Throwbacks

Throwbacks

Reviews Summary

This arcade offers an exceptional nostalgic experience with well-maintained classic games and pinball machines. The $15 unlimited play model is widely praised, along with the friendly staff, great atmosphere, and solid food and drink options. Most reviewers highlight the 80s vibe, family-friendly environment, and reasonable prices. A few mention minor issues like communication, but the overwhelming consensus is highly positive, with many calling it a must-visit for retro gaming fans.

About This Listing

Has Retro Games
Has Fighting Games
Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Has Pinball Machines
Good for kids
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 Pinball Tables in Arcades

Step up to a pinball table and dive into a vibrant, hands-on experience! Modern machines, like those from Stern or Jersey Jack, feature dazzling LCD screens, immersive themes (Star Wars, Stranger Things), and dynamic soundtracks. You’ll use flipper buttons to launch a steel ball, aiming for targets, ramps, and bumpers to rack up points. Each table has unique missions—hit specific targets to unlock bonuses or multiball modes for high-scoring chaos. Expect tactile thrills, flashing lights, and a lively crowd vibe, with tables rewarding skill and quick reflexes. Perfect for casual fun or competitive play, pinball delivers timeless arcade excitement in 2025.

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.

Features

Has Retro Games
Has Fighting Games
Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Has Pinball Machines
Good for kids
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

201 S East St

Culpeper, Virginia 22701

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 4-9PM
Thursday 4-9PM
Friday 12-11PM
Saturday 12-11PM
Sunday 12-7PM

Customer Reviews

We recently hosted our daughter?s birthday party at Throwbacks, and I cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience! From start to finish, the staff went above and beyond to make the day unforgettable. Every detail was thoughtfully taken care of, and their level of service exceeded our expectations. A special shout-out to Christina who truly went the extra mile to ensure everything ran smoothly. She was incredibly attentive, patient with the kids, and always had a smile on her face. Her enthusias

After following for a while I finally made it in with my son, and WOW!! I was expecting cool games and good food; but didn't anticipate the step back in time!! The aesthetic and attention to detail is amazing; movie/band/show posters from the 70's-90's, along with lighting and music made me feel like a kid again. The great beer selection was the icing on top of the cake. I went for my son to have a fun time, and ended up playing right alongside him, actually laughing and having fun as an adult; I noticed

Throwbacks is an awesome place to hang out with friends. You pay once at the door and play all the games you want! They have a great beer selection and the food is very good. We played and laughed for hours last night. There's a wide selection of retro arcade and pinball games and they are in great condition. Do yourself and your friends/family a big favor and check this place out!

I had my birthday party here and had an AMAZING time with my friends and family! Paul and his staff are very friendly, courteous, and on their A game! Food was awesome and reasonably priced. Love this place!

Great place, brought back memories of my early teens when my friends and I would spend our allowances at the local video arcade! Plenty of the first gen video games, such as PacMan, Donkey Kong, Zaxxon, Missile Command. Also, more than a dozen really cool pinball machines. $15 bucks for unlimited play is fantastic. Also fair selection of pub food and beer. My partner had a heck of a lot of fun here packed into less than a three-hour window.

I just found this awesome little hangout perfect for kids of all ages and that includes myself!!! ?? It just opened this summer!!! Culpeper has been in need of this for years!!! I met the owners Amy and Paul and they are wonderful people!!! I was shocked with how inexpensive it is!!! You can make reservations private or not for birthday parties etc and I am quite sure I found where my daughter's next one will be!!! The food is a great price and there is beer and sports on multiple TVs for the folks who

Place is the bomb. Dot. Com!!!!!!!! Took the siblings down here to check it out (been meaning to the moment I heard they had Dig Dug) and the vibes are AWSOME!!!!!! If you're a gamer, and love the classics DEFINITELY recommend

This is a very Kool place to go for nostalgic games. These plenty of pinball machines and classic games here too bring you back in time. The hotdawgs here are great also. Just pay $15 to play for however long you can play

This is totally the place to be. A excellent throwback to the better days. Plenty of classic arcade games and pinball machines to keep you entertained. A skeeball table, air hockey , foosball table are also in the mix. Prices are fair and the environment is very inviting. The owners are great!!

Good to go and relax, loved the atmosphere. Bar had options and food was good enough I'd eat there again.

Really nice arcade and bar. The games were really fun and we liked paying at the door and then having unlimited play. The beer selection was extensive and the food was really good too.

Love this place! Great selection of pinball machines, food, and drinks. They have all the classics

We came for a Saturday date night and we loved it. Great atmosphere and great place to enjoy an evening out for people who don't like the typical bar scene.

My husband & I went here for the first time and absolutely loved all the throw backs! We had a blast and want to bring our kids back! The staff was very kind and pleasant. We really enjoyed the environment and liked that it was safe and family friendly. Will be going back soon!

My friend and I passed by this place after dinner and saw that it was still open. We decided to check it out, we were greeted by a nice young man who told us that the games were open for anyone to play until they close and that we are free to walk around. My friend and I go to the bathroom and when we come out an older woman with an unfriendly demeanor comes up to us saying we have to pay $5 to stay, not even to play games just to stay. We are confused because we were told something else walking in. We deci

They have unlimited play and a lot of special nights where you don't pay full price. Even then, it's only $15. Vast menu to snack on with plenty of special beverage options for the adults. Great atmosphere. Fees like I'm in the arcade scene of the first Tron movie. The owners, Paul and Amy, are very friendly and great people. It's not just fun for adults, but my kids had an absolute blast. Especially on the skee-ball, air hockey and racing games. Tons of variety and always adding new games. Absolute

Great owners and such and awesome place. All the games are amazing and bring so many awesome memories. I also loved their buffalo chicken sandwich. The beer selections are awesome too. Can't wait to go back!

