Barflyy Retro Bar And Arcade

Foods just okay and the inside can be a bit chaotic! If you get over stimulated easily, I don't suggest this place.

I've been coming to Barflyy a few times a year for the past couple years, and it really appears to have changed recently. It used to be super fun and had a laid-back college dance club vibe where everyone was just dancing and having a good time together, but now after my last visit, it seems to have changed for the worse. Some of the crowd was extremely rough compared to the crowds at other neighboring Kent bars, with a few groups of rude and aggressive people forcefully cutting in line to get in, cutting in line for drinks, and cutting in line for the bathroom. They were also aggressively pushing everyone around as they forced their way throughout the venue, with an attitude that they were looking for a fight if anyone dared to say anything. The bar's in-house security, who are typcailly pretty strict and even somewhat unfriendly towards patrons, just watched it happen and never once did anything. There was also no off-duty Kent Police officer stationed at the door like there usually is, which was not encouraging at all. I'm not the type of person who gets uncomfortable at bars, but I definitely did not feel particularly safe this last visit, and our group left much earlier than normal because of it. The bar really should consider hiring additional security staff, limiting capacity to smaller crowds for better crowd visibility and ease of movement throughout the venue, and mabye even installing a walk-through security screening checkpoint at the door for use on busy nights. Any positive changes that they can make to keep the crowd feeling more comfotable should definitely be a priority. It's also notable that some parts of the facility are in need of repair, with some vandalized fixtures in the bathroom being completely useless, including the automatic soap dispenser. Their drinks are still pretty reasonanly priced and the bartenders are relatively efficient, so that's a positive. Overall, I hope that the venue is able to deal with their issues and remain in business, as it truly used to be a fun place.

Came here after dinner for a quick drink and to check out the arcade. Full service bar so plenty of beer and cocktails and mixed drinks to pick from. Got a Tom Collins and headed over to the arcade. All of the games are rigged to be free to play which is a really nice touch. There were about 15-20 games if I had to guess. Things like Tetris, Frogger, TMNT, NBA Jam, Mortal Kombat, and more. It was nice to be able to have fun and not be stressed about dying since they were free to play. The games weren't overcrowded and people were respectful of play time. It is in a college town so can't say it's always like that, but fortunately it was for when we went. They do have a kitchen as well, I didn't get anything to eat this time but a friend told me that it's just your standard bar food, nothing too good, but given the prices hard to complain. Ultimately a nice little stop on your way home or a fun way to catch up.

I am a total newb to the Barflyy scene, post-Covid or not. Well, technically not post-Covid because who knows when that will be, but I never danced it up here before so I'm not sure exactly how poppin' things were. I will say the restrictions were set in place to prevent any hanging out with people you didn't know which I totally understand and dancing was off the table. Not on the table. We all know dancing on the table is the best way to do it anyways. For shame!No video games because duh, cleanliness. It was a little sad to be at a place I felt like I couldn't really enjoy, but I was just so happy to be out at a bar with my chickie-doo that I let the awkwardness disappear. We had a very down to earth gentleman named Jeremy as our bartender who was very friendly and thoughtful. I know it was such a pain for them to be wearing those masks with how hot it was this weekend but he fought through the heat and even chatted with us a bit. I'll never forget our talks about retro pie + Raspberry Pi's, J-Man. I'm nicknaming him now because obviously that's the type of bond that ensued.He was replaced by another guy named Brady who was sarcastic and funny - I enjoy a person with good wit!I think my only complaint is that neither of these two felt super experienced and that's OKAY, but being a person who bartended for a long time, I felt like I had to explain things that I didn't expect. Again, they haven't been pouring drinks for a hot minute because of our current predicaments, so I really didn't judge them too harshly. Simply a word of advice to upper management re: training on the basics. Maybe I'm just old and want things they don't know! That, my friends, is sadly, also possible. Not like they can really grab their phones and start googling with all the safety precautions going on, so I totally get it.The patio was definitely really cool and probably without video games was the biggest draw for me! Shoo-flyy-don't-bother-me.

