Notes: New arcade bar prepares for “beta test” opening in Alexandria

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Sunday, July 13, the 194th day of 2025. There are 171 days left in the year.

⛈️ Today’s weather: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 88 degrees. Southeast wind 3 to 6 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%.

🚨 You need to know

Continues Arcade, the highly anticipated gaming venue at 1050 N Fayette Street in Alexandria, announced Saturday that it will open its doors within the next week or two. In an email to subscribers, the business described its upcoming launch as a “beta test” – borrowing terminology from the gaming industry to describe a soft opening approach that allows operators to refine their service while getting feedback from early customers.

The arcade bar will begin operations with dinner-only service for its first weekend, featuring a limited menu as staff work to “lock everything in” and ensure optimal guest service. Owner Allen Brooks explained that this phased approach allows the team to perfect operations before gradually expanding hours, menu offerings, and game selections in subsequent weeks. The venue promises comprehensive gaming experiences once fully operational, with plans for daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner service.

Brooks, whose gaming passion began with a Super Nintendo received for Christmas 1991, envisions Continues as “a portal to nostalgia” that recreates the magic of nights spent with friends around great games and food. The venue features over 50 original arcade cabinets spanning games from the 1970s to today, along with Skee Ball, pinball machines, and claw machines stocked with unique prizes including local art, vintage SNES cartridges, and free dinners. The business emphasizes authentic gameplay over prize redemption, operating exclusively on tokens with traditional arcade etiquette like placing tokens on marquees to challenge opponents.

Brooks brings diverse experience to the venture, having worked in startups, served as a producer at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, run a high school theater program, and worked briefly as a professional actor. He currently serves on the boards of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, Christopher Newport University Education Foundation, and Heard Alexandria, while also participating in the National Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council.

Continues Arcade represents a new entertainment option for Alexandria residents, combining classic arcade experiences with food and beverage service. The business has partnered with Wyrmwood for custom tables and promises subscribers and social media followers will be the first to know when doors officially open, with construction nearly complete pending final permits.

For more information and updates, visit https://www.continuesarcade.com/.

Here’s what else you need to know

🇫🇷 Alexandria is marking Bastille Day, which is on Monday, with a week of French-themed celebrations, featuring fine dining, family activities, and an evening 5K race.

🗓️ Here’s our roundup of all the events, live music, and entertainment happening around Alexandria this weekend.

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📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria.