Arcadium Bar

Matt, the bartender, was so much fun and inviting. I’d never been to the bar before and was new to the area. I asked him what he liked and most bartenders hate this but I genuinely wanted to try something new and he was very nice about it. He made me an awesome drink and it was delicious. He then made me a second drink that wasn’t on the menu. Will definitely be going back, if nothing else, for Matt’s outstanding service.

I had high expectations for a night out at Arcadium Bar, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a disappointing experience. The atmosphere seemed promising at first, but the service really fell flat. What truly ruined our evening was the treatment we received from the bartender, Joe. My date and I, both people of color, felt discriminated against during our time there. Joe was noticeably dismissive and unfriendly, and it was hard to shake the feeling that our presence was not welcomed. We watched as other patrons received attentive service, while we were left waiting far longer than necessary. Eventually he asked us to leave because according to Joe "it's his right" to deny service to us without any logical reason. It’s disheartening to see such behavior in a place that should be about inclusivity and good vibes. I won’t be returning to Arcadium Bar, and I hope they take a serious look at how their staff treats all customers. No one should have to experience discrimination while simply trying to enjoy a night out.

Good beer list. Fast and friendly bar tender. Good place to sit after ordering food from Favor next door. I had the spicy pickle beer from Urban Artifact which was delicious, and spicy.

UPDATE August 2023: THEY QUIT DOING THEM! I popped in after a couple of months being busy over the weekend to get some Bloodys, and low and behold, they stopped doing them. I’m updating my review to knock a couple stars off because those were a “destination drink” if you will. The bartender is incredibly kind guy though. ORIGINAL REVIEW: Leaving 5 stars for absolutely the best loaded Bloody Mary skewers in town. Seriously, they only do them Sunday for some reason but they are worth the trip alone. Kudos!

We found this gem of a bar while in town for Lexcon 2018. It's a high-end punk bar with a large number of beers and spirits to choose from. They also have several arcade games to play while you drink, and a small enclosed patio off the back. If you're interested in the games, I suggest going when they're not packed (which might be difficult as it's a smaller place). All in all I loved this place, and am stoked I found it. All punk music all the time, insanely nice people (both patrons and staff), and insanely good beer. I'll be visiting again the next time I'm in town!

Absolutely one of the best bars in the Lexington area. Usually, it is not too crowded, yet the bartenders are always friendly and make you feel at home. The first time I came in, they were playing Bram Stoker's Dracula, and I knew that this place was it! Great atmosphere, great prices on drinks, plus the games are just an added bonus. I love that they serve food as well, just be aware that the food hours of operation are different than the bar and close earlier. All in all, it is a great place to unwhine without breaking the bank!

All the bartenders here are the best people you'll ever meet. I met my husband here 6 years ago and a lot of my current friends. All the drinks (wine, beer, cocktails, beef jerky) and all the video games and good music and clean bathrooms. Feels like family. They have my whole heart.

Great local bar with vintage video games. Great selection of beer and liquor. They have outdoor seating as well.

Matt, the bartender, was so much fun and inviting. I’d never been to the bar before and was new to the area. I asked him what he liked and most bartenders hate this but I genuinely wanted to try something new and he was very nice about it. He made me an awesome drink and it was delicious. He then made me a second drink that wasn’t on the menu. Will definitely be going back, if nothing else, for Matt’s outstanding service.

I had high expectations for a night out at Arcadium Bar, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a disappointing experience. The atmosphere seemed promising at first, but the service really fell flat. What truly ruined our evening was the treatment we received from the bartender, Joe. My date and I, both people of color, felt discriminated against during our time there. Joe was noticeably dismissive and unfriendly, and it was hard to shake the feeling that our presence was not welcomed. We watched as other patrons received attentive service, while we were left waiting far longer than necessary. Eventually he asked us to leave because according to Joe "it's his right" to deny service to us without any logical reason. It’s disheartening to see such behavior in a place that should be about inclusivity and good vibes. I won’t be returning to Arcadium Bar, and I hope they take a serious look at how their staff treats all customers. No one should have to experience discrimination while simply trying to enjoy a night out.

