NOW EXPERIENCING:Palace Arcade
Drinks Directory|Bar|Takeaways|Date night

Palace Arcade

Thursday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
84 Beaufort Street, Perth, WA, 6000
Phone
(08) 9227 7439
Website
thepalacearcade.com.au
Instagram
@arcadepalace

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 03 Oct 2023

By
Max Veenhuyzen

Are you ready for a trip down memory lane? Vintage video games, New York-style pizza, great drinks including nostalgic cocktails and serious fun await at the West’s premier arcade bar.

West’s premier video-gaming bar
Why you goAre you ready, Player One? Are you ready to face off against a bar filled with original video games and pinball machines from the ’80s and ’90s? Are you ready to wiggle joysticks and hit fire buttons like your three lives depended on it? Are you ready to exercise restraint in the face of a menu packed with pizza, chicken wings and other sometimes-foods? (And that’s before we get to the well-stocked bar filled with cocktails, craft beers and other equally delicious drinks.) In other words, Player One, are you ready for Palace Arcade, the West’s premier video-gaming bar?
Why you stayBecause the high score on that Pac-Man machine is almost yours. And once you get it, you’ll be able to celebrate in all sorts of fun ways. While retro gaming beats at the heart of Palace Arcade – upbeat tunes plus a chorus of sound effects conjure that classic arcade atmosphere – its bar offering is very now and considered. This is no frat-party bar with drinks served in plastic red cups – the bottles of spirits behind the bar have been chosen (and arranged) with care, as have the game cartridges, posters and other gamer trappings that decorate the room. The menu is packed with things that you’ll want to share with friends. Easygoing service feels perfectly pitched for a space that’s equal parts video-game parlour, watering hole and family restaurant.
West’s premier video-gaming bar
drinks at palace arcade
What drink to orderA family restaurant, that is, with a thing for beer. Well-known West Australian breweries such as Feral and Boston feature prominently, both on tap and among the tinnies. The cocktails are garnished with no small amount of nostalgia. There’s a Cherry Ripe Espresso Martini that combines that classic drink with everyone’s favourite coconut and cherry chocolate bar, while the Apple Pie Sour sees dessert take liquid form. Most of the mixed drinks lean sweet and fruity, although the tequila-powered Red Dead resides at the more refreshing end of the spectrum. Hit up staff for recommendations about the spirits behind the bar; otherwise, a small assortment of on-trend, easy-to-like wines is also available.
What to pair it withPizza – or, more specifically, the thin-based, pliable New York-style pizza – anchors the Palace Arcade menu, with the good stuff sold in three sizes (choose from a 12-inch, 16-inch or colossal 22-inch base) as well as by the slice. For generations, revellers have paired pizza with beer, and who are we to mess with tradition? The rest of the food offering is built on American sports-bar favourites: think fried chicken wings, mac-and-cheese bites, and garlic bread. Just remember to clean your hands properly after eating before playing any of the games.
Why we love itWhat’s not to love about a bar filled with original golden-era video games and being old enough to play them to your heart’s content? All the big hits are present and accounted for, including Street Fighter II, Sega Rally and Mortal Kombat. The presence of cult classics such as Bubble Bobble and Golden Axe will delight hardcore gamers, while machines are regularly rotated.
food served at palace arcade
Regular’s tip

Apart from Saturdays, a value-packed special offer is available daily, from Super Sessions on Wednesday ($10 for unlimited games) to $10 Bloody Marys on Sundays and cheap slices and beer on Fridays. Drinkers also have three Palace Arcades to choose from. This, the original on Beaufort Street, is a two-storey den of classic gaming that’s all too easy to get lost in, while the Victoria Park outpost opens out onto Albany Highway, the neighbourhood’s bustling main street. Fremantle, the newest of the trio, is home to lots of space, a ski chalet-inspired private room, and a courtyard.

 

Ambience at palace arcade
Who to takeGamers, welcome to your new happy place. But even if you don’t think you’re into video games (you are, though), you’ll be hard-pressed not to enjoy yourself. While the triple threat of fun activity, high-quality drinks and tasty things to eat makes Palace Arcade perfect for dates, the bar is equally at home entertaining groups and families (don’t even think about tackling one of those big pizzas on your own – they’re unquestionably a team effort). It’s set for whenever you and your pals are ready for a trip down memory lane.
Authour image
Max VeenhuyzenMax Veenhuyzen is a Perth food, drink and travel journalist who contributes to key Australian publications.
Tags
Drinks DirectoryCasual catch-upSpecialty BarDate nightGood for groupsBrilliant beer listOutdoor areaTakeawaysWheelchair accessibleA+ spirits listPerthBarAfter work drinksMeal and a bevFamily affair
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