Most of us remember the sound before anything else: a chime, a burst of 8-bit music and a cabinet glowing in a dark room. The Retro Room brings that feeling back to Belfast. It is a vintage video arcade at Yorkgate, packed with original 70s, 80s and 90s cabinets, classic consoles and tabletop games. The venue describes itself as Belfast’s only vintage video arcade, and it is a featured business in LinkUp NI’s Arts, Leisure & Entertainment directory.
Below, we look at how the pricing works, which games you can play, what the special events involve and how to book the venue for a party or a work night out.
What Is The Retro Room in Belfast?
The Retro Room is a retro arcade in Belfast built around original machines rather than modern reproductions. You will find a wide selection of arcade cabinets from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Alongside them sit classic consoles that hold thousands of games between them, plus unique tabletop games and a few oddities. As a result, there is plenty to explore even if you have never held a joystick.
The arcade is based at Cityside at Yorkgate, in Belfast city centre. That makes it easy to combine with a trip into town, and there is free parking at Cityside for anyone driving.
How Much Does It Cost to Play?
Entry is £7 per person per hour. After that, every game is free to play. There are no coins to hunt for and no per-game charge, so nobody has to watch their change.
That pricing works well for groups. For example, four friends playing for two hours would pay £56 in total, and everyone can play whatever they like for as long as they like. By contrast, a coin-operated arcade is harder to budget for, because the cost depends on how many lives you burn through.
The Games You Can Play
The Retro Room mixes cabinets from three decades, so there is something for every kind of player. Machines mentioned by the venue include:
- Pac-Man and Donkey Kong, two arcade classics
- Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat for head-to-head fighting
- Sega Rally for racing fans
- Guitar Hero for anyone who wants to play along
- Afterburner, one of the recent additions
- Subbuteo and other tabletop games
In addition, the classic consoles give you thousands more games to try. That means you can spend one hour on a 1980s cabinet and the next on a console game you have not seen since childhood.
Special Events at The Retro Room
The Retro Room holds special events roughly once a month. So far, these have included:
- Robot Wars style robot fighting
- 80s movie screenings with partners at Movie House Cinema
- Racing Deloreans
- Live wrestling
- A Subbuteo World Cup tournament for the 40th anniversary of Mexico 86
Tickets can go quickly. The best way to hear about new events first, and to be first in line for ticket drops, is to join the mailing list through retroroombelfast.com.
Private Hire for Birthdays and Work Nights Out
The venue is available for private hire from Monday to Thursday, 11am to 10pm. It suits birthdays, work nights out and group bookings. Because the arcade is otherwise open to the public from Friday to Sunday, midweek hire gives your group the place to yourselves.
If you are organising a team night, a venue where the games are already part of the price keeps planning simple. Private hire can be booked through the website, so ask about the details for your group size when you get in touch.
Gift Vouchers, Merchandise and Membership
The Retro Room also offers gift vouchers, branded merchandise and a membership programme with exclusive perks. A voucher is a handy present for anyone who grew up on arcade games, and it saves you guessing what to buy. For a birthday, you could pair a voucher with some branded merchandise, or look at the membership programme if the person is likely to visit often.
Why a Retro Arcade Suits a Day Out in Belfast
Retro gaming appeals across the generations. Parents who played Pac-Man as children can introduce the same cabinets to their own kids, and younger players often enjoy how simple the controls are. Because every game is free once you are through the door, nobody has to hold back from trying something unfamiliar.
It also makes a different kind of night out. Rather than sitting across a table, you stand side by side at a cabinet, or compete head to head at Street Fighter II or Mortal Kombat. Likewise, a tabletop game such as Subbuteo gives you a relaxed, sociable option when you want a break from the screens.
Finally, the monthly events turn a simple visit into something worth planning around. Whether you fancy an 80s film or a Subbuteo tournament, the mailing list is the place to start. Because the arcade sits in Belfast city centre, it is also easy to reach before or after other plans.
Planning Your Visit
A few simple points will help you get the most from a trip:
- Check the opening days first, as the arcade is open to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Remember that Monday to Thursday is private hire only
- Budget £7 per person for each hour you plan to stay
- Join the mailing list if you want to catch a special event
- Park for free at Cityside
Opening Hours and How to Find The Retro Room
- Friday and Saturday: 11am to 10pm
- Sunday: 12pm to 8pm
- Monday to Thursday: private hire only, 11am to 10pm
You will find The Retro Room at Cityside, Yorkgate, in Belfast city centre. To get in touch, email retroroombelfast@gmail.com or follow the venue on Facebook. You can also read the full Retro Room listing on LinkUp NI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The Retro Room?
The Retro Room is at Cityside in Yorkgate, Belfast city centre. Free parking is available at Cityside.
How much does it cost to get in?
Entry is £7 per person per hour. Every game is then free to play, with no coins or per-game charges.
When is The Retro Room open?
It is open Friday and Saturday from 11am to 10pm, and Sunday from 12pm to 8pm. From Monday to Thursday, the venue is available for private hire only.
Can I book The Retro Room for a party?
Yes. Private hire is available Monday to Thursday, 11am to 10pm, and can be booked through the website. It works for birthdays, work nights out and group bookings.
What events does The Retro Room run?
The venue holds special events roughly once a month. Past events include robot fighting, 80s film screenings with Movie House Cinema, Delorean racing, live wrestling and a Subbuteo World Cup tournament.
Can I buy a gift voucher?
Yes. Gift vouchers are available, along with branded merchandise and a membership programme with exclusive perks.
Find More Things to Do in Belfast
If you enjoy a day out in the city, browse more local venues and services in the Belfast business directory and the Arts, Leisure & Entertainment category. Run a business in Northern Ireland yourself? You can add your business to LinkUp NI for free, or choose a Featured Listing for £47 for 12 months.
The Retro Room is one of many local venues you can find in the LinkUp NI Northern Ireland business directory.