More than 40 classic arcade games, a lineup of pinball machines, and a full restaurant menu make Bartari in downtown Scranton a different kind of night out. You can play Pac-Man, Galaga, and Donkey Kong before sitting down for chicken and waffles or Italian Wedding Ramen.
The arcade brings back familiar favorites from the 1980s and 1990s, while the kitchen serves everything from shareable appetizers to creative comfort food. There is also a full bar with craft beers and retro-inspired cocktails.
Families can enjoy the games earlier in the day, but after 9 PM, the venue becomes 21 and older. Between the rotating game collection, unusual menu items, and special events, there is plenty here beyond a typical evening at the bar.
Player One Starts Here in Downtown Scranton
Every great game needs a starting screen, and mine was a busy corner in the heart of downtown.
Bartari sits at 101 Adams Ave, Scranton, PA 18503, in northeastern Pennsylvania, United States. The address puts it within easy walking distance of shops, offices, and other downtown stops.
The building used to be home to Molly Brannigan’s, a spot that stood empty for a long time. Bartari opened in the space around October 2019, and the owners hoped it would bring more people and more nightlife to the area.
From what I saw on my visit, that plan worked. The sidewalk had a steady stream of friends, couples, and families heading inside.
The location is also handy for anyone exploring the city. You can pair a game night with other Scranton sights earlier in the day, then wrap up here for dinner and a few rounds.
Garage parking and bike parking are both available nearby, so getting there is simple.
Of course, the address is only part of the fun. The name on the sign holds a clever little secret.
The Secret Hiding in a Single Word
Say the name out loud a few times and you might catch it. Bartari blends two words together, bar and Atari, the famous name behind so many early home and arcade games.
I loved this little pun the moment I figured it out. It tells you right away what kind of evening you are about to have.
The owners describe the place as part restaurant, part bar, and part arcade. That three-in-one idea was already popular in bigger cities, and they wanted to make it work for Scranton.
Their goal was to bring a different flair to downtown by mixing tasty food with real entertainment. Nostalgia does a lot of the heavy lifting here, and it works on almost everyone.
Parents who grew up with joysticks get to show off old skills. Younger visitors get to discover games they have only heard about.
Fun fact: Atari helped launch the arcade craze in the 1970s with Pong. Now its name lives on in a Pennsylvania dining room.
Wait until you see what that dining room actually looks like inside.
Bright Lights and a Wide Open Room
My first surprise was the light. Plenty of arcades feel dark and cramped, but this room is wide open, clean, and brightly lit.
Rows of arcade cabinets line the space, with pinball machines flashing nearby. Tables and a long bar give you plenty of spots to eat between rounds.
The vibe is lively and retro without feeling messy. You hear the beeps of Pac-Man, the clatter of flippers, and friends cheering over a high score.
Music plays throughout the evening, and it can get loud near the bar. I found quieter corners closer to the games when I wanted to chat.
Bartari is openly LGBTQ+ friendly, and that welcoming feeling shows in the crowd. People of all kinds were laughing together at the machines.
On nicer days, outdoor seating offers a breather from the noise. It is a pleasant spot to eat before heading back in for another game.
All that space has to be filled with something special. The game lineup is where things really level up.
Forty-Plus Cabinets From the Golden Age
Galaga got my first quarter, and it did not want to let go. The collection here includes somewhere between 40 and 50 classic arcade games from the 1980s and 1990s.
The list reads like a greatest hits album. Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, Frogger, Asteroids, Tetris, and Q-Bert are all part of the lineup.
Fighting fans can try Mortal Kombat II. Sports lovers can shout their way through NBA Jam with a friend.
I also spotted Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which is perfect for teaming up with a group. Area 51 lets you grab a light gun and test your aim.
The collection keeps expanding and rotating, so regulars often find a new challenge. It also means your favorite might be waiting on your next visit even if it was missing this time.
My tip is to walk the full room before spending anything. Pick a few must-plays, then wander.
As fun as the video games are, the flippers in the next row stole even more of my time.
Pinball Paradise With Flippers Galore
Some visitors jokingly call this spot the pinball capital of Pennsylvania, and after an hour at the flippers, I understood why.
Bartari offers somewhere between 12 and 25 pinball machines, all lined up and blinking. The mix covers old favorites and newer releases.
Classic fans will find Twilight Zone and Addams Family, two tables many players still rank among the best ever made. They feel fast, tricky, and full of hidden surprises.
Newer machines include Deadpool, Ghostbusters, Godzilla, Jurassic Park, and Star Wars. There is also a remake of Tales of the Arabian Nights.
The machines are well kept, which matters a lot in pinball. A sticky flipper can ruin a game, and I never ran into one.
Here is my advice for beginners. Do not slap the flippers nonstop, and try to catch the ball to aim your shots.
Pinball fans travel to find tables like these. Better yet, the price tag on them might make you smile, and I will explain why next.
Quarters Still Rule the Room
No swipe cards. No confusing point systems.
Bartari runs mainly on quarter-fed machines, and that one choice makes the whole place feel more authentic. Hearing a coin drop is part of the fun.
Many games still keep their original price from the year they were released. That often means just 25 cents for a round, which is hard to find anywhere else today.
A small handful of change can last a long time. I played for well over an hour without spending much at all.
Bring quarters with you if you can. It saves a trip and gets you playing faster.
Pinball machines and newer games may cost more, so check each machine first. Prices vary by game.
Sometimes a machine eats a coin, which happens at any arcade. Staff are quick to help, so just let someone know instead of walking away.
Those saved dollars come in handy, because the menu is about to tempt you in a big way.
