Cobra Arcade Bar

Phoenix has a handful of arcade bars. Cobra is the one where the cocktails would survive on their own if you removed every game cabinet from the room. That matters because most arcade bar concepts treat the drink program as an afterthought — beer buckets and two cocktails that taste like they were designed by committee. Cobra does not do that, which is why the regulars come back even when all they want is something good to drink in a room with a good energy.

The arcade is legitimately excellent. 50+ cabinets covering four decades of gaming: Street Fighter II, Pac-Man, Galaga, Donkey Kong, Centipede, a bank of pinball machines, and Skee-Ball lanes that get competitive after a couple of rounds. The machines are maintained properly, which is more unusual than it should be. All games are free with the purchase of a drink, which means you pay bar prices for your drinks and receive the games as part of the experience rather than feeding quarters all night.

The bar program runs 12 rotating draft taps with a strong emphasis on Arizona and regional craft breweries — Mudshark, Four Peaks, SanTan, and rotating guests. The cocktail menu changes seasonally and consistently offers 2 to 3 low-ABV and non-alcoholic options that are treated with the same care as the full-proof drinks. For a different kind of Phoenix bar experience, The Ostrich offers rooftop cocktails in the Arts District a short drive away.