Paul Kushner
New York City, a metropolis renowned for its bustling streets and never-ending energy, also boasts a thriving nightlife scene. Beyond the glitz and glamour of its high-end bars and trendy lounges, there’s a hidden gem in the city’s entertainment landscape — bars with games. These venues provide a unique, interactive twist to your typical night out on the town, offering a haven for those who relish the joy of friendly competition while enjoying their favorite libations. In this article, we embark on a journey through the vibrant streets of NYC to uncover the very best bars where you can engage in everything from nostalgic arcade games and board games to thrilling shuffleboard matches and even life-sized Jenga battles. Get ready to combine your love for great drinks with the excitement of gaming, as we unveil the ultimate guide to the Best Bars With Games in NYC.
The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club
514 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
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Shuffleboard is perhaps the most iconic bar game. At the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club, you can play this classic game on any of the club’s 14 shuffleboards in a fun and social setting. There is a big bar and occasionally live music.
Barcade
Multiple Locations
(718) 302-6464
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Barcade has multiple locations throughout NYC and combines a bar and your classic arcade. With an extensive beer list, you can enjoy a cold brew while playing retro video games like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong.
Union Hall
702 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 638-4400
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You can enjoy music and drinks at Union Hall while playing board games or pool. This bar has a unique decor that makes it seem like a library. You can play bocce ball outside or enjoy live music in the basement.
The Gutter Bar LIC
10-22 46th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101
(929) 328-0409
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If you want something a bit more classic, try out Gutter Bar LIC. This old-school bowling alley has an epic barroom serving craft beer and hot dogs. In addition to bowling, you can also play pinball and billiards.
Kick Axe Throwing BROOKLYN
622 Degraw St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
(833) 542-5293
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Looking to try something new? Check out Kick Axe Throwing in Brooklyn. This bar has a large facility where you can throw axes at targets, perfecting your aim and release. Don’t worry; safety is prioritized here, and if you have never tried throwing an axe before, the staff can help you protect your form.
The Uncommons
230 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012
(646) 543-9215
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For a unique and relaxed gaming experience, check out the Uncommons. This bar features classic board games that anyone can play. All while enjoying a menu that features sandwiches made with seasonal ingredients and other light eats. The bar has a great selection of cocktails as well.
Nowadays
56-06 Cooper Ave, Queens, NY 11385
(347) 523-8535
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Located in the middle of Queens, Nowadays is a great option to check out bars with games in NYC. This modern space has an outdoor area with a wooden pool, bars, and a large grill. Have a drink while playing ping pong or board games inside. Giant Jenga is also a great time to attract a crowd.
SPIN New York 23
48 E 23rd St, New York, NY 10010
(212) 982-8802
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For a more modern experience, check out SPIN New York 23. This bar features a bright and vibrant setting, with many neon colors and bars at each table. The best part is that you can play ping pong while enjoying a drink and food from one of the bars. There are 19 ping-pong courts, and some patrons take it quite seriously.
Nancy Whiskey Pub
1 Lispenard St, New York, NY 10013
(212) 226-9943
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Nancy Whiskey Pub has everything you need for a classic night out. This bar has great music and classic Irish food while serving drinks like Guinness and Irish coffee. Nancy Whiskey Pub is a great place to enjoy games like darts, pool, and chess while visiting NYC. You can also play your favorite jams on the jukebox.
Break Bar
458 9th Ave, New York, NY 10018
(212) 933-0929
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Break Bar has a unique take on bar games, making it one of the best bars with games in NYC. You can enter the throwing range at Break Bar, where you can smash glasses and other electronic items. It combines a break room and a bar, a match made in heaven.
Full Circle Bar
318 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(347) 725-4588
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Suppose you’re looking for a chill and relaxed place to play games, head over to Full Circle Bar in Brooklyn. This bar features a wide selection of local beers and Prosecco on tap. The highlight of the bar is Skee-Ball. This classic arcade game gets much more challenging after you have had a beer or two.
Ace Bar
531 E 5th St, New York, NY 10009
(212) 979-8476
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For an authentic dive bar experience, check out Ace Bar. This no-frills bar has everything you could want from a great game spot, including darts, skeeball, and pinball tables, plus a wide selection of drinks. You can also listen to live music while challenging your friends to get a new high score.
Five Iron Golf
Multiple Locations
(315) 613-4653
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If you want to add a little competition to your night out, check out Five Iron Golf. This place features an 18-hole indoor mini golf course with two bars and a variety of drink specials. Challenge your friends to get the lowest score, or have a relaxing night out with a few games.
Baby Grand
29 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011
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Instead of traditional bar games, Baby Grand focuses on Karaoke. This upscale venue is excellent for enjoying a night out in NYC. It features a great selection of cocktails and live music performances that will liven up any night out.
Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 963-3369
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In addition to games, Brooklyn Bowl is an excellent place for live music and bowling. This massive venue has an extensive food menu and bars with a wide selection of beers and cocktails. You can enjoy the music while challenging your friends to a friendly bowling game or dance the night away.
Floyd, NY
131 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 858-5810
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If you’re looking for bars with games in a more boutique setting, head over to Floyd. This Brooklyn bar features live music, DJs every night, and a wide selection of local brews and wines. You can challenge your friends to a game of Bocce Ball or sit back and enjoy the music.
Bar Great Harry
280 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
(347) 457-5650
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If you are in Brooklyn, check out Bar Great Harry. This bar features a wide selection of craft beers and wines, tasty bar snacks, and live music. You can play games like shuffleboard and pinball or hang out in the lounge to catch up with friends.
Boobie Trap
308 Bleecker St, Brooklyn, NY 11237
(347) 240-9105
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Boobie Trap is one of the best-named bars in NYC and also one of the most fun. This quirky bar features pinball, video games, and a retro vibe. At the Boobie Trap, you can challenge your friends to a game of Skee-Ball or enjoy the vibes.
FREEHOLD
45 S 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
(718) 388-7591
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If bars with games and live music are what you’re looking for, head to Freehold. This Brooklyn venue features a wide selection of local beers and craft cocktails. You can also play ping pong or a variety of arcade games. Freehold is a favorite spot for people who are working from home.
Why should you trust us?
We use our own local experience and contacts in the city to know which places to include in our lists. We also researched the web and read 5 reputable blogs and websites, including theinfatuation.com, 6sqft.com, timeout.com, buzzfeed.com, and theworldandthensome.com. So that you can be sure you’re receiving the best of the best. We compiled all the results in one spot and ranked them according to how frequently they were referenced.
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