Good to know
FAQ.
Where we are, when we're open, what it costs to play, and how to book the back room. Regent Street, Redfern; two minutes from the station.
Visiting
Turning up
Where are you?
Regent Street, Redfern. Two minutes' walk from Redfern Station, turn left out of the gate. If you've hit the wine bars, you've gone too far.
What is this place, exactly?
A bar with working arcade and pinball machines in it. Cold beer, low lights, the Godzilla LE, and about [XX] other machines. You drink, you play, you lose six straight games of Street Fighter II to your mate Dave. It's a pub night that happens to have something to do.
Do I need to book?
No. Walk in, grab a table, grab a beer. Booking is for functions and big groups; for a normal Thursday, just turn up.
Is there a cover charge?
No cover. The machines take credits; the door doesn't take anything.
When are you open?
[Open Tues–Sun, hours TBC — insert real trading hours.] Pinball Night runs [day/time]. The crowd lands from about 5pm and builds through the evening.
How much does it cost to play?
[$X per credit / $X for a card.] Some machines are set to free play on [night]; check the card on the cabinet.
Do the machines actually work?
Yes. They're maintained properly and most of them are older than the staff. If one won't behave, tell the bar; we'll fix it in five minutes or refund the credit. Don't kick it.
What machines have you got?
The lineup rotates. Always in: the Godzilla LE, Street Fighter II, Pac-Man, [Daytona twin-seater], and [XX] others across pinball and arcade. Dave drives in from out of area for [specific machine]; ask at the bar what's currently on the floor.
Is there food?
[Confirm food offer — kitchen menu / platters / pies, etc.] At minimum there's a starter platter on the function menu.
Can I bring kids?
No. Beercade is licensed and the crowd is mid-thirties and up. The machines are great; the room isn't built for a kids' party.
Is it any good for a date?
Better than another dinner. Low lights, something to do with your hands, and you find out fast whether they're a gracious loser. Jess and Tom found us on Instagram and didn't book a restaurant again.
Can I get there without driving?
The train. Two minutes from Redfern Station. There's [limited street parking / no dedicated parking] if you must drive, but the whole point is you can have the long pour and still get home.
Do you take walk-in groups?
Small ones, sure. Once you're past [8–10] people on a busy night, do yourself a favour and book the back room; see below.
Functions and bookings
Organising a group
Short version: we’ve got a back room built for it, the enquiry is one email, and groups your size have done this before and left happy.
How do I enquire?
Email hello@beercade.com.au with your date, rough headcount, and the occasion. You'll get a real reply with a held window and a full breakdown, not a form letter. [Or call [phone].]
How big a group can you take?
The back room comfortably holds [XX–XX]. It's got four pinball tables and the Daytona twin-seater in it, so the group isn't queuing for one machine all night. Larger than that, ask; we'll tell you honestly whether it works.
What does it cost?
As a guide: a group of 18 lands at about $40 a head with a starter platter and a four-hour drinks tab. Final number depends on headcount, food, and how long the bar's open. You'll get the full breakdown in writing before you commit to anything.
What's included?
[Confirm inclusions:] the back room reserved for your window, [X] machines on free play for the group, a starter platter, and a drinks tab to your nominated limit. Add-ons — [extra catering, longer tab, exclusive use] — on request.
Do you do exclusive venue hire?
[Yes/No — confirm.] For most groups the back room is enough and the rest of the venue stays open. Whole-venue hire is possible on [quieter nights]; ask early.
How far ahead should I book?
Two to four weeks is normal. Popular dates and Friday/Saturday windows go earlier. If your date's flexible, a midweek booking is easier to lock and the room's all yours.
Is there a deposit?
[Yes — $X or X% to hold the date, applied to your final bill. Confirm terms.] The held window stays yours once the deposit's in.
Can you cater for dietaries?
[Confirm.] Tell us when you enquire — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies — and it's handled on the platter and any add-on food.
Can I see what other groups have done?
Yes; there are photos of real function nights on [Instagram / the functions page]. Real groups, real Thursday-night room, no stock models pretending to play.
What's the run of a function night?
You arrive to a reserved room and machines ready to go. People drift between the tables and the bar; nobody's herded through an agenda. The last group of 18 we hosted left at 11:45 swearing it was the best birthday they'd been to.
Can I bring a cake / decorations?
[Confirm policy.] A cake's usually fine. Keep decorations off the machines; they're working equipment, not props.
What if I need to change the numbers or the date?
Tell us as early as you can. Headcount can flex up to [X days] out; date changes depend on availability. We'd rather sort it than have you stress about it.
Questions this doesn’t answer: email hello@beercade.com.au or ask at the bar.