Barcade

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Some people's idea of a romantic nightspot involves candles, slow jams, and a heart-shaped box of candy. But for girls on the hunt for that elusive small-torsoed, tight-jeaned, floppy-haired species known as the Emoboyis Williamsburgus, there's no better pick-up spot than Barcade. Here, finding and chatting up prime specimens is as easy as shooting fish in a barrel—or, more accurately, as easy as shooting aliens in Galaxian, one of more than thirty vintage arcade games that give Barcade its name. The airy, loft-like space never feels crowded, and there’s plenty of room to sit and watch Union Avenue’s finest compete for high scores of all varieties. Most importantly, the rotating list of more than 20 microbrews includes many local beers on tap. The heavyweight ones, with names like Dark Horse Perkaulator and higher-than-usual alcohol contents, may be just what’s needed to seal the deal with that dude in the faded Smiths T-shirt—or to sabotage your opponent at two-player Tetris. — Emily Gould

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