Good beer list. Fast and friendly bar tender. Good place to sit after ordering food from Favor next door. I had the spicy pickle beer from Urban Artifact which was delicious, and spicy.

UPDATE August 2023: THEY QUIT DOING THEM! I popped in after a couple of months being busy over the weekend to get some Bloodys, and low and behold, they stopped doing them. I’m updating my review to knock a couple stars off because those were a “destination drink” if you will. The bartender is incredibly kind guy though. ORIGINAL REVIEW: Leaving 5 stars for absolutely the best loaded Bloody Mary skewers in town. Seriously, they only do them Sunday for some reason but they are worth the trip alone. Kudos!

We found this gem of a bar while in town for Lexcon 2018. It's a high-end punk bar with a large number of beers and spirits to choose from. They also have several arcade games to play while you drink, and a small enclosed patio off the back. If you're interested in the games, I suggest going when they're not packed (which might be difficult as it's a smaller place). All in all I loved this place, and am stoked I found it. All punk music all the time, insanely nice people (both patrons and staff), and insanely good beer. I'll be visiting again the next time I'm in town!

Absolutely one of the best bars in the Lexington area. Usually, it is not too crowded, yet the bartenders are always friendly and make you feel at home. The first time I came in, they were playing Bram Stoker's Dracula, and I knew that this place was it! Great atmosphere, great prices on drinks, plus the games are just an added bonus. I love that they serve food as well, just be aware that the food hours of operation are different than the bar and close earlier. All in all, it is a great place to unwhine without breaking the bank!

All the bartenders here are the best people you'll ever meet. I met my husband here 6 years ago and a lot of my current friends. All the drinks (wine, beer, cocktails, beef jerky) and all the video games and good music and clean bathrooms. Feels like family. They have my whole heart.

Great local bar with vintage video games. Great selection of beer and liquor. They have outdoor seating as well.

Excellent service. I was looking for something chill on a Friday night with a good knowledge of a good selection of whiskey. Rarely find a place that I walk in and feel at ease, but this is that.

Back again to call out the fabulous cocktail program at Arcadium, now including mocktails! My favorite zero proof liqour is Ritual, and Arcadium is offering some amazing options using their products! The margarita was tart, sweet, and honestly better than a traditional margarita IMO. Always a call out to the amazing staff as well!

Great little bar for a date night or grabbing a drink with some friends. The inside is small so don't expect to bring your 15 closest friends and all find a spot by each other. Service was fast and friendly and the prices are fair. It looked like there was some outdoor seating for when it's nice and you can grab some food from Favor too. Cool spot.

Place has potential but bartender has a terrible personality. He warned us about a horror movie being played in an hour like he didn't want us to even sit down. Picture on website showed an amazing looking Bloody Mary which they don't do anymore so they need to update website . Dive bars need a good bartender to survive. If he only wants locals he should put that on the door. We would have stayed for more drinks but this guy was that bad.

5 stars for absolutely the best loaded Bloody Mary skewers in town. They only have them Sundays for some reason but worth the trip for those alone. Kudos to the team!

No complaints, minus the drink prices are a little steep compared to the pour/atmosphere. Certainly higher than what you'd typically expect from a dive bar, despite having 7-8 pickled options for their Bloody Marys. Still, they have several arcade games and a very quaint setting, plus a nice little patio, so it's definitely a spot you want to visit that's somewhat off the typical radar.

Cool little space in an up and coming part of Lexington. Have fun playing arcade games for .25 cents each and drinking on a tasty draft beer from their local/regional picks. They also have a nice back patio space for warmer weather and/or if you need a spot to smoke.

I absolutely loved the Bloody Mary bar here on Sundays! I had been looking forward to trying this place and the Bloody Mary's lived up to my expectations. It's fun to try out the old school arcade games as well.

