New downtown barcade is a real Game Changer

The thing I love about Denton is there is a spot for just about everybody. Want some high-class cocktails? Try Paschall Bar or Barley & Board. Looking for craft beer? You have your pick of the litter in the downtown area (East Side, Oak Street Drafthouse, Harvest House, among others).

Now the downtown area can add a whole new type of bar to its repertoire: a barcade.

Game Changers Sports and Arcade Grill is one of the new entities opening up in the space where Hailey’s used to be. The bar features one section, full of TVs for your sports-watching pleasure (plus decently-priced bar food, beers and cocktails). The other section is a full-on arcade, and I’m talking a great 80’s-style arcade.

It already has almost 15 machines, with 6-8 more to come, according to manager Art Anderson. But the machines it already incorporates were enough to keep my friend and I entertained for a few hours with no problem.

Hey SuperChexx...I'm coming back for you.

We attracted quite the audience at the Super Chexx, a foosball-esque hockey game. There’s also regular foosball and air hockey. Billiard tables are a prominent fixture, as are several dart boards against one wall.

For arcade purists, there’s a machine that for 25 cents a play, you can try your hand at the classic arcade games like Pacman, Metroid, Frogger and Donkey Kong. I was also informed that ski-ball was in the future (yes, please) as well as other games.

Possibly the best part of the barcade was the pricing. The entrees were between $5-$10 for healthy portion sizes and the games were also reasonable to play. (For the old-school games, the charge is the same as it was back in the 80s!) I played games for about an hour and a half and still left with some quarters after bringing $5 with me.

You aren’t going to want to miss this new branch of entertainment, right off of the Square. Game Changers (122 W Mulberry) is open now, so gather up your quarters and get ready to throw-down at your game of choice.