Lauren Cusimano

Cobra Arcade Bar

801 N. 2nd St., #100 Phoenix, AZ 85004

Hours: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. daily.

Cobra Arcade Bar is pure nerdy fun with an arty bent. Vintage games operated by Cobra-stamped tokens line the interior and take up much of the space. Murals by local artists cover the walls. Valley DJs drop mixes every weekend and keep the energy level as frenetic as a Red Bull-fueled deathmatch while bartenders serve geeky signature cocktails like the Garbage Pail Kid and the Punch Out. When Cobra gets as crowded as a comicon (which is often), head a few doors down to Hi-Score Club, its anime-themed lounge. Hang out with the other gaijin, play Japanese import games, or quaff cocktails from mugs shaped like fugu. Kanpai!