Arcadium is a neat place...lots of fun old arcade games to play while you enjoy a drink with friends. They also make the Best Bloody Mary's in Lexington! They have an amazing Bloody Mary bar on Sundays, with so many toppings to choose from (I chose all of them and was not disappointed).

Total hipster spot. The place really needs more games though. It's a decent bar if you're looking for a change of pace but I wouldn't go there too often. It can get quite boring. Park on sixth street if you want to keep your ride from getting messed with.

Bring your quarters and your dog with you to this fun little spot. In the several visits I've made there have always been a good size crowd of cool patrons and the staff is nice too. Why bring quarters? The retro video games like TMNT and Ms Pac Man among almost a dozen other arcade games only take quarters (there is a change machine FYI). As an original old school arcade game aficionado (we're talking Pong here people) this is the arcade me and my friends dreamed about as no good meddlesome teenagers. Besides a great selection of craft beer they have a full bar and bloody Mary's you can almost make a meal out of...or poke your eye out as they use skewers loaded with your choice of munchies. Why bring the dog? I'm sure it's "unofficial" but like a lot of Lexington businesses, well behaved dogs seem to be welcome. In fact, my last visit began with the sweetest greeting from an adorable Chocolate lab. And any place that loves dogs is where I want to be! And if the video games aren't enough, their big screen TVs usually have a sporting event on. Cheers

Best toilet paper in town! When you walk in, you are guaranteed a gentle wipe in this bar. Definitely the best TP over any other bar in Lex. The cocktails are good too, I'd recommend a Last Word with Castle & Key Gin. Needless to say, you won't be disappointed with the beer, drinks, or toilet paper at Arcadium. The bartenders are also super rad. 10/10.

There are three things that I enjoyed at Arcadium. The environment, the video games, and the drink selection. The environment was very relaxed.There was not any dancing or loud music. So if you enjoy a place to hangout with friends and play games this is your spot. They have a good range of video games. My favorite retro game is the Mario Donkey Kong classic. I was impressed that this bar actually had that game. The drink selection was great. The drinks were reasonable. Overall, if you like video games and want to go to a chill environment this is the perfect bar for you!

Great little bar with friendly staff. Nice selection of draft beers and mixed drinks. Retro video games round out the fun. Great pricing helps too! Be sure and grab some food from their neighbor Favor and enjoy the patio!

Fun little place and the drinks are amazing! They have good craft beers and amazing cocktails, that look like they change everyday. Would recommend, however the games are 25 cents if you are ballin on a budget!

This place is a Bloody Mary Lovers Mecca. This little bar is located on North Limestone kind of across from Al's Bar. They get their name because they have added some old video games in every nook and cranny they have here. So cool to be able to have an adult beverage while playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Street Fighter. With that being said, bring your Quarters because you are going to need them. They have a few tables for seating but most people here just belly up at the bar. That is what my friends and I did. We came on a Sunday. I know this is a day they offer a Bloody Mary Bar. You get to pick all kinds of delicious toppings for your Mary's. You can pick anything from Salami, Olives, Onions, Beets, Pickles, Cheese, Baby Corn, Mushrooms, Etc. just to name a few options. Some items they put add to them, I have no clue what it is. Either way, they are so good. Every drink is like a little sip of Heaven. Just the right tang and the perfect amount of heat. It is just so good. These people have got their Bloody Mary's down pat. If you have a hunkering for a great Bloody Mary, stop in here and the barkeep can sure hook you up right. Arcadium also has a full stock bar and a lot of beers with many on tap. Their kegs are constantly rotating in and out so pay attention to the chalk boards to see what they are offering at that time. I really love this place. I will be stopping in again soon. Also a little tid bit of information...Arcadium is ranked as one of top 55 bourbon bars in the US from the Bourbon Review. How awsome is that? Now you have to see why.

