Boxcar is a gamer’s paradise where vintage pinball and arcade games share space with interactive racing games, Dance Dance Revolution, air hockey and more. The sprawling bar, outdoor space and on-site pizza kitchen keep the non-gamers entertained while kids and adults play to their heart’s content. Folks under 21 are welcome with a parent before 8 p.m. on weekdays and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and dogs are welcome.
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Hours:
Monday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM Tuesday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM Thursday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM Friday: 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM Saturday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM Sunday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
I’ve been here several times, and the vibe is always super fun. I recommend paying in cash because the card machines tend to glitch. The pizza is good, so I’d recommend that. The drinks, not so much when I ordered an Old Fashioned, the bartender didn’t know what it had, and it didn’t taste good. The beer, however, is great!
Keep in mind that while there’s no time limit for using the games, other people are waiting, so it’s best to rotate and share. The outdoor area is awesome, and despite the cold weather, the heating works perfectly. There’s also free parking nearby!
Robert Cox
Oct 22, 2024
5
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Boxcar Arcade in Durham, North Carolina, is the perfect spot if you're looking for a fun and unique place to hang out. This place has an amazing atmosphere—super cool, laid-back, and full of energy. It’s easy to see why it’s such a popular hangout. Whether you're coming to play games or just to relax with friends, there's something for everyone.
The best part is the huge selection of games. From classic arcade games to pinball machines, you’ll never run out of options. Whether you’re feeling nostalgic for the old-school games or trying something new, it’s a blast to move around and play everything. The variety makes it easy to spend hours here and not get bored.
On top of that, the space itself is really well-designed. It's got that retro vibe while still feeling modern and inviting. Whether you're grabbing a drink, playing games, or just soaking in the atmosphere, Boxcar has a great vibe that makes it a must-visit in Durham. If you're looking for a fun night out, this is definitely the place to go. Highly recommend for both locals and visitors alike!
Melissa De Yoe (Meli55a)
Oct 8, 2024
5
I loved this spot. The pickle pizza was amazing as was the mushroom truffle. $5 dollar drafts on Mondays? Yes, please! I like that they have different things going on each night of the week - I may have to go back to the singles night events on Thursdays. What a great place/way to meet someone. They had a ton of games, though I'd say some of their older games could use some servicing (sticky buttons or wouldn't take our coins). I had a blast. I'll be back for sure.
Vidi Vini Vici
Sep 20, 2024
5
Coolest spot I've been to, great food and drinks, plus arcade games? Can't beat it. And Tyler was an awesome person, helped with our pizza order!
Lucy Barber
Aug 25, 2024
5
We hosted an after party here during our wedding weekend, and it was an absolute blast! We reserved their event space, which is super spacious and easily accommodated our ~100 guests. The private bar was a great touch, and the event crew did an awesome job communicating with us to allocate our budget across the bar, food, and tokens.
Boxcar also catered the event, providing pizzas and platters that were perfect for our guests to enjoy while gaming. It was the ideal spot to unwind after a more formal rehearsal dinner, and we loved being able to show off one of our favorite fun spots in Durham to our out-of-town guests.
If you're looking for a fun and casual venue to host an event, I highly recommend Boxcar. Their prices are reasonable, and they go out of their way to make sure everything runs smoothly and stays within your budget. They also allow outside catering (as long as it doesn't conflict with their own kitchen), which gives you even more flexibility.
We'll definitely be reserving this space again for future parties and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a similar, laid-back vibe!
Keith Saroka
Jul 31, 2024
5
Great atmosphere. Loads of new pinball machines. Older video games. Friendly folks. Lots of room inside and outside to hang out.
Joshua Lamon
Jul 29, 2024
5
The vibes of this place were amazing. Great game selection and every staff member we encountered were very nice. Great prices on drinks.
John Andrews
May 18, 2024
4
Amazing selection of pinball machines, lots of Stern Games (my favorite) and the energy was great. Racing games, classic games and more. We didn’t eat but the pizza looked amazing!
Robert Dixey
Jan 14, 2024
5
This place is a great addition to the things to do in the area. It's extremely laid back but busy at the same time. Usually, arcade games cost more than they should because of prizes that are generally not worth anything. This place seems to put more into the entertainment value. $5 got me enough to casually play 5 games without feeling like I got ripped off or wasted my money. I will go back again when i am in the area.
