The Cove Bar And Arcade

The Cove Bar and Arcade is what happens when someone realizes that drunk people love video games and decides to build a business model around that revelation. Located on the Strip but tucked away enough that you might miss it, this place combines cheap happy hour drinks with a solid arcade setup, which is basically a recipe for losing track of time. It's not trying to be anything revolutionary—just a fun spot where you can day-drink and play Street Fighter without judgment.

Happy Hour Breakdown

Monday through Friday, 2-6pm is when the magic happens. You're looking at $5 drafts, $6 wells, and $8 wings, which is shockingly reasonable for a Strip location. The wings aren't going to change your life, but for eight bucks during happy hour, they're a solid move to soak up the cheap beer. The wells are poured respectfully, and the draft selection isn't embarrassing. Basically, you can get a decent buzz going without spending rent money, which on the Strip qualifies as a miracle.

The Arcade Situation

They've got a legit collection of classic and newer arcade games—not just two broken machines in the corner as an afterthought. We're talking fighting games, racing games, shooters, and some vintage cabinets that'll hit you with nostalgia. The games are reasonably priced (usually a dollar or less per play), and there's enough variety that your whole group can find something. The competitive energy gets real when the drinks start flowing, and suddenly everyone's a gaming expert despite not having touched a controller in five years.

Who Ends Up Here

The crowd skews younger—lots of millennials reliving their childhood and Gen Z discovering that arcade games are actually fun when you're buzzed. You'll see groups of friends, some casual daters who needed a less awkward activity than staring at each other over dinner, and convention folks escaping whatever corporate hell brought them to Vegas. Weekday happy hours are chill enough that you can actually play games without waiting, while weekend nights get packed and loud in the best way.

Strategic Drinking & Gaming

Here's your move: arrive right at 2pm on a weekday, grab the happy hour deals, and settle in for a few hours. The combination of cheap drinks and games means you can entertain yourself for way less than most Strip activities. Just pace yourself—gaming performance drops significantly after drink three, and you'll be pissed when you lose to some 19-year-old at Mario Kart because you thought you could handle another well whiskey.

The Cove isn't fancy, but it's honest fun at honest prices in a city that often offers neither. Solid happy hour, good games, and zero pretense. Sometimes that's all you need.