Barcade

BarcadeBarcade
BarcadeBarcade
Bar, Eatery

1114 Frankford Ave
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19125-4118
United States

(215) 634-4400 | map
barcadephiladelphia.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.03
Reviews:
19
Ratings:
46
pDev:
9.18%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by KVNBGRY:
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Reviewed by KVNBGRY from Florida

4.18/5  rDev +3.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25
Well... I got the high score on Michael Jackson... Anyway, the beer selection was solid. The game selection was good, a lot of fun old school games. The place is insanely busy, though since people are generally drunk, they're not quite as good at the games, so the turnover rate is fair. The bartenders were short, and to the point. It was busy, so I accept that.
May 15, 2016
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.86 by TheBeerdedCharmer from Pennsylvania

Feb 07, 2018
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Reviewed by BeerForMuscle from New Jersey

3.76/5  rDev -6.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
Beer and arcade games. Not much more to say. The beer selection is decent, almost all craft brews, with plenty of local stuff. Arcade games are good too, with all the classics you would expect. Nice night away from the typical bar scene.
Nov 11, 2017
 
Rated: 4.58 by andrewerrico from New York

Sep 19, 2017
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Reviewed by Rifugium from North Dakota

4/5  rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
Wow, I seriously can't believe I never rated Barcade. This is my go-to spot in Fishtown. This place is really just made for 80s kids like myself...how can you not like a arcade bar? It's a large warehouse space with a somewhat grungy vibe, a good sized bar greets you when you first walk in. Walk in a little further, and all the classic arcade games are there: everything from Tetris to X-Men, and even one of my obscure Atari favorites, Crystal Castles! And to make things even better, each arcade station is equipped with a little stand on the side to hold your beer. Necessities. Service is fine, but can get spotty/sparse when the crowd picks up. Beer selection is usually very good. Local stuff and craft beer staples, with events often bringing in some rarities. I think they even had Chocolate Rain on tap once. The food is basic and the menu is small. Basically tacos and a few sandwich options. But the prices are pretty good, and I think they even have a dollar taco day.

So yeah, if this is your thing, then Barcade definitely has some staying & revisiting power. I'm more of a laid-back hang-at-the-bar kind of guy when I go out, but I just totally revert to my 80s self when I'm in this place. Which I guess is why I still get carded here. hehe
Aug 03, 2017
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Reviewed by jp11801 from Florida

3.9/5  rDev -3.2%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75
Not as good as it's Brooklyn NY counterpart but still worth a visit if you have just left Kraftwork. Same dingy decor as the NY spot and a good spot if you are buzzed and want to play video games. Beer selection was just ok on my visit with nothing really interesting except for the Smuttylab that was on. The crowd on a saturday is less beer lover and more day drinker out for a good time, nothing wrong with that just a bit loud. Service was quick and as friendly.
Jan 29, 2017
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Reviewed by SunDevilBeer from Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev -3.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.75
Cool warehouse with bar at front and vintage video games throughout. Hipsters galore, but I expected it in this gentrified neighborhood - lots of flannel, ski caps, black plastic glasses.

Good selections of local/regional beers and some from afar. Was happy hour so beers were $1 off what were already reasonably priced beers. $1 tacos were pretty tasty and a great value.

Played some NBA Jam, had a few beers and tacos. Good for a one-time visit for about an hour, but the novelty wears off quick with these vintage game bars.
Oct 12, 2016
 
Rated: 4.24 by sbeaver_44 from Pennsylvania

Jul 31, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by JohneHoodlum from Pennsylvania

Jun 20, 2016
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Reviewed by nickfl from Florida

4.08/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.25
This is a fun concept that is becoming more and more common, and in this case it is executed quite well. There is a fairly large selection of classic and campy video games and a very solid selection of beers. The only complaint is that atmosphere and service suffer from the large crowd, but that's just the nature of the place. Definitely fun and worth going, especially if you have never been someplace like this, just try not to make it a Friday or Saturday night.
May 10, 2016
 
Rated: 3.95 by metter98 from New York

Apr 24, 2016
 
Rated: 3.9 by dbrauneis from North Carolina

Apr 24, 2016
 
Rated: 4.03 by tmac from New Hampshire

Feb 21, 2016
Photo of razorsdescent
Reviewed by razorsdescent from Pennsylvania

4.44/5  rDev +10.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5 | food: 3
Barcade is always a good time, always! The people are chill and the surroundings are impeccable. The negatives are mediocre food, and a long wait time if you run dry during heavy traffic. Don't ever change Barcade.
Dec 08, 2015
 
Rated: 3.53 by beerded_drunk from Pennsylvania

Aug 02, 2015
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

4.2/5  rDev +4.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
an ode to retro gaming and craft beer. Half the space dedicated to old arcade games, half a heavy wood bar. Hefty tap list, lots of top notch beers offered. Some pub grub and light fare also available.
Jun 09, 2015
 
Rated: 3.89 by mltobin from Connecticut

Jun 05, 2015
 
Rated: 4.08 by baybum from Pennsylvania

Mar 17, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by stephenjmoore from Maryland

Sep 30, 2014
 
Rated: 3.12 by wilmerkatie from Pennsylvania

Aug 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by kneary13 from Massachusetts

Aug 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by bylerteck from Canada (ON)

Aug 12, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by MaltLickyWithTheCandy from Maryland

Aug 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Vogt52 from Maryland

Aug 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by DrBier from Pennsylvania

Jul 11, 2014
 
Rated: 2.5 by cdaguanno from Pennsylvania

Jun 18, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by soulcougher from Pennsylvania

Jun 03, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by acurtis from New Jersey

Jun 01, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by IdrinkGas from Pennsylvania

May 25, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by baconfromwalmart from Pennsylvania

Apr 10, 2014
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Reviewed by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania

3.79/5  rDev -6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.25
---- A little re-reviewing of Barcade----

Now that I live in Philadelphia, I stop by Barcade often enough to like it. I go during the week and it is never crowded. In fact, it is almost always incredibly empty when I visit. The tap list usually has something interesting/rare, and I like chilling there for a bit.

