The Archives

Burlington’s retro barcade has great drinks, too.

By Molly McDonough

With its three-dozen vintage pinball and arcade games, this bar is proof that the Queen City really does have it all. Australian transplant Matt Walters opened The Archives in 2016 in the building that housed the Burlington Free Press for 187 years (hence the newspaper clippings on the wall). Come here to find out why arcades are even more fun in 2019. Shoot zombies in House of the Dead 2 while sipping an OG Sazerac. Blow up asteroids with one hand and hold a beer from Hill Farmstead Brewery in the other. Celebrate with a Tyku Black sake when you beat the androids in Robotron. Bostonian pinball players will also appreciate the value: most games are 25 cents, which is close to retro pricing, too.

The Archives

191 College Street, Burlington, VT


  • Insider Tip

No need to save those quarters in anticipation of a visit here; you can use a credit or debit card at the coin machine.

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