Tap It Social House

Tap It Social House

Reviews Summary

The consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with most reviewers praising Tap It Social House as a fun, family-friendly venue offering duckpin bowling, arcade games, and a great drink selection. The staff is frequently highlighted as friendly and attentive. Many appreciate the unique entertainment options for both kids and adults, though a few note minor drawbacks like overpriced claw machines or limited beer variety. Overall, it’s seen as a welcome addition to the area, ideal for parties, dates, or casual outings.

About This Listing

Has Retro Games
Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Who Can Play?

Most arcades welcome all ages (some may have age restrictions for certain games)
Minors may need parent/guardian supervision (policies vary by location)
No gaming experience required - games range from beginner to expert level
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended for safety
Valid ID may be required for certain attractions or age verification
Groups and parties welcome (advance booking may be required)

*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*

First-Time Visitors

First-time visitors may need to sign a waiver or register for a game card. Staff are typically available to help explain games and provide tutorials. Some arcades offer newcomer specials or free play sessions to help you get started.

Common Restrictions:

Age-Based Some games may have height or age requirements for safety reasons
Capacity Popular games may have wait times during peak hours

*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*

What to Bring

Cash or card for tokens/credits (some arcades are cashless)
Valid ID for age verification or membership signup
Phone to capture high scores and memories (check photo policies)

*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*

Preparing for Your Visit

Check arcade hours and peak times online before visiting
Eat beforehand or check if the arcade has food options
Bring friends for multiplayer games and competitions
Wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in
Avoid bringing valuable items that could be lost or damaged
Check for special events, tournaments, or discount days
Set a budget for games and stick to it
Stay hydrated, especially during long gaming sessions

*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*

How to Get Started

Most arcades accept walk-ins, but call ahead during busy periods or for large groups. Check for membership deals!

Other Helpful Info

Most visits last 1-3 hours depending on games and group size
Popular games may have longer wait times during weekends and evenings
Many arcades offer unlimited play packages or time-based pricing
Some locations host tournaments and special events regularly
Prize redemption available at many arcades - save your tickets!

*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*

What to Expect from Retro Games in Arcades

Step into the glow of retro arcade games and expect a nostalgic rush! Classics like Galaga, Donkey Kong, or Mortal Kombat await, housed in vibrant cabinets with joysticks, buttons, or trackballs. You’ll dodge enemies, chase high scores, or battle opponents in fast-paced, pixel-perfect gameplay. Modern restorations include sharp CRT or LED screens and authentic controls, preserving the 80s/90s vibe. Games are easy to learn but tough to master, offering quick sessions or deep challenges. With leaderboards and arcade crowds cheering, retro games deliver timeless fun in 2025.

How Arcade Prize Games Work

Dive into the excitement of arcade prize games! Expect claw machines, skee-ball, whack-a-mole, or basketball challenges where you test your skills or luck to win tickets or prizes directly. Claw games require precise joystick control to grab toys, while redemption games reward accuracy with tickets to trade for plushies, gadgets, or trinkets at prize counters. Modern setups boast colorful displays and smooth mechanics, blending nostalgia with fresh fun. The thrill of winning and the vibrant arcade vibe make prize games a captivating draw in 2025.

Features

Has Retro Games
Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

42 N Main St

Wendell, North Carolina 27591

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 12-9PM
Wednesday 12-9PM
Thursday 12-9PM
Friday 12-10PM
Saturday 11AM-11PM
Sunday 11AM-8PM

Customer Reviews

Awesome, fun place to visit! A gem in Wendell! My fianc? and I love the drinks and duck pin bowling! The staff are all very helpful and kind. They have awesome deals on different days of the week! Will definitely be a regular here! ??????

Great balance of adult and family fun. Outstanding bar that includes high end bourbons, Rye, and tequila. The self dispensing beer area has 30 different beers you can try. Wonderful first experience in Wendell!

Tap It hosted 2 of our kids birthday parties within a 4 month period!! They love it there as well as all their friends ages 7-11. Tables were decorated, Bill the Mascot came out with the cake and the kids left with a variety cup of candy and treat bag! It's close by and you will be supporting a small family business. Go to Tap It Social House!!

I have been here several times to watch different sports events. The bartender is really nice and efficient. They don't prepare food on site however you can get local food delivered here. I like that you can serve yourself your own beers!

Tap It is so fun! Our 9 year old and 7 year old did amazing with the smaller balls and the atmosphere is upbeat. Highly recommend for families or date night!

We just moved in the area, me and the fam decided to see whats around to do with our kiddos. We found this place, staffs were nice. They have arcade mini bowling and craft beers . It's also very clean and to top that it's veteran owned and we love supporting local businesses and our vets!