Snacks Made for Button Mashers
Gaming makes you hungry, and the kitchen clearly knows it. The menu leans gastropub, which means classic pub food with a creative, modern twist.
The Nibbles and Dippers section is perfect between rounds. I started with Fried Cheddar Curds served with marinara, and they disappeared fast.
Fried Dill Pickle Chips come with Alabama white BBQ sauce, a tangy pairing I did not expect to love. Beer Battered Zucchini Planks arrive with Parmesan and marinara.
Pigs N’ Pretzels come with spicy mustard and habanero cheese wiz. That mustard is the kind of thing you remember on the drive home.
Bartari Fish Fingers get a pickle relish aioli. For something cozy, the Grilled Cheese Toastie mixes ham, cooper cheese, apples, and dijonnaise.
One small tip: grab napkins before heading back to the joystick. Greasy fingers and buttons are not a winning combo.
These bites are great solo, but some dishes are made for passing around the table.
Plates Built for the Whole Party
Sharing is caring, especially when the plate is the size of a game board. The Social Shareables section is made for groups, though a hungry solo player could tackle a few.
Diana’s Sheet Tray Nachos stole the show at a nearby table. Fresh tortilla chips get loaded with cheese, beans, guacamole, crema, and salsa.
Crispy Chicken Wings come with raw veggies and chunky bleu cheese dressing. Meatless wings have also shown up on the menu, which is great for vegetarians.
Fried Buffalo Shrimp are tossed in Crystal hot butter. General John’s Cauliflower brings sweet and sour sauce, benne seeds, and scallions.
Cousteau’s Crusted Calamari adds hot cherry peppers and marinara for a little kick. Twice Fried Fries round things out with extra crunch.
Notice the fun names? Many dishes wink at famous people and local history, which makes reading the menu a mini game.
Hungry for something heftier? One burger has a name every arcade fan will recognize.
A Burger Named After a Famous Ape
Kong Donkey. Flip the words and you get a classic arcade hero, and the burger lives up to the joke.
The Kong Donkey Smashed Burger is topped with jalapeno cheese wiz, pickles, and crisp iceberg lettuce. It is juicy, a little spicy, and very satisfying.
Every sandwich and burger comes with housemade chips and a pickle. That small touch made my plate feel complete.
Charlie’s Fried Chicken Sandwich piles on bacon, cheddar, ranch, lettuce, and pickles. It is a solid pick if beef is not your thing.
The Crispy Friday Fish Sandwich brings ding slaw and pickled jalapenos for a zesty bite. I liked how it stayed crunchy.
Picky eaters can go with the Build-Your-Own Burger. Choose your toppings and make it exactly how you like.
Fries are worth adding on the side, since they come out hot and crispy on a good night.
Still, the dish people talk about most is not a burger at all. It involves a waffle.
Waffles, Ramen, and Other Big Surprises
Chicken and waffles at an arcade sounds odd until the plate lands in front of you. The Fried Chicken and Waffle features crispy dark meat, a buttermilk waffle, and Emerick maple syrup.
The portion is huge. I saved half for later, and I was glad I did.
Italian Wedding Ramen surprised me most. Nonna’s mini meatballs, sun noodle ramen, double chicken broth, and Parmesan make a cozy bowl.
Mac’s Famous Mac’n Cheese uses Pennsylvania white cheddar sauce, Dutch ham, and pasta shells. Comfort food fans will feel right at home.
Taco lovers can try Jalapeno Lime Steak Tacos or Key West Cajun Fish Tacos. The flatbreads also have fun names, like the Ben Franklin and the pepperoni-topped Humphry Davy.
The Watts Up Buffalo flatbread adds shredded chicken, Monterey Jack, garlic spread, and a blue cheese drizzle.
Kitchens have off nights, so speak up if something seems wrong. Staff want you to enjoy it.
Food fills you up, but the next part fills your heart.
Quarters for Kids and Other Good Deeds
Playing Pac-Man for a good cause feels pretty great. Through an effort called Quarters for Kids, arcade proceeds are donated to help others.
I liked knowing my coins were doing a little extra work. It turns a simple game into a small act of kindness.
Bartari also hosts launch parties for new pinball machines. Fans show up early to be among the first to try a fresh table.
The venue has teamed up with Lackawanna College for e-sports live streams. Watching skilled players compete is surprisingly exciting.
Live music pops up too. Rogue Chimp once performed here as part of the Scranton Jazz Festival.
These events show how the place works as more than a restaurant. It has become a gathering spot for the whole community.
Check the website or social pages before your trip. You might land on a night with a special event.
Planning to bring the whole family? Timing matters more than you think, so keep reading.
Game Plan for the Perfect Visit
Clocks matter here. Before 9 PM, guests under 21 are welcome, which makes early evening ideal for families with kids or teens.
After that, the crowd shifts to adults. Plan dinner and games earlier if you are bringing young players.
Hours run 11 AM to 2 AM on Friday and Saturday, and 11 AM to midnight on Sunday. Monday through Thursday, doors open at 4 PM and close at midnight.
Weekends get busy, so arriving early helps you grab a table and your favorite machine. Weeknights are calmer for serious gamers.
Wheelchair access, garage parking, and bike parking make the trip easier. Takeout and delivery are offered if you want the food at home.
Besides arcade cabinets, you can try skee-ball, pool tables, and Jenga. Skee-ball was a hit with the families I saw.
Call 570-800-7109 with questions before you go.
My final tip is simple. Bring a roll of quarters, an appetite, and a friend ready to lose at Galaga.
Game over never felt so good.
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