PLEASE NOTE: Public Hours reopen May 5 and are Walk-In only.
Private Events FAQ
The Private Event booking is for a private rental of the entire arcade.
HOW LONG DO I GET THE ARCADE?
Two hours, exactly the time frame booked. No early arrival. At the end time, all must vacate the arcade.
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN I HAVE?
Your rental includes up to 50 attendees. If you would like to have up to 80 attendees (our current max capacity), each additional attendee over 50 people is at an additional $10.
For example: 60 attendees = your initial cost of $299, plus $10 per person for 10 people, for a total cost of $399.
Please ensure your number of attendees for your booking is correct so that we can staff appropriately. We will count attendees at your event & will require payment for extra attendees if your count is over 50.
CAN I BRING IN FOOD OR DRINKS?
Yes! The Party Room has tables and seating for 14-20 people (depending on how closely they choose to sit; children can sit 3 to a bench) and a central serving table that is 5 feet long. The room is separate from the rest of the arcade to allow you a space to eat. For parties over 40 people, we can also set up another table elsewhere for serving and seating, but we do not have seating for more than 25 people at once. Email info@decadesarcade.com if you would like an extra table set up.
Keep in mind that no food or candy is allowed while actively playing games. You should be in the Party Room or at least seated and not playing a game when eating. Use Hand Sanitizer or wash hands after eating and before touching games. You may have drinks as you walk around the arcade, but no open cups. Drinks must be placed in cupholders or the floor, not on top of any machines. Adult chaperones ensure that children follow these guidelines to ensure our games are not damaged!
You may bring your own NON-GLASS legally-purchased beer or wine pursuant to VA Code § 4.1-200. No glass containers or liquor will be allowed on the premises. Anyone drinking alcohol in your party must be of 21 years of age and must drink responsibly, following our house rules and all applicable laws.
CAN PARENTS DROP OFF CHILDREN ANYTIME?
Any child attending a party must be supervised by an adult chaperone attendee of the party. You as the party host and the other adult chaperones who are attending with you should arrange to meet with all your party guests in front of our location prior to your arrival time slot at the arcade. If an attendee is running late, an adult chaperone from the party will need to meet them at the front door to confirm they are an invited guest and can be allowed in. No early entry is allowed.
HOW MANY KIDS CAN I BRING WITH ME / HOW MANY CHAPERONES DO I NEED?
We require a ratio of 1 adult per 3 children to ensure rule-following: no running, abusing games, hiding, eating while playing, spilling drinks, or other misconduct. You as the adult are responsible for children’s actions in the arcade. For children 6 & under, we recommend 1 adult per 1 child as they require direct supervision. Ages 3 & under are allowed in with a paying adult at no charge (start them young!).
For more than 10 children, 7 adults is the *minimum* chaperones needed since we have 7 areas of visibility in the arcade.
For example:
5 children? 2 adults required
7 children? 3 adults required
12 children? 7 adults required
25 children? 9 adults required
36 children? 12 adults required
Please do not plan less than the required number of adults per children – if you do, we will contact you ahead of time to adjust your numbers. Responsible teens 16 & up can count as chaperones as long as at least 2 adults over 18 are present.
CAN I DECORATE?
You may have tableclothes or other table decorations, and may hang banners but must do so with painter’s tape only. You must remove all decorations by the end of your event. Glitter and confetti are prohibited. No decorations are allowed outside of the Party Room.
DO YOU HAVE ALCOHOL?
No, we have non-alcoholic drinks in our drink machine.
WHAT ABOUT STORING OR SERVING FOOD?
We do not have anywhere to store food, or hot or cold storage. Coolers are allowed but must be kept in the Party Room. We can provide 1 electrical sockets if you have something like a crock pot you’d like to plug in.
DO I NEED QUARTERS?
No, all 120 games are on free play! You would only need money if you wanted to play the toy crane (1 quarter per play) or get a drink from the drink machine ($1).
ARE YOU ACCESSIBLE FOR PEOPLE WHO USE WHEELCHAIRS?
Yes! Our main entrance is on the pedestrian side of the Downtown Mall and is accessible. The main floor has our ADA bathroom. While we don’t have an elevator inside, our basement level is accessible via our back entrance via alley on Heather Heyer Way. We have a map and more information on our Our Location page. Please inform an Arcade Guardian that you are heading around the block to the downstairs, and we will be at the back door waiting for you!
DO YOU ALLOW RE-ENTRY DURING PUBLIC HOURS?
No, Public Hours are separate from Private Events.
ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO KNOW?