This place was pretty relaxing had good cold beer a lot of games to play and bowling plus it's local. If you haven't been yet, check it out.

This place was great for my son and his buddy. They have some fun arcade games. The bowling was a good time as well. It's very technology forward. So, if you are slow at computer it may be hard to set up your bowling game. But the staff was super attentive and nice. They have a cool self serve beer area and a few spirits to choose from as well. The photos are of ducks they hide all over the place. Along with a few Mario characters. Definitely a great addition to Wendell.

Very fun and unique experience. Not just for kids. Different but fun way to bowl and a great arcade area. The bar and beer wall is a must.

We came this weekend for a birthday party. This is a great place to have a birthday. My wife and I were able to have a beer while our daughter played arcade games and bowled. It was nice to not to feel like we had to hover around .

We had so much fun ?? went here for my friend Hannah's birthday, and everyone had a blast. I've never played duckpin bowling before, but it's great for little kids and adults alike.

Was a fun place for adults and kids . Food brought over from across the road was good and very reasonable priced. Nice for a change! Tap it prices for beer were fine but costs a lot for game playing and prizes are not what kids were hoping for. They said they felt ripped off. Maybe they can work on that since this is what the big attraction is.

Fun for the whole family! The staff was super nice to my kids and making sure they had a fun time in the arcade. We appreciate the ramps throughout since my son uses a wheelchair. Can't wait to come back to try bowling and drinks. It's great on hot summer days for some indoor fun to beat the heat. We love 41 north food so it was cool they had a QR code in there to order some yummy food while you hang out!

We love Tap It! A wonderful place for family fun. I also love the bowling league for some kid free time. Both the owner and bartender are very personable and accommodating. No food on site, but very easy to either bring in food or order from 41 North. Great drinks!

I love coming here! We've come as a family with two young toddlers, as a couple on a date, and with friends! It is so much fun for everyone! The staff is so nice, the mini bowling is so fun, and they have a great variety of games for everyone! The fact that my young (3 and almost 2) boys have a few different options for games is huge! The food is good also! The bar has fun drinks and the draft wall is so cool! We are so lucky to have such a fun place in town!

If you love supporting locally owned and operated businesses, I highly recommend Tap It! The staff are extremely friendly, the business is clean, prices are reasonable, and there is plenty of fun for all ages. We had my daughter's birthday party there and they did an amazing job. We have been back several times since and have never had a bad experience.

It looks like the owners are children at heart but they also may be parents too!! There's space for the kids but also space for the kid at heart! Arcade games, beer games, and family fun!! Head over to the coffee shop across the street and the brewery across the tracks!!!!

Great place for family night out, games galore at reasonable prices or for an adult meeting place to have a beer or something stronger and watch a game. Highly recommend and once you stop by you will want to come back with your friends!

Such a fun place! Great customer service and a fun rubber duck scavenger hunt to end the night! Great tap options too! Loved that it wasn't just beer! We'll definitely be back with all our friends and family! Oh and you can bring in food, this place is awesome!

Fun but the claw machines that all the kids like are grossly overpriced to the point my kid spent 20 bucks worth of credits within 2 minutes. Claw machine prices need to come down significantly as all the kids love them but run out of money quick.

If you're local to the Wendell area, definitely check this place out! It's family friendly and also a nice place for a date night. They have duckpin and arcade games. Their tap wall has a great selection of ciders and beer. I plan to return back again soon.

Awesome venue for downtown Wendell! The staff was super friendly and helpful. Kids enjoyed the arcade, cotton candy machine, and our first try at duck bowling! Looking forward to coming back and trying the different beers on tap!

This is such a cool place! We had a family birthday party for our 4 yr old grandson and it was such fun for adults and kiddos. This place is bright, roomy and so clean. The managerial staff is excellent - friendly, attentive & helpful. There are all kinds of fun arcade games and they even have duckpin bowling. The beer selection was fabulous & self serve. We didn't try the mixed drinks but they had a fully stocked bar with fun sounding cocktails. Food was ordered from 41 North (across the street) & it never

AWESOME place. Just what Wendell needs: family-oriented and FUN. Duck pin bowling is amazing good fun (and tough to master), great beverages, and lots of fun games. If you've got kids, make sure they look for the golden duck to win a prize!!!

Wendell is super lucky to have Tap It as an attraction! It's such a fun place for younger kids. The arcade did have some games that were "coming soon" but it had a decent selection of tickets earners and pure fun games. Staff is the important part, and they were all awesome. This is what my ratings are primarily based on because an Arcade is an Arcade and mini bowling is what it is. The staff earned the 5 stars. Also they have a beer wall. That definitely helps too!

