The Arcade Cary Residents Keep Coming Back To
Super Rad Retro Lounge is about 15–20 minutes from Cary — a quick hop up I-40 East to downtown Raleigh’s Glenwood South, where 30+ fully restored classic arcade games, nine pinball machines, air hockey, and craft cocktails are waiting.
A Short Drive, A Completely Different Night Out
If you live in Cary, you already know the Triangle has no shortage of things to do. But sometimes you want something you genuinely cannot find at the mall or a chain entertainment center — something with character, history, and a little bit of neon glow. That’s where Super Rad Retro Lounge comes in.
The drive from Cary to Glenwood South is straightforward: take I-40 East toward downtown Raleigh, exit toward Wade Avenue, and you’re there in roughly 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic. There’s no toll, no complicated navigation — just a quick jump across the Triangle to one of the most fun blocks in downtown Raleigh.
Once you arrive, you step into a space that feels completely different from anything else nearby. Real arcade cabinets with original circuit boards and CRT monitors, the satisfying thwack of a pinball plunger, ice sliding fast across an air hockey table, and a bar pouring drinks named after the games you just played. It’s the kind of place that gets better every time you visit, because there’s always a new game to master or a new cocktail to try.
What’s Inside Super Rad
Real games. Real drinks. Zero chain-restaurant energy.
30+ Restored Arcade Games
Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Galaga, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Tetris — over thirty titles, all running on original hardware. Every cabinet has been meticulously restored: original boards, original monitors, original controls. You’re not playing an emulator on a tablet. See all the games →
Nine Real Pinball Machines
Fish Tales, X-Files, Pirates of the Caribbean, and more — nine full-size machines lined up and ready. Pinball is having a moment in Raleigh, and Super Rad has one of the best lineups in the area. More about pinball →
Air Hockey & More
Competitive air hockey with weekly tournaments, plus console gaming stations. Whether you’re playing against a friend or warming up for a tournament, this is the kind of fun that doesn’t need an explanation. Air hockey in Raleigh →
Craft Cocktails & Local Beer
A full bar with retro-inspired cocktails, rotating local drafts, and zero-proof options so everyone has something worth sipping. See the drink menu →
Make a Night of It on Glenwood South
Super Rad is one stop on one of Raleigh’s most walkable blocks.
Glenwood South is the kind of street where a night out can look however you want it to. There are restaurants for every taste within a few blocks, rooftop bars, live music venues, and more — all in a compact area you can walk between without moving the car. The street has a real neighborhood feel even on a busy Saturday: people are actually having fun, not just checking a box.
A natural move from Cary is to grab dinner at one of the Glenwood South restaurants first, then head into Super Rad for the games and drinks portion of the evening. Or flip it — come for happy hour at the arcade, get a couple of games in before the crowd builds, then wander to dinner. Either way, you are not driving back to Cary early because you ran out of things to do.
Super Rad hosts weekly events too: retro trivia nights, themed 80s and 90s parties, pinball and air hockey tournaments, and more. Check the calendar before you come — landing on a tournament night is a very good thing. View upcoming events →
Getting There & Parking
The Drive from Cary
From most parts of Cary, the fastest route is I-40 East toward downtown Raleigh, then exit at Wade Avenue and head south toward Glenwood Avenue. The drive is typically about 15 to 20 minutes — though like any downtown corridor, rush hour on a Friday can add some time. Plan accordingly and you’ll be fine.
Parking Downtown
Glenwood South has a mix of street parking and surface lots nearby. Street spots on Glenwood and the surrounding side streets can fill up on weekend nights, so arriving a touch early helps. The Boylan Avenue and Morgan Street areas have additional parking within an easy walk. Rideshare is also a popular option if you want to skip the parking question entirely.
Family-Friendly Until 8 PM
Super Rad welcomes families with kids until 8 PM every night. Come early if you have littles in tow — the arcade games are genuinely fun for all ages, and seeing a kid discover Pac-Man for the first time is one of those small perfect moments. After 8 PM, the venue is 21+ only.
Part of the Glenwood South District
Super Rad is at 106 Glenwood Ave, right in the heart of the Glenwood South entertainment district. Everything on the block is walkable, which means you can extend the night without worrying about moving the car between stops. More things to do in Raleigh →
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Super Rad from Cary?
Super Rad Retro Lounge is about 15 to 20 minutes from most of Cary, depending on where you’re starting and what traffic looks like. The most common route is I-40 East to downtown Raleigh, then over to Glenwood Avenue. It’s an easy drive — no toll roads, no confusing exits.
Is there an arcade bar near Cary, NC?
Super Rad Retro Lounge in downtown Raleigh is the closest true retro arcade bar to Cary. It’s a short drive from pretty much anywhere in the Cary/Apex/Morrisville area. Unlike chain entertainment venues, Super Rad focuses on authentic restored arcade hardware — real cabinets, real CRTs, real pinball machines — alongside a full craft cocktail bar.
Is Super Rad family-friendly?
Yes — until 8 PM. Super Rad is all-ages before 8, which makes it a great outing for families with kids who want to experience real classic arcade games. After 8 PM, the venue becomes 21+ only, so plan your timing around that if you’re bringing younger ones along.
Where do I park when visiting from Cary?
Street parking on Glenwood Avenue and nearby side streets is your best bet. Spots fill up on Friday and Saturday evenings, so arriving before 8 PM or 9 PM gives you more options. Surface lots are within a short walk on Boylan Avenue and Morgan Street. Many Cary visitors find it easiest to rideshare so they can fully enjoy the cocktail menu without worrying about the drive home.
Ready to Make the Trip?
A lot of Cary residents have made Super Rad a regular part of their rotation — date nights, birthday outings, post-work Thursdays, or just a random Tuesday when you need something genuinely fun to do. The drive is short, the games are real, and the drinks are good. That’s the whole pitch.
Visit Us
Super Rad Retro Lounge
106 Glenwood Ave
Raleigh, NC 27603
Family-friendly until 8 PM · 21+ after 8 PM