We don’t allow bicycles, strollers, large bags/bookbags because we have to ensure walkways are clear.
We do not allow anyone to enter who is visibly under the influence.
We reserve the right to ask anyone to leave if they have broken any of our arcade rules.
We do not allow fireworks, explosives or weapons of any kind (including anything with a blade or any gun), even with a concealed carry permit.
You may take photos for personal use, but commercial use is prohibited without our written consent.
Certain medical conditions can be triggered by excessive exposure to fast, flashing lights.
Party Room Rental During Public Hours FAQ
The Party Room Rental is for exclusive use of the Party Room for 90 minutes during our Public Hours, and 2-hour passes for your attendees.
CAN I BRING IN FOOD OR DRINKS?
Yes, that’s what the Party Room is for! Keep in mind that no food or candy is allowed in the arcade to protect our games, but the Party Room is where you have to eat! You may have drinks as you walk around the arcade, but no open cups. Drinks must be placed in cupholders or the floor, not on top of any machines. No outside alcohol is allowed.
CAN PARENTS DROP OFF CHILDREN ANYTIME?
Any child attending a party must be supervised by an adult chaperone attendee of the party. You as the party host and the other adult chaperones who are attending with you should arrange to meet with all your party guests in front of our location prior to your arrival time slot at the arcade. All party attendees must enter together at time of your booking. No early entry is allowed.
HOW MANY KIDS CAN I BRING WITH ME?
We require a ratio of 1 adult per 3 children to ensure rule-following: no running, abusing games, hiding, spilling drinks, or other misconduct. You as the adult are responsible for children’s actions in the arcade. For children 6 & under, we recommend 1 adult per 1 child as they require direct supervision. Ages 3 & under are allowed in with a paying adult at no charge (start them young!). The maximum number of attendees for a party during Public Hours is 20; the maximum number of children is 15, as you will need 5 adult chaperones.
WHAT IS THE SET UP?
The Party Room has tables and seating for 14-20 people (depending on how closely they choose to sit; children can sit 3 to a bench) and a central serving table that is 5 feet long. The room is separate from the rest of the arcade to allow you a private space to eat and open presents. You may enter and exit the room throughout your 90 minutes to go play in the arcade, just make sure to keep the food inside the Party Room!
CAN I DECORATE?
You may have tableclothes or other table decorations, and may hang banners but must do so with painter’s tape only. There is no early arrival for decoration. You must remove all decorations by the end of your Party Room’s 90 minutes. Glitter and confetti are prohibited. No decorations are allowed outside of the Party Room.
CAN I BRING MORE PEOPLE? CAN I BRING ALCOHOL?
If you would like to bring alcohol to your party, or host a group larger than 20 people, you can rent the entire arcade for $299! Look for “Private Event” slots on our Booking Calendar.
DO I HAVE TO PAY IF I WON’T PLAY?
Everyone must pay to enter, as all games are on free play mode!
CAN I STAY LONGER THAN 2 HOURS?
If you’d like to play games longer, you can! The included passes allow you 2 hours of play. If you’d like to upgrade to an All-Day Pass, simply select that upgrade at checkout! That way you can play for as long as you like for the rest of the day. Regarding the Party Room itself, you must exit at your end time so that we may clean up and prepare for the next party.
DO YOU HAVE ALCOHOL?
No, we have non-alcoholic drinks in our drink machine.
DO YOU ALLOW RE-ENTRY?
Only if you have purchased our all-day pass.
DO I NEED QUARTERS?
No, all 120 games are on free play! You would only need money if you wanted to play the toy crane (1 quarter per play) or get a drink from the drink machine ($1).
ARE YOU ACCESSIBLE FOR PEOPLE WHO USE WHEELCHAIRS?
Yes! Our main entrance is on the pedestrian side of the Downtown Mall and is accessible. The main floor has our ADA bathroom. While we don’t have an elevator inside, our basement level is accessible via our back entrance via alley on Heather Heyer Way. We have a map and more information on our Our Location page. Please inform an Arcade Guardian that you are heading around the block to the downstairs, and we will be at the back door waiting for you!
ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO KNOW?
We don’t allow bicycles, strollers, large bags/bookbags because we have to ensure walkways are clear.
We do not allow anyone to enter who is visibly under the influence.
We reserve the right to ask anyone to leave if they have broken any of our arcade rules.
We do not allow fireworks, explosives or weapons of any kind (including anything with a blade or any gun), even with a concealed carry permit.
You may take photos for personal use, but commercial use is prohibited without our written consent.
Certain medical conditions can be triggered by excessive exposure to fast, flashing lights.