I'm about to get real here. After reading about this place in the paper, online, talked to friends, I decided to check this place out with my children. Let me tell you... first and foremost, THIS IS A BAR. They wanted to maximize profits by offering something for kids during the day, but honestly, I am NEVER taking my kids back. All the arcades worked, but not all worked properly. There were some popular ones, such as Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter and Centipede. All of them clustered a bit close together in a far corner. All of them free. So, a little good and a little bad. Take it as it is.There is plenty of seating for table top games or hanging out. Loved the poker table in the far corner opposite the arcades. Couches and great decor. Plenty of high tables and chairs and eating areas. For a bar, it's totally awesome. For a family afternoon? NOPE!Kids eat free on Sunday. I expected it to be packed. Imagine my surprise when we walk in at noon and it was EMPTY! I can understand why now... we promptly ordered our food and drinks and it took an hour!!! With only one family in front of us, why did it take an hour for 2 bagel sandwiches, kids Mac & cheese and some tenders? The food itself was mediocre. I mean, I didn't expect high class, but at least make it a bagel if you say you serve bagel sandwiches! I got a bread like substance with a cheese filled hole! Keep in mind it was even a cheese that I didn't recognized nor ordered! There was no tomato even when the description called for one and it was supposed to all be on an onion bagel!!!! On top of the mediocre sandwich, which included Cool Ranch Doritos, my Doritos bag was covered in grease and hair! Why?!?!The kids menu consists of three things. My youngest son ordered the kid's Mac n cheese. They burnt it. He didn't eat anything. He doesn't care to go back.All of their fries are covered in Old Bay. Not my thing. If you get fountain drinks, you have to keep going back to the counter for a refill. Horrible if you have kids who drink as much as they eat.They had two cooks only and one had NO IDEA what he was doing. You can tell the more experienced one was giving orders on what to do.IT IS A BAR!!!! Hanging with adult friends? Cool place to be. Drinks and games? Great!Family place? HELL NO! Want a burger or wings? NOT HERE.I was very less than impressed and won't be returning with the fam. By myself? Eh.... maybe? But not when I'm hungry. I'll go eat somewhere else first.

What a great addition to the Kent area. We went during December holiday break and took a group of our kids friends. On a Friday afternoon we basically had the place to ourselves, we were surprised but loved that! Also know this place is newer and KSU was on break. They do have a limited counter service menu, we ordered pizzas, fries and a bagel sandwich which you can "build your own"The pizza is so so, but the fries were fantastic!The kitchen/counter service guys are awesome. Friendly and helpful!Free game play, our kids barely paused to eat a few bites. Fine with me, we got more fries! Ha!

Barflyy is so unique compared to everywhere else in Kent. When you walk in, it is a big open space. The interior gives off 90s/2000s vibes. There is a large bar area, regular seating, the section with the arcade games, then off to the right are couch areas. The walls have a collage of different throw backs such as the Jonas Brothers, MySpace, and more. Each time I looked, I saw something different.To order food, you go up to the order counter where the menu is displayed. At each table they also have pads of paper with the menu to write in your order. The menu has some pretty cool items on it that I would love to go back and try. I went for the chicken and fries with the special sauce. The food came out before my friend and I got our drinks at the bar. It was hot and delicious! The fries were the perfect crunch and seasoned well. The chicken was really good, but we both wished there was one more piece. After we ate, we went over to the arcade games to play. Some of the machines have cup holders on them so that you can set your drink down and focus on playing. There is a wide variety of arcade games to play from pac man to Tetris to super Mario. They were all so fun to play!I think this place will get very popular and be a place to hangout with friends. All ages can be there with an adult from 11:30-5:00.

Tried going out to barfly Saturday night with a friend only to be told at the door that we could no get in they don't open till 10 to general public because of fraternity date night. Alright fine asked could we stay in doorway to avoid rain as we were asking that some poor assuming drunk girl was literally yoked up by the security and forcibly thrown out of the bar on to the side saying quote " get that b***h outta here. I want it to be know I never seen something so disgusting and am very upset this was my first impression. I do hope yall improve and if know that girl apologize

I could hear the bouncers making fun of me and my friends at the bar with other staff. There is also only 5 arcade games so why even bother having arcade in the name.

Was told I could not get in (as a man) because I was wearing a sleeveless shirt that covered my entire torso. Many women were wearing tube tops that were much much more revealing than mine. I also spoke to a man who was wearing a white fish net shirt in which was showing his nipples and skin all over his torso, he told me that he was given no trouble when coming in. Akron is better and much more inclusive. Barflyy and Kent in general are trash. Unless your are a heterosexual white cis person, don't go here. It's a pity and pathetic.