Eighties nostalgia is in the air, and it’s firmly established as part of the zeitgeist. You’re not alone in the desire to relive your love of 1980s big-hair metal bands, revisit classic films like “The Breakfast Club” and “Dirty Dancing,” dress up with shoulder pads and parachute pants — or just get in on the vibes with a binge session of “Stranger Things.” But nothing screams 1980s like a vintage arcade with classic games from your youth like NBA Jam, Frogger, or the ultimate classic, Pac-Man, which made its debut in 1980, kicking off the decade’s obsession with all things arcade.
Residents of the One Manhattan Square condos can indulge in their love of arcades and games without ever leaving the premises. Of course, there’s plenty of fun to be found in the building’s more than 100,000 square feet of amenity space. In addition to the condo’s dedicated arcade, fit for amusing (and impressing) guests, there’s the billiards room for a more sophisticated gaming experience — no joystick or tickets required. And that’s on top of the squash courts and golf simulator. This is just a sample of the full suite of opportunities available to entertain you and make you feel like a kid again (or a dapper adult with a mean handicap on the links).
But if you’re in the mood for venturing outside of home into the Lower East Side, a visit to Two Bit’s Retro Arcade is in order. This throwback arcade on Essex Street is fit for adults, offering a cocktail list, beer, and wine — there are happy hours and daily specials, too — as well as a satisfyingly simple menu of pizza, nachos, and snacks.
The main attraction at Two Bit’s Retro Arcade, however, is undoubtedly the games. With 25 arcade classics to choose from — including Street Fighter II Champion Edition, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, NBA Jam Tournament Edition, and Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga — as well as a collection of pinball machines, the tricky part will be deciding which game deserves your time, skills, and hard-earned quarters.
Whether you’re looking to entertain friends with a change in your regular weekend haunts, or just want to feel like an eighties kid again, a visit to the arcade, either at Two Bit’s Retro Arcade or at the One Manhattan Square condos, will transport you to a gaming paradise, all close to home.