Spare Time Vernon is a recognizable anchor on the map. Visitors exploring similar venues can browse the arcade finder or open the interactive arcade map to compare nearby options.
At a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | Vernon, CT |
| Phone | +1 860-875-2583 |
| Hours | Sun–Thu 10AM–11PM; Fri–Sat 10AM–12AM |
| Rating | 4.5 out of 5 from 1,700 Google reviews |
| Best For | Families, birthday parties, corporate gatherings, school outings, casual drop-in play |
What Players Say
Spare Time Vernon earns consistently strong praise for its attentive, personable staff and smooth private event experiences, making it a popular choice for birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and school outings. Visitors describe the team as “friendly, professional, and attentive from start to finish” — Google review — and one parent called their hosted kids party “by far the easiest kids party we have ever hosted” — Google review. Atmosphere and cleanliness also draw positive notes, with guests remarking that “Everything is super clean!” — Google review.
That said, the food and arcade machine condition are recurring mixed signals worth weighing. On the food side, one visitor reported that “we paid $16 for what ended up being a reheated frozen pizza” — Google review, a sentiment echoed by others who feel pricing is high relative to quality — “Prices are still too for average working families” — Google review. On the machines, one guest noted that the venue “could use some new machines as many have seen better days” — Google review. The family-friendly atmosphere remains a clear strength, with visitors highlighting kid-friendly touches like automatic bumpers on the lanes: “bumpers go up by person automatically so I haven’t been to a bowling alley lately or that’s pretty cool” — Google review. Activities overall earn strong marks — “bowling is hi-tech and interactive, there is something to do for everyone” — Google review.
Parking is generally a non-issue — “Plenty of parking” — Google review — though at least one visitor raised a safety concern, warning that “someone is stealing cars in their parking lot!!!” — Google review. Casual drop-in visitors are generally advised to call ahead to confirm lane and food availability, while those planning a larger event can expect a more streamlined experience.
Games & Machines
As a family entertainment center arcade, Spare Time Vernon offers a video arcade floor alongside the broader mix of bowling and laser tag. Visitor feedback describes the machine lineup as varied but aging in places, with some cabinets reportedly out of order at any given time. Without a verified current games list, prospective visitors should treat the arcade as a complementary attraction to the venue’s bowling and laser tag rather than a destination built solely around rare or new pinball and video cabinets.
Visiting
Spare Time Vernon is located in Vernon, CT, reachable by phone at +1 860-875-2583 for hours, lane availability, and event bookings. Operating hours run 10AM to 11PM Sunday through Thursday and 10AM to 12AM on Friday and Saturday evenings. The official venue page at http://www.sparetimeentertainment.com/vernon/ lists current specials and event packages.
Food and drink are available on-site, though reviews are mixed on menu quality and pricing — visitors planning to eat in may want to ask about current menu options before settling on a venue. The space is widely used for birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and school outings, and reviewers consistently describe private event coordination as smooth and well-staffed. Parking on-site is reported as ample, with one isolated car-theft complaint noted among the reviews.
For travelers weighing other options in the Hartford area, the Spare Time Windsor Locks location offers a similar multi-activity setup further north, while Dave & Buster’s Manchester is a strong alternative for guests prioritizing a larger arcade floor combined with full dining. Venue operators who want to update this listing can use the claim your listing page.