When friends suggested a visit to Arcadium, I was excited. While I am not a big video game person, I do enjoy a round or two of arcade games - it brings me back! The bar itself is fairly small, but I enjoyed the vibe. There were a handful of games that weren't working, which was disappointing, and so that docked a star to start. I docked the second star because the service was way below what I would've expected, given there were 2 or 3 bartenders at any given time for a bar so small. It took at least five minutes to get anyone's attention, and then once we placed our drink order it took almost 10 minutes to get a beer and an old fashioned. My friend had even worse luck after she arrived after us, and was ignored for almost 15 minutes while the bartenders just chatted and together took shots at the far end of the bar. I really like what Arcadium is trying to do, but they have the opportunity to do it better. I'm willing to go back, but won't sign on to be a regular.

1980's arcade games (glitches still included). A great selection of beers. Great atmosphere, friendly staff. A hidden gem.

One of my favorite neighborhood bars. I wish the games were free. I'd spend more money on drinks. Not enough games and pretty cramp but as cool as it gets in town. If you're lucky there might be some free snacks but everyone here is pretty chill.

This is my favorite bar in Lexington. It's a great place to take people, because all thirsts can be satisfied. I'm more of a traditionalist when it comes to drinking (i.e. I'm boring and order a whiskey soda nine times out of ten). However, Arcadium also has an expansive tap list, a full range of liquor, and bartenders who know how to make a craft cocktail. The presentation of every drink is lovely, but not fruffy. You can always tell a bar takes itself seriously when it has like 30 different sizes and shapes of glasses. The interior has a long glossy wood bar and a few 4-person hightops. The lighting is dim and moody (but not to the point that I have to channel my inner old lady and pull out my cell phone flashlight to read the menu). There are about a dozen older arcade games as well (the namesake of the bar I assume). I only ever play Ms. Pac-Man, but other games include Mario Bros. and Tetris. All the games are in good condition and pretty cheap (a quarter for one-player and two quarters for two-player on the MPM). There are also two TVs mounted above the bar. Usually this would be a negative for me, but they play good stuff and take requests. Last time I was there, Inglourious Basterds was playing. Basically everyone at the bar ended up watching the last 30 minutes together... good fun! Every bartender I've interacted with has been really great -- attentive and knowledgeable without being hovery. They also have a private fenced patio! That you can smoke on! It's always been nice back there, but on my most recent visit I saw the new upgrades: two heat lamps, strings of light, and new stump benches. Super clean and cozy back there. Honestly I only hesitated on writing a great review, because I selfishly I don't want it to get too crowded there, but they deserve the 5 star buzz!

I enjoyed my first visit to arcadium a couple of weeks ago. It was a Monday night so not crowded which to me was nice. There were fewer games available to play than I anticipated but can't beat for a quarter with no real wait to play any of them. They had a few beers on tap I liked (not always the case) and reasonable as well and bartender was nice. I plan to return.

Cool spot. Amazing Bloody Mary's...not happy that all things skewered for Bloody Mary's done with bare hands.

"Um, watch your step, there's a dog in here" Actually, there were 2 good size dogs sprawled out in the very narrow, very hot, very crowded bar. One of the bartenders grabbed what looked like a beagle by the collar and led it outside before NOT WASHING HIS HANDS and making my Bloody Mary. He touched every single pickle, pepper, and olive that went into my drink as I watched with my mouth hanging open. I'm not a germaphobe by any means and I love dogs, but give me a break. *I decided to come back to this review and give an extra star because the Bloody Mary was choice. One of the best I've had in Lex... just not a big fan of dog-fingers in my drinks.

Well what can I say turns out it's a push not a pull door. I was wrong before. This place rules. Matt is a great bartender and so is Sean. I asked for an obscure cocktail and they had no problem making it. I've come here for years. My favorite watering hole.

Fantastic Bloody Mary bar on Sundays and an overall great vibe. My only complaint is that indoor seating is very limited and the outdoor seating is not covered (which can make for very hot summer evenings and/or wet, rainy nights).

