I spent an evening at Merced’s retro arcade. What I got on a $25 budget
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Menu has bar fare, burgers start at $6.50; daily food and drink deals.
- $25 can cover a meal and games; upstairs games (shuffleboard, darts) free with purchase.
- Most games cost $1 or less; an ATM and change machine are available on-site.
An arcade on Main Street is home to dozens of vintage video games and modern classics alike.
Joystiq arcade bar opened in 2023 and has become a popular downtown spot for families and students. The Merced Sun-Star previously reported on Joystiq, owned by Andy Beltran, when it opened.
The downtown business is advertised as an arcade, bar and kitchen with standard bar fare including nachos, loaded fries, burgers and a variety of wings and sauces.
As part of the On A Budget series, which focuses on affordable food and fun in Merced County, I stopped by to see how budget-friendly the Merced spot really is.
What is for sale at Joystiq Arcade?
I moved to Merced last fall and have been on the hunt for fun, affordable things to do by myself and with friends, so I was excited to visit Joystiq to check out its games and vibes.
As soon as I stepped in, I could feel the retro atmosphere. I was greeted by a row of pinball machines, each with its own theme: “Stranger Things,” “Dr. No,” Godzilla, “Jaws” and more. John Hughes’ 1984 movie “Sixteen Candles” starring Molly Ringwald was playing on a huge screen on the wall.
At a square bar in the center of the large downstairs area, you can order drinks and watch a movie or sports game — on one of eight screens, two on each side of the bar.
The bar offers daily drink specials that include $6 margaritas on Tuesdays, $4 beer on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and $10 signature cocktails on Thursdays.
To order food, there’s a second counter behind the bar, or you can order on a tablet between the two. The regular menu includes simple and deluxe hamburgers, garlic fries, onion rings, jalapeño poppers and roasted Brussels sprouts, as well as pizza, chicken tenders and wings.
Joystiq has daily food specials Tuesday through Thursday that offer reduced prices on many of the regular menu items. On Tuesdays, tacos are five for $10, and on Wednesdays, pizzas are $10.
The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday . Tuesday through Thursday, it opens at 3 p.m. and closes at midnight. On Friday, it is open from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. On Saturday and Sunday, Joystiq opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 2 a.m. on Saturday and 10 p.m. on Sunday.
What types of games can you play there?
The arcade has all types of games.
Behind the pinball machines and the bar are dozens of different arcade games like air hockey, Dance Dance Revolution and Big Buck Hunter. There are plenty of games appropriate for younger children and even a miniature air hockey table for kids.
Most games cost $1 to play, though some are 25 or 50 cents each. All the game machines take quarters, and there are an ATM and a change machine by the restrooms.
Upstairs is a cornhole court, a shuffleboard table and a dartboard, all of which are free with any purchase. There are also some specialty versions of Pac-man upstairs, including a multiplayer table for up to four people.
The upstairs area is much quieter than the main floor, offering an option for those looking to have a relaxed evening or a conversation uninterrupted by the sounds of gaming and music.
Behind the food counter, I spotted a collection of board games you can request if you come with a group of friends. The pile was stacked high with games including Sorry!, Checkers, Settlers of Catan, Jenga, Uno and more.
How I spent my $25 budget at Joystiq
Joystiq offers the gamut of typical bar foods, with burgers starting at $6.50 and five wings for $9.25. Appetizers run between $5.50 and $10, and the platter with a sample of everything goes for $15.
Fountain drinks are $3 and signature cocktails are $14, aside from the specials each day .
I deliberated for a while on what to order but settled on the loaded fries, which come with nacho cheese, jalapeños, guacamole, pico de gallo and sour cream. For an extra $3 or $4 , the fries also come with a choice of chicken, lamb or steak. I also got a Diet Coke for $3.
My food was ready quickly at a counter in the back.
After tax, my total came to $17.32. I tipped $2.50, bringing the total food cost to just under $20.
I spent my remaining $5 on quarters for the games and played Fireball-branded ski ball, a Simpsons action game, pinball, and Guitar Hero. I was pleasantly surprised that with a $5 budget, I could play games for nearly an hour after dinner.
It struck me as the perfect place for a birthday party, especially upstairs, where there is plenty of space around the cornhole court. I learned the arcade is open to children and adults under 21 until except after 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. You must be 21 or older to sit at the bar, though.
Is Merced’s arcade bar affordable?
Joystiq has a ton of games and most of the video games are $1 or less to play. There are also games that are free with purchase like shuffleboard, darts and a long list of board games.
The food and drink prices are pretty standard for a Main Street bar, but the daily specials for each offer even more affordable options.
Overall, you can definitely enjoy Joystiq on a $25 budget.
This story was originally published February 14, 2026 at 6:00 AM.
