Entry No. 199 — the Denver file — filed under: arcade-play

Akihabara Arcade and Bar

Akihabara is built around imported Japanese 'candy cabinets' you almost never see stateside, leaning into fighters, shmups, rhythm games, and racing titles, with many cabinet menus still in Japanese. There's a full bar with craft beer and mixed drinks alongside console setups, so it plays more like a slice of an Akihabara game center than a typical American barcade. It opened in 2016 and stays open late into the early morning.

The move: Pick a two-player fighter or co-op shmup on one of the imported candy cabinets and run a best-of-five while trading sips of a Japanese-leaning beer.

📍 Before you go Located in Westminster, roughly 20-25 min from central Denver; 21+ focus and opens in the afternoon.

📍 Westminster
💸 $
⚡ Big night
🌗 Indoors

Where: 8901 Harlan St, Westminster, CO 80031

Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.

#arcade-play #japanese-cabinets #barcade #fighting-games #late-night #import-arcade

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-23