There’s An Arcade Bar In Indiana And It Will Take You Back In Time

South Bend, Indiana, sometimes gets a lot of flak. Like Gary, it's a bit of a controversial place: Hoosiers either love it or they hate it (we love 'em both). Well, we found a reason you might fall in love with South Bend after all: nestled in the heart of downtown is The Garage, an epic arcade filled with retro games and adult libations. The delightful array of arcade games, delicious drinks, and old-school fun is just too much to pass up. When it comes to arcade bars in Indiana, The Garage is a vastly underappreciated hidden gem in the heart of South Bend. The locals love it - and soon, you will too.

As soon as you walk in, you'll notice the old-school vibe with a modern splash.

The atmosphere is perfectly curated to feel as authentic and epic as possible. It also manages to be a warm, friendly joint at the same time. Everyone here will soon be your new friends.

The atmosphere is perfectly curated to feel as authentic and epic as possible. It also manages to be a warm, friendly joint at the same time. Everyone here will soon be your new friends.

Mosey on up to the bar and choose from a selection of drinks that are as tasty as they are beautiful.

The bartenders at The Garage are highly skilled and can whip you up the perfect concoction to warm up for the night.

From there, dive into the arcade, where you'll have more than 40 games spanning across every genre you can think of.

You'll find classic arcade cabinet games like Asteroids, Street Fighter II, and Mario Bros.

Of course, cabinets aren't all they've got - you can easily get lost for hours playing pinball or having a blast playing the console games in the loft.

Dive in to your old favorite old console games on three large-screen TVs, and sip your favorite drinks (or have a snack) while you're at it. To say this place is "fun" is the understatement of the century.

Quite possibly the best part? The games are free to play.

No need to rub your eyes, you're not dreaming: purchase a drink or snack (good luck choosing just one!) and the entire arcade is yours to conquer.

The Garage is perfect for a date night, birthday bashes (they do those), or even just stopping in on your own to unwind for a while in nostalgia-land.

At the time of this writing, The Garage Arcade Bar is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays, so make sure to plan accordingly! Also, keep in mind that The Garage is a 21 and over establishment - find a sitter for the little ones and come out to have a blast!

For a more thorough list of the bar's arcade games, as well as the current menu and drinks, make sure to visit the official website.

So, what are your thoughts? What are your favorite arcade bars in Indiana? For another one of our faves, check out this article about an arcade bar in Indy.