Best bourbon bar around! The neighborhood is getting better and crowd is less hipster than before...however they did get rid of the only good bartender (Anne) they had...

This is definitely a locals place. The bartender and the customers seemed to all know each other well. There are only about 8 games, but they're only a quarter a play and have little tables for your drinks. I think the games may rotate, because there was a board of high scores including games that weren't in the bar at the time. It does have a bit of a "geekier than thou" vibe.

Arcade games and drinks. Straight forward. I can see how some people could be into it, but not for me

I used to complain about the fact that someone hadn't opened a barcade in Lexington. I even thought about taking out a business loan and trying my hand at it...but never got past the drawing board. One day, a friend and I were cruising down North Lime and saw some new signage hanging across from Al's. "Arcadium" it read. My jaw dropped. I felt just as elated as I was jealous. We rushed in and sat down for a drink and I immediately confessed to the owner (who was bartending) that he had beat me to the punch of opening Lex's first barcade. I applauded him and told him I had no idea the place had been here right under my nose. "Well, we just opened. Like just now" he said. We had a couple rounds, played a few games - then went on our way. We returned again and again, soon growing to adore the staff and venue. The bourbon selection was astounding, craft beer offerings were out of this world, and there always seemed to be a new arcade game every time I stopped in. I grew to love this little bar; the ambiance, the people, the times spent there. It's a very special place to me, although I moved and rarely go to bars these days. If you're looking to go to a bar where you can have good conversation, great drinks, and keep yourself busy trying to climb the scoreboards of Ms. Pac Man, you have to check this place out. Just be sure to put your hand over the change machine...its notorious for spitting quarters into the air vent just below it... Don't forget to try their Bloody Mary-it's a meal in itself! Pros: great atmosphere, varied clientele (although mostly millennials), wide selection of classic games, quality drinks, friendly staff Cons: small, very cramped when busy, never has any live music, sometimes too hip for its own good

The Arcadium is a great bar to hit up before heading to Al's Bar for a show or to catch up with a friend on a weekday to drink craft beer and play video games. It is usually very active and crowded on the weekends; and it's a fun place to meet people. The crowd is fairly varied, but definitely leans towards hipster (arcade and craft beer, right?) They have a great collection of arcade games. Galaga and Shinobi are my favorites, but they have a bunch more. See if you're up for getting your name on the high-scorer list posted on a giant chalk board elevated for all to see. You should keep in mind that if you're looking for a quiet place on a weekend night, the Arcadium is probably a bad idea. And the quiet-thing probably wont work out if Al's bar is having a good show, because they're very close to one another. Note that Al's has shows on any night of the week.

My first thought when I walked in this place had to do with missing my beard and not having worn flannel out that night. That being said this is a pretty solid bar with a good selection of small-brew beers and a great selection of bourbon. I did have the misfortune, when randomly choosing a bourbon to tie off the evening, to pick one that was somehow made in New York, but that's really on me. The place is small and a bit on the loud side; carrying on a conversation was difficult even if the person was on the stool next to you. Could do with a couple of more standing tables and some extra seating; the atmosphere is definitely cozy. The arcade machines are really the heart of this place. They keep running high scores on a chalkboard opposite the bar. I didn't see a great many people playing with them however. Service was friendly and efficient. The bartenders were knowledgeable about all of the beers and bourbons that I had questions about which is good enough for me. I would recommend this place as a corollary to Al's Bar across the street. Pop in for a good bourbon or some beer; maybe play some games with some friends. I enjoyed the place and will definitely be back.

Craft beer and 80s era arcade games? Perfect. I just wish it was located somewhere else. Pretty sure you can buy crack cocaine within 100 feet or so of this place located in the crack district of Lexington.

They have a ton of great coin-ops in the bar, as well as a lot of good beers on tap. I went on a Sunday afternoon and it was pretty full. I would say it was because of the NFL playoffs, but the crowd here is not necessarily your NFL playoff kind of clientele. I played a few rounds of TMNT and Tetris while I downed a few. There's also Double Dragon, but I can't remember any of the rest off the top of my head. If it was near enough my house to walk, I would probably be in there every day blowing through all of my money.

