Entry No. 34 — the Phoenix file — filed under: late-night

Cobra Arcade Bar

Arizona's first arcade bar packs 200-plus original 1980s–90s cabinets — Galaga, Donkey Kong, Mortal Kombat II, Killer Instinct — into a 21-plus room that stays open until 2am, so the strange late-night crowd is half nostalgia, half insomnia.

The move: Arrive after 10pm when the after-dinner crowd thins out, pick a two-player cabinet to duel on, and let the loser buy the next round of quarters and drinks — it's a genuinely offbeat way to close out a night downtown instead of another rooftop bar.

• 📍 Downtown Phoenix
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 801 N 2nd St #100, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Official site · Yelp

last checked: 2026-07-19