Boxcar Bar + Arcade operates as a barcade in Durham, North Carolina, blending the bar experience with arcade gaming. The format caters to adults who want to socialize over drinks while working through a lineup of cabinets and pinball machines. The information below comes directly from the venue’s directory record, so visitors should confirm the latest details with the bar before heading out.
Located in Durham, NC, the venue fits within a city that hosts a range of independent entertainment options and a busy nightlife calendar. Boxcar Bar + Arcade slots into that mix as a hybrid stop where guests can transition from a casual drink to a competitive session at the cabinets. The barcade’s seven-day operating schedule, with daytime openings on weekends and late-night closings on Friday and Saturday, makes it accessible across a wide range of visit windows.
Durham’s wider gaming community also includes several nearby arcade venues listed in the directory. Browse the full set of arcades in the area, jump straight to the interactive arcade map, or check out a neighboring venue such as Frankie’s of Raleigh for a different take on the format.
At a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | Durham, NC |
| Phone | +1 984-377-2791 |
| Hours | Sun 12PM–12AM; Mon–Tue 5PM–12AM; Wed–Thu 5PM–1AM; Fri 4PM–1AM; Sat 12PM–1AM |
| Rating | 4.5 out of 5 from 2,100 Google reviews |
| Best For | Adults looking for a barcade format that combines drinking and arcade gaming |
The Scene
Boxcar Bar + Arcade holds a 4.5 out of 5 rating across 2,100 Google reviews, a volume of feedback that places it firmly among Durham’s most-reviewed nightlife destinations. A strong rating paired with a high review count tends to signal a venue that has settled into a consistent routine — patrons return often enough to keep the scoreboard climbing steadily over time. The combination gives newcomers reasonable confidence that the barcade delivers on its core promise without major fluctuations in quality.
Without a formal review synthesis on file for this listing, the editorial picture comes down to the basics: a barcade running on a seven-day schedule that opens as early as noon on weekends and stays open past midnight most nights. Anyone curious about the room layout, drink menu, or current cabinet selection should consult the venue’s own site or stop by in person. Operators wanting to update these details can claim the listing through the directory.
Games & Machines
As a barcade, Boxcar Bar + Arcade is built around the format’s defining mix of bar service and playable arcade machines. The directory record does not include a published game list, so the venue’s own website at https://theboxcarbar.com/durham/ is the best source for the current cabinet and pinball lineup. Expect the barcade basics — classic and contemporary cabinets alongside drink service — without specific titles confirmed here.
Visiting
The address on file is listed simply as Durham, NC, so visitors should confirm the exact street location via the venue’s website or by phone at +1 984-377-2791. The room opens at noon on weekends, which makes Saturday and Sunday the easiest days to drop in for a daytime session, while the weekday 5PM open suits an after-work visit. Wednesdays and Thursdays are the latest nights to start mid-week, both running until 1AM, and Friday and Saturday nights extend to the same closing time.
The barcade format typically implies an adult-oriented policy, so visitors should confirm age requirements directly with the venue before bringing younger players. Food service, private-event booking, and any specific age-related policies are not listed in the directory record, so contact the bar to confirm. The venue’s official site at https://theboxcarbar.com/durham/ should carry the most current answers.
For a broader picture of the local scene, the arcade map shows the surrounding Durham venues on an interactive layout, and the arcade finder lets visitors filter by city, state, and venue type. Durham’s barcade and pinball rooms — including neighbors such as Frankie’s of Raleigh — make the city a useful stop on any North Carolina gaming tour.