If you have a reservation for bowling don't except to go at your reserve time. Made a reservation for a one hour session scheduled for 7-8pm and at 7 staff told me my reservation was at 7:30. Looked up my email and it clearly said 7-8. They then told me that it would be about 48 mins until our bowling lane would be opened. Left without bowling. Not sure we will go back.

One of the rare places great for families or a group of adults looking to hang out. Went with my family (including 4 y.o. and 8 y.o.). They enjoyed the arcade and DuckPin bowling. There are a variety of options with bowling to increase entertainment for kids - my sons liked the ones that added silly things to your picture after each frame. Multiple small touches show intentionality throughout, such as places to put drinks while playing many of the arcade games. Staff were responsive and attentive. My family

Fantastic experience, we had our daughter's birthday there and she had a blast! The staff was super friendly and made sure we were taken care of without being intrusive, the bowling was great, and we enjoyed all the arcade games. We'll definitely be back!

Love this place. Duck pin bowling is so much fun. The staff are friendly and attentive. Prices are reasonable.

Friendly staff and clean games and tables. A fun place to have a birthday party. An awesome idea for a small town. I always enjoy duck bowling and the arcade games. I can't wait to go back!

What a cool spot, in the heart of downtown Wendell! Loads of fun games, a full bar and kitchen, and the duck pin bowling is a blast! Great for both kids and adults with loads to do. Also, be sure to check out the cotton candy machine - it's very unique and won't disappoint! If you get a chance, grab a moment to say hello to the owners, as they are great!

Man... Adam and Jon are wonderful very interpersonal men. They are my battle buddies as well. This place was great last night my son had fun I had fun and not to mention the drinks were awesome as well. Self serve beer on tap and you can pay what you want on your wristband for beers. I'm so glad tap it social house is in Wendell it gives the kids fun activities to partake in, instead of driving 30 years to Raleigh. I recommend this establishment. Thanks guys we will be back to bowl. ??????

Great place to hang out for adults while kids enjoy arcades. Even allows my friends to bring in our board games to play.

This place is just what Wendell needed! Perfect mix of fun for kids and adults. The arcade has a wide variety of games including shooting, basketball, skee-ball, claw machines, and more. The taps seemed to have a good variety of beer and cinders, there is a small bar for mixed drinks as well. The bowling area is beautiful with comfortable couches and high tops to relax at. Overall 10 out of 10!

We went on a Sunday thinking it would be fairly empty. It wasn't, and it was very loud (low ceilings) and the duckpin lanes were pretty short. The staff was very friendly and it was clean and the beer taps are cool. We will go back on a weeknight. All in all, a cool place.

While Wendell continues to grow, it has lacked entertainment options thus far. Tap It Social House brings the unique experience of entertainment combined with a sweet beer tap wall and cocktail bar. The arcades are great and the duck pin bowling is a great way to spend time with friends and family in the area! Even better the prices are competitive and the venue is clean and well thought out. Excited to enjoy Tap It Social House again in the near future!

We booked a last-minute birthday party here, and everything was wonderful!! Everyone was so friendly and helpful. The kids had a great time!!

We recently moved to the area and really like it here. The staff is always really kind and you can tell they're working hard. Love the beer/cider/seltzer selection. Searching for the hidden ducks is always a fun challenge!

Such a great spot in Wendell. There's duck bowling, games, beer on tap and cocktails! The owners are great people and the employees are friendly. If your a jeep owner, look for the hidden ducks;)

Really cool place! Owner is awesome and accommodating. Duck Pin bowling, arcade, and great beer and cider selection. Go check them out!

Awesome place to take the family! I recently had the pleasure of visiting Tap It and was thoroughly impressed. The service was top-notch and The staff were all friendly, professional, and went above and beyond to ensure a great experience. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for quality family fun. I'll definitely be returning!

Me and my little sister went on Saturday and it was so much fun. The staff was great and handled the chaos so well, as there was a wait list for the duck pin bowling but we only waited 30 minutes when they said it would be and hour. We will definitely be going back!!

Perfect addition to not just Wendell, but the Raleigh area. Reasonable prices, amazing service, and so much fun here. Both kids said they had the best price counter of any arcade too!

