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
We had a wonderful experience hosting our wedding welcome party at Boxcar! Ripley was super professional throughout the planning process: quick to reply to emails and questions, transparent about booking and options, always polite and friendly. The private room was perfect for our party, and the games were such a hit with the kids (and adults!). Everything was managed well: food came out throughout the night, pizza was delicious, bar was well-staffed, and tokens were quickly replenished when we needed. Everyone had a great time, and it really helped kick off the weekend on the right note! We'd highly recommend Boxcar for an event!
Miranda Pejera
Mar 16, 2025
5
I went out on a date night and we ended up here. It was my first time visiting and the experience was very good. I love the idea of a place like this. I enjoyed the music, games, and the drinks were delicious.
Misty R
Feb 24, 2025
4
First time going Saturday night. It was an amazing place mix of classic arcade games and arcade food with a grown up feel. The menus have me so wanting to go back and try more things soon.
Ms. Tyler was on register when ordering my pizza and her interactions were amazing. Her vibe made the experience from order to eat amazing. She went way above on customer service and I appreciated it a lot. A+ customer service bar and pizza side.
We got the 2 pair pizza and pasta combo and it turned out to be really cool in a new modern way that I wasn’t expecting. Got the hot honey sauce on cheese, and for one who don’t like spicy at all it was good.
Kelly Mercier, Ph.D
Feb 8, 2025
5
Kelly with Offline - Saturday night and the place was hopping! It was fun to see families and friends hanging out in a welcoming, low key environment. Compared to the Raleigh location, this is much easier to get a beverage and food. The service was great-quick and easy ordering of drinks and pizza. And the pizza was legit. We had a spinach artichoke with chicken that was tasty. I will come back!
Shelby Boeshans Peck
Feb 4, 2025
5
Food and drinks (+mocktails) available. Loads of games, good place to visit with friends.
Jazmine Vanderpool
Jan 19, 2025
5
I’ve been to the Boxcar locations in Greensboro and Raleigh, but the Durham spot might just be my favorite! The addition of pizza— which is absolutely amazing— is a major highlight, and the outdoor area with fire pits adds such a great touch. The space feels more open and inviting. Great vibes all around!
Noelia Bautista
Dec 20, 2024
5
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!
