Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Raleigh

We visited the Boxcar Bar + Arcade in Raleigh as a bit of nostalgia and to expose our kids to the culture of our youth. While we didn't drink as children, we did spend a lot of time at the arcade playing classic coin-operated entertainment cabinets.

Boxcar Bar + Arcade

My son was naturally attracted to the origins of Mario. They had the ultimate origin, Donkey Kong, which he enjoyed. We also played Mario Bros. which is not as easy as I remember it. 

Donkey Kong!

I got my son and daughter to play one of my favorites from my arcade days, Rampage. In it, players are big movie monsters (like Godzilla and King Kong, though not named so) who destroy buildings, smash up cars, and eat anything moving. The game is cartoony enough that it isn't as anti-social as it sounds.

Rampage

Playing at being monsters

In the back are more classical games like skee ball which we all tried.

Brothers working together

We had an epic game of foosball pitting daddy and toddler versus the older children. The fight was tough, especially when the toddler decided to throw in all the balls at once.

Foosball

Sibling non-rivalry

"What could make this more interesting?!?"

"Uh...why are their two balls?"

Yikes!

The toddler also discovered a home favorite available at the arcade.

MarioKart--Whee!

We ended the visit with some air hockey on a very smooth and fast table. We had a lot of fun slamming the puck around.

Son ready for action

Daughter ready to strike back

Game in action

I did take advantage of the bar part of the experience and tasted the lovely Trophy Milky Way (salted caramel sweet stout), which indeed has a smooth, caramel flavor that drinks so sweet. I loved it. Too bad it isn't available in bottles or cans. I've looked!

When we got back to the hotel, the kids returned to their home screens with renewed vigor, if not energy.

Relaxing in the hotel