The staff is super friendly, most of the arcade games are barely a dollar and the beer wall gives you the freedom to enjoy beer the way you want to. Without a doubt our new go-to place when my wife and I are in downtown Wendell looking for fun, with or without the kids in tow! My absolute favorite though, what really makes it stand out in my mind from all the other arcades, are the two multi-game arcade machines that contain virtually every game you can think of from the 70's, 80's and 90's. NES, SNES, N

This is an amazing place! Fun for all ages. They have a great selection of games and the duck pin bowling was a blast. Drinks are great and the staff is exceptional.

We were introduced to duckpin bowling at PINS mechanical in Nashville, TN and have wanted something similar in the triangle ever since! Wendell is a bit of a drive for us (about 40 minutes) but we are so glad to have Tap It to go to! Great beer selection, fun arcade games and of course, duckpin bowling!

We had an amazing time at tap it social! The service was excellent and drinks too! If you're looking for games and a fun day or night out this is the place in little Wendell, especially the mini bowling lanes ??

For all you "sip-and-sitters" who insist on bringing your little "designated drivers in the making" to a bar in Wendell, your now in luck! Wendell's Tapit Social House offers entertainment for parents and children. But do everyone a favor and not turn comfortable seats into a nursery, it is also a Social House. What was once a department store has been completely transformed to entertainment venue that offers drinks, games and nothing but a great time. If you're not a fan of wearing someone else's shoes an

We would have loved to give a 5 star review. But sadly we just didn't get to experience it the way we thought. Summer hours are posted online that they're open til 8- we got there at 6:15 and were told they are closing at 7. So we were like- cool. I can have a drink and play a few games of Jurassic Park. But before we were even done ordering our drinks they were putting up bar stools. Some sweet girl even had one fall on her. The bartender (sadly didn't catch his name) was an absolute doll though. Answered

Fun for the entire family, the Tap wall is awesome,, with a wide variety of domestic and craft beers, to include many ciders. What is unique, you only pay for what you pour, want to sample an ounce, the ounce is what you are charged for. If your preference is for a Tapit specialty drink, the bar will happily serve you, and if alcohol is not for you fountain drinks are available with endless refills. Adam, the owner has partnered with an outstanding grill adjacent to Tapit that will bring food ordered

What a great experience for kids and adults! The staff are welcoming and provide great customer service. We loved the duck bowling and everything we tried. Highly recommend for a date and/or family fun.

Awesome family establishment. If you're in the Raleigh area and are looking to have a great time with your family, friends, or coworkers, this is the place to visit. I recommend this place 100%. Many activities to participate in and share with others, extremely friendly and serviceable staff, in a great family setting. Additionally, the merch here is superb!

My kids have so much fun every time we go and can't wait to go back! Between the prizes, the games, the bowling, and everything in between there's never a dull moment. Tap it is truly something this area has needed for so long and is fun for all ages!

Great for kids to play and adults to have grown up fun aka good drinks at the bar.

Amazing time for the adults and kids! The staff is really helpful and nice. We enjoyed bowling and playing all the games. We still couldn't find all the ducks. We will be back!

Booked a reservation for bowling and they had my lane all set up for my family and I so if you want to not have to wait for a lane to open up I would recommend! And their signature drinks are really good and would recommend to have some to refresh from this heat!

I wish I could review all the fun we had however we never made it in. We arrived at 12:00 on a Saturday during their hours posted online. There was a sign saying ?we're open? posted outside but the door was locked. We saw a few people inside playing, so we knocked. We were told the whole establishment is closed for a private party until 3 or 4pm. No where was this information posted, so we wasted a 40 minute drive and actually our whole afternoon looking for something else to do in this heat. We have two sm

Not as many beers as I was hoping for. The games were fun & bowling was awesome. EDIT: there weren't 30 beers, most of them were out. A little more variety than a bunch of IPAs would be nice. I saw 2 sours & 2 ciders.

Brought my cousin in and had her try out some games and she honestly had fun, especially when it came to finding the four ducks that's a lot of word and she ended up getting a prize from the closet! The atmosphere in here is so family friendly and workers are on top of everything making you're you have a great time! Check it out if you can! 10/10

Super cool place! They have cocktails, a beer wall, arcade games and duck pin bowling. What more could you ask for? We had a great time!

Had the best time! Fun for all ages (the pear mule, paloma, and spicy margarita??), merchandise is top notch, and the service is outstanding. Thank you. We can't wait to stop by again.

We went there Saturday night with 3 of our grandchildren, all under the age of 11, and had a blast! Very family friendly atmosphere. Very friendly staff.

Fun games, great duck pin bowling. Drink options are great. Clean.

A great family treat from time to time, the kids get really excited to do the games and the bowling is perfect size (albeit loud) for everyone.

Loved the bowling, games, food provided by 41 North, lots of space,comfy sofas to relax, tables to gather your crew and eat.There is a bar area, fun for a ll ages!

