The Arcade Wake Forest Has Been Missing
Super Rad Retro Lounge is about a 20–25 minute drive south — 30+ restored arcade games, nine pinball machines, air hockey, and craft cocktails waiting for you on Glenwood South in downtown Raleigh.
A Short Drive. A Big Night Out.
Wake Forest is a great place to live, but when you want a genuinely memorable night out, sometimes you need to head south. Super Rad Retro Lounge sits on Glenwood South in the heart of downtown Raleigh — and from Wake Forest, that's roughly a 20 to 25 minute drive down US-1 S / Capital Boulevard. No toll road required, no highway maze. Just head south and follow Capital Boulevard straight into downtown.
What you find when you get here isn't a chain entertainment center or a bowling alley with a few token games bolted on. Super Rad is a real retro arcade bar — over 30 authentic, fully restored arcade cabinets with original boards and CRT monitors, nine pinball machines in genuine working order, a competitive air hockey table, and a full bar pouring craft cocktails and local beer. It is the kind of place that turns a normal Tuesday into a story you tell on Friday.
Whether you are planning a date night, organizing a group outing, or just looking for something different to do on a weekend, the trip from Wake Forest to Super Rad is worth every minute. And since you are landing on Glenwood South, you can make a full evening of it — dinner before, drinks after, all within a few blocks.
What's Here When You Arrive
30+ reasons to make the drive.
30+ Restored Arcade Classics
Pac-Man, Galaga, Donkey Kong, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Tetris — all running on original hardware with CRT screens. No multi-cades, no emulation shortcuts. See all the games →
Nine Real Pinball Machines
A full row of authentic pinball machines in excellent playing condition. Fish Tales, X-Files, Pirates of the Caribbean, and more. Pinball in Raleigh →
Air Hockey & More
Competitive air hockey with weekly tournaments, plus console gaming for when you need a break from the cabinet. Air hockey in Raleigh →
Craft Cocktails & Local Beer
A full bar of retro-inspired cocktails, draft beer from local North Carolina breweries, and zero-proof options. You won't be thirsty. See the drink menu →
Weekly Events & Tournaments
Retro trivia nights, themed 80s and 90s parties, pinball and air hockey tournaments. There's usually something going on beyond just open play. Check the event calendar →
Super Rad is also one of the best spots in Raleigh for birthday parties and corporate events — private rentals available.
Getting Here from Wake Forest
Simple route, easy parking, walkable neighborhood.
The Drive
From most of Wake Forest, you are looking at roughly 20–25 minutes heading south. Take US-1 S / Capital Boulevard south into downtown Raleigh, then follow signs toward Glenwood South. The address is 106 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603. Easy to navigate, easy to find.
Parking Downtown
Glenwood South has several public parking decks and surface lots nearby. The Harrington Street Parking Deck and the parking off West Lane Street are popular options. Street parking is available on side streets, especially earlier in the evening. Arriving before 8 PM gives you the best shot at a good spot without circling.
The Neighborhood
Glenwood South is Raleigh's most walkable nightlife district. Once you park, you won't need your car again. Restaurants, rooftop bars, live music venues, and more are all within a few blocks of Super Rad. Make an evening of it — dinner somewhere nearby, then head to the arcade.
Make a Night of It
The stretch of Glenwood Avenue around Super Rad has great options for dinner before you play. Grab a meal, head into Super Rad, challenge someone to Mortal Kombat, lose badly at pinball, get another drink, and repeat. There's no real rush — that's the point. Check out our full guide to things to do in Raleigh →
Family-Friendly Early. 21+ After Dark.
If you have kids in tow, Super Rad is genuinely family-friendly until 8 PM. The games are appropriate for all ages — these are the same classics parents grew up playing, and kids take to them immediately. Bring them in for an afternoon session and they will not want to leave. After 8 PM, Super Rad becomes a 21+ venue, so plan accordingly if you are bringing younger guests.
For adults-only visits, the after-8 atmosphere is relaxed and fun — neon lights, 80s and 90s music, a packed game floor, and a full bar. It is a real night out, not a watered-down arcade experience. The games are just as much fun at 10 PM with a cocktail as they are at 4 PM with a Coke.
Why These Games Are Worth the Drive
There are plenty of places with arcade games. Most of them are redemption-ticket operations aimed at kids, or they run emulation software on modern hardware that approximates the original experience without really delivering it.
Super Rad does something different. Every cabinet on the floor has been sourced, repaired, and restored to play the way it did when it first shipped to an arcade. That means original PCBs, original monitors, original controls. When you step up to a Pac-Man cabinet here, you are playing the actual game — not a simulation of it. The sound, the feel of the joystick, the way the screen looks, the challenge of the AI. It is authentic in a way that is increasingly rare.
That is the reason people drive from Wake Forest, from Cary, from Chapel Hill, from Durham. Not because there is nowhere closer to get a drink, but because there is nowhere closer to get this. Raleigh has a lot going on, and Super Rad sits right at the intersection of nostalgia, craft cocktails, and genuine fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Super Rad from Wake Forest, NC?
From most of Wake Forest, Super Rad Retro Lounge is roughly a 20 to 25 minute drive south via US-1 S / Capital Boulevard into downtown Raleigh. The exact time depends on where in Wake Forest you are starting from and traffic conditions. It is a straightforward, easy drive with no toll roads.
Is there an arcade bar near Wake Forest?
Super Rad Retro Lounge in downtown Raleigh is the closest true retro arcade bar to Wake Forest. It is about a 20–25 minute drive south and offers 30+ fully restored arcade classics, nine pinball machines, air hockey, and a full craft cocktail bar. There is nothing comparable between Wake Forest and Raleigh.
Is Super Rad family-friendly?
Yes — until 8 PM. Super Rad Retro Lounge welcomes guests of all ages during the day and early evening. After 8 PM it becomes a 21+ venue. If you are bringing kids, plan to arrive earlier in the evening and you will have plenty of time to play the classics together.
Where do I park near Super Rad on Glenwood South?
There are several parking options near 106 Glenwood Ave. The Harrington Street Parking Deck is a short walk away, and there are surface lots and street parking on the surrounding side streets. Arriving before 8 PM typically makes finding a spot easier. Once you park, the entire Glenwood South district is walkable.
Come See Us
About 20 minutes south of Wake Forest. Worth every mile.
Super Rad Retro Lounge
106 Glenwood Ave
Raleigh, NC 27603
Family-friendly until 8 PM • 21+ after 8 PM
Find Us
On Glenwood South in downtown Raleigh — one of the most walkable nightlife districts in the Triangle.