I've been to many arcades in my lifetime, and this one was my favorite. I loved the atmosphere, the food, and the excellent assortment of retro arcade machines. If you love pinball, then please go here! (So many options.) I will definitely be a regular! ?????

$15 per person play all day no coins or cards needed food was good and reasonably priced highly recommend i fir old and young

This place is exactly what you would want in an arcade, $15 entry, everything set to free to play. The food and beverage selection is fantastic and the prices are more than reasonable. What an amazing addition to our town!

A fantastic place run by fantastic people! The owner was so kind and friendly. Prices are very reasonable and they have the best games and pinball. The venue has such a great vibe. Next time we are in the area this will be the first place we come back to.

This place is awesome! Great throwback games, great old-school arcade experience WITH FOOD! I played every pinball game there and it's cool to see how much they packed in to those things. They're like works of art!

We went on a free play night for $15 all you can play. We played golf, ski ball, basket ball, shooting games, pin ball, pack man. It was great there was maybe 5 other people there. They have beer, seltzer, and ciders. Cool little place.

Great beer selection, awesome staff and a wonderful selection of games! Always a good time whether it's just my wife and I or we bring the entire family!

Fun place to bring the kids to show them the games mom and dad grew up on. Can't speak to the bar, but food prices are reasonable and the food is good if simple. Definitely a good family friendly venue for Culpeper.

Got to try Throwback on Saturday and it was such a good time! Lots of games to choose from, wonderful staff, and a great bar! Definitely coming back!

Great little arcade, pinball machines, old arcade games, shooter games, and car games. Also had skeeball,bastketball,and air hockey. They do serve alcohol; some foods, and soft drinks. Overall fun for all.

My husband and I go just about every week, the food is good, the hospitality is fantastic, and it's just $15 to play any game all night!

As a kid who was a heavy gamer, to adult with children who love games, this is our hangout spot, mainly mine, but it's nice to have something different in town to take your mind off what's going on in the world. I can't recommend this place enough. Paul, Amy, and Christina are a great bunch and are very very laid back, fun loving group. Go see for yourself and enjoy!

Spent the afternoon here with family earlier today. Great time! Lots of kids having fun, as well as adults..and can't beat the price!

Staff is very friendly, great selection of arcade machines and pinball machines. Great place to relax and play some games!

Best arcade in the surrounding area! Well maintained machines, friendly staff, tasty food, & a solid beer selection.

This truly the curated arcade for everyone! They charge $15 entry to support the free-play arcade until close. They are kids friendly and even have step-stools so you can have your kids play the games you loved growing up. They have driving games, shooting games, pinball, airhockey, skeeball, shoot hoops, and more. The staff is extremely kind and serve plenty of food and beer choices--including on tap as well as a strong assortment of bottled and canned beers. There are various parking areas within a block

Great pricing. Great atmosphere. Great staff. and the best beer options around!

$15 all you can play?!?! My family went, and we had so much fun. Very nostalgic, great beer selection. Didn't try the food, but we did have a Yoo-hoo!

Love this place. Clean, fun. Owner Paul is great. A gem to have in Culpeper!

Had a fabulous time with the kids. Definitely a keeper.

Friendly staff, great selection of games, food and beer too

Love this place! Staff is always friendly and hard to beat all you can play for a flat fee

1980s arcade TODAY. All kinds of 80s video games in one great place. Total 80s vibe in the best possible way. Great staff, great location. Can't wait to go back.

I love this place for Culpeper . No reason to get pissy about the cover you won't beat the beer prices. You'd spend more in cash playing megatouch at a bar back in the day. Don't sleep on the poppers.

Awesome place! Great prices and great games. Really hope that do well. Will be back to visit many times!

Nice people good food for the company team building gathering

Fun place and owner was awesome dude to chat with and have a beer with. I will be back again this Friday.

Very nice place prices very good very nice to all the customers

It would be nice if you could get someone on the phone to answer a question or two. Interesting business plan, keep them guessing.

Lots fun for extroverts.

Totally radical place ???? great games, food, drinks and prices.

Newest pinball games. Woot!

Wonderful food and atmosphere ??.

Such a great addition to downtown Culpeper!! Old school 80s vibe with a modern feel (all you can play for 15 bucks - sometimes cheaper). The selection of games is top notch. They keep it fresh and fun with multiple events throughout each season and the food is great. Can cocktails and great beer options as well. Kid friendly with a great balance of the Kid to adult ratio. ?? Also make sure to join their text club to stay in the know with everything they have going on! Def in the ?going out rotation?

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 pinball tables still good in this modern age?

Yes, pinball tables in arcades remain a blast. Their hands-on, skill-driven gameplay delivers a thrill digital games can’t match, blending nostalgia with modern flair. Newer tables from Stern and Jersey Jack feature LCD screens and themes like Avengers or Stranger Things, keeping things exciting. Arcades are seeing a pinball resurgence with vibrant scenes and tournaments like IFPA events drawing crowds. Though less common than video games, pinball’s tactile charm and community vibe make it a standout arcade experience in 2025.

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.