I was there for their 3rd Anniversary Party and the beer lineup was absolutely insane.

Bartenders have that hipster attitude, but whatever, fuck them.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The wife and I left Johnny Brenda’s earlier than expected and heading back to the car, I spotted a big “BARCADE” sign. We had had enough beers and bar visits on us that day but, hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.

I had recently visited and reviewed Barcade Brooklyn and loved the space and how chill and empty it was. It was hipster but quiet. The Philadelphia version was, at least on a Saturday night, a totally different story. It was so immensely packed we could barely move around. Lucky for me I made my way to the bar (which is right across from the main entrance) and managed to order two beers, a Wookey Jack for the wife and a Sixpoint Bolshoi for me. 13 dollars for both, not too bad. The menu is written on chalkboard and straddles a good amount of wall space so forget about reading it all on a packed night.

I didn’t see any of the arcade games that made Barcade famous… but let me tell you, we hung outside at a cobblestoned patio by the entrance and it was rather lovely. The bouncer was pissed, folks were pissed in the British sense and the clientele struck me as douchey.
Mar 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by InspectorBob from New Jersey

Feb 26, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Oosull23

Feb 26, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by hoppymcgee from Maine

Feb 19, 2014
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Reviewed by jjboesen from Maryland

3.81/5  rDev -5.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
Following visits to Yards and Kraftworks, respectively, I finished the day with a trip to this recent addition to the Fishtown scene. Located a few steps south of the Frankford/Girard intersection, Barcade is situated in a well-worn brick structure that was probably a warehouse - or something industrial. Today it is a dimly lit venue with a long bar extending from the entrance to the rear, where there is plenty of space for drinking, eating, socializing and, yes, playing the arcade games lining the rear wall. It was rather crowded and difficult to move about ....

Perusing the chalkboard above the bar, you immediately notice that Barcade offers 25 well selected, oft-rotating drafts, which included: Duck Rabbit Imperial Stout, Victory Fall Bockwards, Founders Backwoods Bastard and something called Gorilla Warfare. Service was okay with the bartender rather lax on the all-important Water Test. Note: Bring your ID.

Food was tasty, but served in small portions. This was fine as the Cuban Breakfast Sandwich I had at Kraftwork (See Reveiw) was still warming my belly. As noted above, Barcade can be included in your Fishtown crawl with the above-mentioned places - along with Frankford Hall, a German biergarten, and Fette Sau, both of which are a few blocks north of Girard. Barcade was a decent place. It is accessible to SEPTA via the Trolley and Bus.
Jan 28, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by TheFightfan1 from Pennsylvania

Jan 23, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by oglmcdgl from Pennsylvania

Jan 07, 2014
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Reviewed by Slatetank from Pennsylvania

4.14/5  rDev +2.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4 | food: 4
We headed into Philly for a show and decided to get some lunch and a beer or 3 in a nearby establishment. I looked up a multitude of tap lists and locations and decided I just wanted somewhere within walking distance so ended up at Barcade.

The place is comfortable and was easy to find with a long bar and a patio area/bike parking for smokers. The simplicity is what I like -a couple arcade videogames in the bar area and they have spirits/wine for those who don't like beer. The food was served quick and it was delicious a beer and sandwich with chips and a pickle for 10 bucks-pretty reasonable. I ordered the Turkey special with goat cheese and roasted peppers and my wife got a cuban both panini style. Overall we had fun and I was able to try or 5 quality beers I haven't had before so I left happy.
Dec 23, 2013
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Reviewed by mactrail from Washington

3.88/5  rDev -3.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.75
Great variety of regional beers. Several from Sixpoint, Victory, Bavarian, Dock St., Manyunk, Round guys, Roy Pitz, sly Fox, Troegs, and Weyerbacher. I counted 24 taps plus cask (Victory Ranch R IPA).

Big roomy L-shaped place. The end with the bar towards the street is quieter with no speakers. This is truly a neighborhood experience, assuming your neighborhood is slowly coming back from being depopulated and bombed out. But it's close to the elevated train station and not actually as scary as three-fourths of old Philly.

A little patch of dirt by the side entry for smoking and another smoke-free zone by the graffitied truck trailer. This is the new post-industrial landscape. Barcade is the vanguard, surrounded by boarded-up factory buildings.

About 40 arcade video games are the main attraction, plus music from First Wave to trash thrash. NIcely arranged bar area with an assortment of surplus institutional chairs. Decor is partly cleaned brick with woodwork distressed by the industrial past. Food ranges from pickled hop shoots to orange-thyme tofu sandwich. Overall, a memorable joint and it's on my list next trip to Philadelphia.

[Notes transcribed from 28 May 2012 visit]
Oct 20, 2013
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Reviewed by ColForbinBC from New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
A brick, warehouse looking building from the outside. Not a whole lot to look at. Once you enter, a good sized bar greets you. Off to the right the room opens up, and you find copious amounts of arcade games lining the walls. Centrally located are some picnic tables. The setup is similar to the other locations, but this has a smarter, cleaner feel to it.

The inside is all brick with very high ceilings giving it a warehouse feel. The games contain all of the usual suspects and the tap list is always legit. This is a great place to check out periodically for something different than your typical beer bar.
Aug 21, 2013
Barcade in Philadelphia, PA
Place rating: 4.03 out of 5 with 46 ratings