The best Bloody Mary ever! Loaded and spicy with tons of flavor. Cool vintage building with classic, creaky. old wood floors.

They only have about 12 games and a third of them don't work and a third of the rest are terrible. Once you get over your hipster self you can look around and realize the games that don't work and aren't occupied kind of suck. Also, it's a "nerd bar" yet they don't even share their WiFi password. Just like wookies on Endor, that does not make sense. The tap list is OK, but you can definitely do better in Lexington.

Great beer and awesome arcade games! I liked that they had grippos and mingue brothers beef jerky as well for a little snack. Their beers are constantly rotating and they offer some nice rich porters and stouts which I like and beer on the lighter side if that is more your speed. Some of the arcade games switch out to keep it fresh and they have the standards like Ms. PAC Man and Street Fighter 2. While the atmosphere is great and the beers delicious, the on thing that keeps this place from obtaining that last star is the bartenders. They spend more time on their phones than actually interacting with their patrons. They put off a vibe that they don't want to be there and don't care about the way the bar presents itself. All in all, this is a great place to go but don't count on great service.

Great neighborhood dive with a twist. I really enjoyed the Sunday Bloody Mary bar and just love the dog friendly atmosphere!

20 taps plus a cask. I don't care about the old school video games - though they are cool. This place has a great beer list. 3 Against the Grain beers on. 3 Dark Horse on. Schlafly. Country Boy. Evil Twin. I'll be back.

It is a very cool place for the arcade fans. They have some of the classic games like Street Fighter and Galaga. Plus they offer a good selection craft beers and bourbon. Plus the atmosphere is full of good spirits and not as aggressive as a bar full of frat boys.

This bar is one of the most unique places I have ever visited in Kentucky. some of the best beer and bourbon selection in town. If you like old arcade games it has good selections of that also. no other place like it in town. I also enjoy the unique music they have in the background. This place is hipster in all the good ways.

Great beer and bourbon selection and one of the few places I've found that will make me a White Russian not the best I've had but decent. The games are only 25 cents and they have little shelves thoughtfully placed for your drinks while you play. It's dog friendly but I'm no a huge fan of that since I'm not a dog person. The patio was small but nice.

I was there for what I think was opening night, so it was probably more crowded than normal, however I loved this place. AWESOME craft beer selection, great service, good location (short walk from downtown)... This place has a great feel, not to mention all the arcade games! I will definitely be back

This place is pretty awesome. It can get a bit crowded on weekends but the rest of the time that doesn't seem to be an issue. Staff is extremely friendly and fun to talk to. Great beer selection.

Awesome beer selection and huge bourbon selection. The arcade part has started to fall through somewhat but it's still one of the best bars in Lexington without a doubt.

Cool bar, nice selection of local beers on tap. Love all the old video games. Place fills up fast after 10. Outstanding service. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable.

We stayed in lexington about a week ago as we were traveling back north and took a cab to a few spots in town. We liked the bar it self. The bartender made the experience a good one. He gave us a list of the local beers on tap and talked with us about the ones we asked about. He even let us taste 4 different ones so we could make our decisions. He made us a white Russian that was mixed well also. The patio area outback was nice and had the large patio heaters. We drank a few glasses and played some of the old school arcade video games that we love.

Really liked this place, not too crazy or crowded. Just fun people, the best old video games and great beer selection. I love that the games are all only 25 cents like they were when I was a kid. No stupid points or tickets or credits or tokens. Just a good old quarter and off you go!

Nice place, went here after the Night Market, there was a Sri Lankan food truck the curry ribs were fantastic, craft beer was as you would expect, good if you have a favorite type. Gaming was ok, nothing special...

this is the best possible bar that could exist. lots of games, great beer and good music.