We enjoyed ourselves! Fun fun times here for kids and adults! Adam is the best.

Great place for a family outing. Plenty to keep older and younger kids busy plus the awesome tap wall for the adults in your party.

With duck bowling, an arcade, a bar, cotton candy, and a great selection of beer, what more could you ask for? This place is awesome!

Great place to hang out and enjoy the day with friends and family..

Great place for kids and adults! Good selection of games and beer and bowling is fun too

Erin Kepich, I was at 41 N. around 12 and then headed over to tap it and it was open so maybe a person from the event was the one that told you? But anyway they are also new to wendell so maybe we can cut them some slack.

Love this place. It's great for kids or adults!

My daughter loved the games on there, and she hits a jackpot!!! Also the food from the QR Menu are really good ?? 100% recommend

Tap It is fantastic! The beer selection is amazing. It's clean, organized, and very well planned.

My kids and I have a blast playing the games and the drinks are cold and the staff is super friendly. Highly recommend!!

Great little arcade with a great self serve beer selection. Also make sure to find the 4 hidden rubber ducks to get a prize!

Great place to hang out with family, great beer and cocktails too don't forget to find the ducks while you're there

Great spot! Just what we needed around here. Ambient is great, staff is friendly, games and drinks are awesome. Highly recommend!

We really enjoyed our time at tap it special shout out to Maria and Shawn who are working there.

Great atmosphere, fun games, elite selections.

Fun place to hang out and play games of all kinds.

Great fun playing duck pin

Can't wait for it to open....

A really cool place for friends and family and they allow emotional support animals and service animals so all around a 10/10 location

Loved it, so much fun. Its such an awesome idea and a great friendly staff

Cool new place in downtown wendell. Great vibe?. Date night or family friendly!

lots of fun, duck pin bowling is awesome

Great atmosphere, and amazing staff. Really great place to spend an evening or afternoon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like visiting an arcade today?

It’s a mix of nostalgia and high-energy fun! Many arcades blend retro classics like Pac-Man and pinball with modern VR games, racing simulators, and rhythm challenges — often with music, lights, and a social vibe.

Is it better to go alone or with friends?

Both can be great! Solo visits let you focus on your favorite games, while going with friends adds competition, teamwork, and laughs. Many people plan arcade meetups as a casual hangout or even date spot.

What should I bring to an arcade?

Usually just yourself and a way to pay (some arcades still use coins, others use cards or apps). If you're competitive, bring your A-game. If you're social, bring friends or meet new ones over multiplayer games.

What’s the best time to visit an arcade?

Weekdays or early afternoons are usually less crowded — perfect for focused play. Evenings and weekends bring the buzz, especially at barcades or venues with DJs, tournaments, or themed nights.

Can I meet new people at arcades?

Absolutely! Arcades attract a mix of casual players and serious gamers. Whether you're jumping into a four-player co-op or chatting between rounds, it's a fun, low-pressure way to connect over shared interests.

Are arcades still just for kids?

Not at all. While many arcades are family-friendly, there are also adult-oriented ones with full bars, 18+ nights, or vintage nostalgia themes. Arcades today cater to everyone — from first-timers to lifelong gamers.

Are there events or tournaments I can join?

Yes! Many arcades host regular competitions, retro nights, cosplay parties, and more. Whether you're into high scores or just want to watch and vibe, events add an extra layer to the experience.

What if I’m not great at arcade games?

No worries — arcades are about having fun, not being perfect. Try a variety of games, ask others for tips, and remember: the vibe is more “let’s play” than “let’s win.”

Are retro games in arcades still good in this modern age?

Absolutely, retro games in arcades remain a thrilling draw in 2025! Classics like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Street Fighter II offer simple yet addictive gameplay, blending nostalgia with timeless challenge. Modern arcade cabinets often feature crisp displays and restored controls, enhancing the experience. These games thrive on quick reflexes and strategy, with vibrant pixel art and iconic soundtracks that spark joy. Arcades host tournaments and leaderboards, fostering a lively community. While modern games dominate, retro titles provide a unique, accessible thrill that keeps arcades buzzing.

Why are arcade prize games so exciting to play?

Arcade prize games are a thrilling highlight in 2025! Claw machines, skee-ball, and ticket-redemption games like basketball offer a rush of skill and chance, with rewards like plushies, toys, or electronics up for grabs. Modern machines feature vibrant lights, digital scoreboards, and responsive controls, amplifying the fun. The lively arcade atmosphere, with cheering crowds and buzzing energy, makes every win feel epic.