Talia Gray, Features Editor
Talia’s Tastes is a food and lifestyle column that highlights the various experiences available in the Greensboro area.
Now that spooky season has come to a close and November has returned with an extra hour of sleep as well as an enhanced crispness to the air, you may be looking for indoor activities to do on the weekends. If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this issue of Talia’s Tastes, we will continue our series on Bars to Visit in Greensboro. In the last installment, I shared two of my “Classic Bar” recommendations. In this go-around, we’ll look at “Bars with a Twist;” in other words, bars with activities or attractions outside of food and libations.
Be sure to stay on the lookout for the next two installments of this series, where I’ll discuss “Bars to Visit for the Aesthetic” as well as “Bars for the Beer and Tap Lovers”. For now, let’s turn our attention to Downtown Greensboro for “Bars with a Twist”.
Boxcar Bar + Arcade
Boxcar’s Greensboro location is one of the four locations in North Carolina. Boxcar is a quintessential ‘barcade’ that encourages patrons to “Drink. Play. Hang.” and have “the ultimate drinking and gaming experience!” (Boxcar website). If you’re a fan of that nostalgic arcade environment, and good vibes, I recommend visiting Boxcar.
Eats
Boxcar’s pizza kitchen offers freshly made “artisan pizzas, soft pretzels and other munchies” (menu). Now, it is my policy that I offer as much transparency in these reviews as possible, so I must admit that I am not a fan of pizza. As I write this, I know some may find this perspective flabbergasting, but it is simply a result of eating too much pizza in my youth. All that to say, despite my aversion to pizza in most circumstances, Boxcar’s pizza kitchen is a lovely addition to a night out with friends. According to their website, each component of their pies is made “in-house, from scratch, using fresh ingredients and no preservatives.” The moment you bite into a slice, it is clear that they’re a step above other run of the mill pizza spots. Personally, I recommend trying a Classic Cheese or Pepperoni slice, so you can fully appreciate the care they put into their dough, sauce, and toppings.
Vibes
Boxcar’s atmosphere is both relaxed and electrifying. As one of the most popular bars in the downtown area, Boxcar is often an ideal place for a casual night out where you can meet new people. The moment you walk in, the colorful murals on the walls and the flashing lights of the arcade games captivate you and teleport you to the old school arcades of the past. Amongst the games available, there is a mixture of traditional arcade games like pinball, skee-ball, foosball, and Pac-Man, as well as more contemporary favorites like Guitar Hero and Mario Kart. The beauty of Boxcar’s construction is that even on their busier nights, there are typically several games open for players. Now, should you have to wait for a particularly popular game, it is my experience that patrons are typically accommodating and willing to take turns or wait patiently. So, if you’re a gamer looking for nostalgic vibes, Boxcar might be the place for you.
It is important to also point out that Boxcar often has events, daily specials, and themed nights, so I would recommend checking their calendar just in case they have an event you’re particularly interested in, like trivia or karaoke! So, if you’re looking for an indoor activity to do with a small group of friends, or a creative date night idea, I’d recommend visiting Boxcar Bar + Arcade.
Bourbon Bowl
Now, just a few yards away, you will find another “Bar with a Twist” called Bourbon Bowl. Bourbon Bowl proclaims to offer “Greensboro’s longest bar,” alongside “6 full-service bowling lanes.” They claim to have “the ingredients for a memorable experience to be enjoyed by all,” and this reviewer agrees.
Eats
Bourbon Bowl’s menu features a variety of craft foods that may appeal to the masses. They take on an elevated approach to typical bar or bowling alley food, making Bourbon Bowl ideal for a sit-down dinner for those disinterested in bowling. During your visit, I recommend trying their “Caribbean Pasta” or one of the entrees featuring the brisket.
Vibes
Bourbon Bowl is an easily recognizable staple of Greensboro’s downtown area, as it features an aesthetically pleasing outdoor seating area as well as a large eye-catching water fountain. Upon entering the bar, the warmly lit industrial-style décor grabs your attention and invites patrons in. Past the large dining and bar area, you can see 6 bowling lanes with plush seating offered on the other side of the bar. On your first visit, I encourage you to reserve a lane and perhaps enjoy a couple of appetizers. Lane rates range from $30 to $45 depending on the day/time, so I encourage newcomers to check the website for more details. The service is excellent in both the dining area and the bowling lanes, making each experience feel intentionally curated.
The next time you’re looking for an indoor activity on a crisp fall night, consider visiting Boxcar or Bourbon Bowl for a fun and spirited night out. Both offer unique experiences within the heart of Greensboro’s downtown area.
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Headline image from Bourbon Bowl.
