Barcade, the beloved arcade bar known for its nostalgic game selection and craft beer offerings, is closing its doors in Jersey City on June 15th. The closure marks the end of an era, reflecting on the unique cultural moment Barcade embodied in the early 2010s, when millennials sought refuge in a world of 80s and 90s arcade games and craft beer.
announced last week that June 15 will be the last day for its walls of ‘80s and ‘90s arcade cabinets and pinball machines, citing the end of its lease. It’s also the end of an era, specifically a buzzing early-2010s mystique — which Gen-Z would now call “cringe” — that Barcade so uniquely encapsulated. The bar’s 2011 opening came at the outset of America’s great nostalgia cash-in, monetizing millennials’ longing to stay young — or at least ignore the recession outside its glass doors.
Hey, what’s a few more tokens pumped into “The Simpsons” game when you’re already $80,000 deep in student loan debt? Amid the flashes and plinks of “Burger Time” and “Dig Dug,” men in hipster-folk cosplay dripped suds from their mustaches, pining after women wrapped in infinity scarves and peplum tops. Chalkboards were scrawled with twee and overcomplicated craft beer names — sip a “You Know Nothing Jon Snow New England IPA” while you wait for Pac-Man to open up. It was Wes Anderson meets “New Girl,” irony becoming the right now, swimming in a soundtrack of Arcade Fire and Animal Collective.The first Barcade opened, perhaps unsurprisingly, in Brooklyn in 2004, before locations came to Newark (already closed), Philadelphia, Manhattan, Connecticut, Detroit and Los Angeles. Though I didn’t become a regular until 2014, when I moved to Jersey City. At the time, I didn’t know much about the city, or its nightlife and dining scene. I didn’t know many people who lived there. But I knew there was a Barcade, it’s yellow neon lights a sort of downtown beacon. Also, Williamsburg had a Barcade. If Jersey City had one, it had to be cool, right? If all else failed and I didn’t fall in love with the city, I knew I could spend my hours getting after some “Tapper” and “Crazy Taxi” high scores, and pounding craft beers I couldn’t find anywhere else in town. I knew that friends from other parts of the state would come visit me in Jersey City, drawn in by the allure of sentimentality and “NBA Jam.” And so that’s just what I did — like many North Jersey bar-goers of a certain age, I spent more time at Barcade than I care to admit, wearing my own plaid shirts and sweaters, talking to girls about sour beers and Ratatat.Amy Kuperinsky | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com I soon learned that arcade bars are actually very anti-social. You’re always going off to play a different game than your friends, inevitably waiting on a long line to play “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” I also realized that my wallet (and stomach) couldn’t handle drinking all those pricey, high-ABV craft beers. I pivoted to less gimmicky spots like Lucky 7 Tavern, and later Pet Shop (still my favorite).Say what you will about the man-child subculture it helped cultivate, or how there are better bars in town. Barcade was, for a while at least, a destination and its arrival was indeed a watershed moment for the city, helping it ascend to its current status as one of New Jersey’s most vibrant dining and nightlife hubs. Does Pet Shop even exist if Barcade never came? Barcade also took the leap across the Hudson long before it was common for New York businesses to open Hudson County outposts — this bar proved it could be done. And we’re all better off for it. So if you catch me at Barcade on a Wednesday when my buddy is behind the bar, your first round is on me. If you can beat me in a game of “Tapper.
Barcade Jersey City Arcade Closing Nostalgia Craft Beer 80S 90S Entertainment Millennial Culture
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jersey City Salutes Closing Establishments: Barcade and Fox & Crow Bid FarewellTwo beloved Jersey City establishments, Barcade and Fox & Crow, are closing their doors this summer, leaving behind a legacy of entertainment and community.
Read more »
Jersey City Mourns Loss of Print Newspapers as Star-Ledger and Jersey Journal VanishThe Star-Ledger and The Jersey Journal, long-standing newspapers serving New Jersey, are ceasing print publication, leaving Jersey City without local printed news. The closures underscore the challenges facing local newspapers nationwide as readership declines and print costs soar.
Read more »
New York City Fan Fest Plans Scrapped, Jersey City to Host All 104 World Cup GamesPlans for a fan fest in New York City's Corona Park have been canceled, but festivities in Central Park are still possible. A fan fest at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, will be open for all 104 World Cup games. The New York/New Jersey host committee has also announced Tammy Murphy as chair and Alex Lasry as CEO.
Read more »
Winter Storm Shuts Down Jersey Shore, Schools CloseA winter storm is bringing heavy snowfall to the Jersey Shore, prompting school closures and travel advisories. The storm has blanketed the area with several inches of snow, turning the typically bustling boardwalk into a winter wonderland. Residents are urged to stay home if possible.
Read more »
Jersey City Mayor Proposes 'Reverse Congestion Pricing' TollIn response to New York City's new congestion pricing policy, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop suggests implementing a toll on vehicles entering New Jersey from Manhattan. Fulop believes this 'reverse congestion pricing' could generate revenue for New Jersey Transit and address the state's transportation challenges.
Read more »
Yuan: A New Contender in Jersey City's Chinese Food SceneA review of Yuan, a new Chinese restaurant in Jersey City's Newport neighborhood, exploring its menu, ambiance, and comparison to its acclaimed sibling, Peppercorn Station.
Read more »