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
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.
Heather Scott
Jan 1, 2024
5
Great atmosphere. Spacious indoor and outdoor areas, arcade games, corn hole & ping-pong. Outdoor areas are heated and have large firepits also.
Doren Tripp
Dec 31, 2023
5
Let me start by saying I am not a fan of bar atmospheres and I rarely drink so my review is coming from someone who went it thinking it’s a cool idea for a bar and expecting the photos from online to come to life… and then I was blown away and thoroughly enjoyed my night here with my wife.
The arcade was quite extensive and had wonderful vintage machines and nostalgic games that were super fun.
Actually great prices too.
On average a game is $0.50 to $1 per game.
My wife had a great drink and I had a non alcoholic beverage that was very fruity and tasted like a juice you’d get at the checkout line at WholeFoods. Not something to write home about but a dependable drink that didn’t leave me disappointed but also was just a good drink.
Where my wife and I saw Boxcar shine was the pizza.
After playing the games for a while and getting drinks we finally gave in to the amazing smells coming from the kitchen.
We went in trusting the staff’s inspiration and recommendation on what to get… and they recommended the Pickle Pizza.
Sooooooo good! Not only was the dough great, a wonderful sauce, but my wife and I are now craving pickles on every pizza we get now.
It had a twinge of sour but the creaminess of the sauce and the light dough made every bite compliment it’s self. The complexity of each bite didn’t feel like a middle school pizza made on a dare but an actual artistic and well thought out expression of flavor.
The staff we all super attentive and although there was a large crowd everything was fast from the drinks to the fresh bake of the pizza.
So go for the pizza, stay for the games, and leave impressed by the quality and care throughout your whole experience.
Jennifer Nein
Dec 28, 2023
5
This is a great spot for some arcade fun for young and old! Old school arcade games and newer games make this a perfect combination of fun. My favorite thing was the thoughtfulness behind the ladies bathroom - a spot for your drink so you don't have to leave it unaccompanied and info about the halo shot.
Jake Neurer
Dec 24, 2023
5
Fun place to get silly late night after dinner. -- they do also serve pizza & pretzels if you're hungry. Craft beers and mixed drinks at a somewhat steep price but that's kinda expected. They had a pretty awesome patio with fire pits and granite top ping pong tables (free) which ended up being the highlight of my night.
Not a bad place to have a laugh while in Durham.
