A unique change is coming to downtown Tucson – a change with vintage roots.

Cobra Arcade, located at the intersection of East Congress Street and North Scott Avenue, will be the first of its kind in Tucson: a video arcade inside of a bar. According to a post on its Facebook page June 19, Friday, June 29 will be the establishment’s official opening, with hours stretching from 4 p.m. until 2 a.m.

“We open the doors to the public for our official GRAND OPENING! We can’t wait to show everyone what we’ve been cooking up over here!” the post reads. “Thank you to everyone in #tucson for the love & support, and to everyone that worked their butts off to make #cobratucson come alive! Cheers!” 

The arcade-bar concept was developed in Phoenix prior to the opening of a second location here in Tucson. According to an article in the June 27 Tucson Weekly, the concept is the work of co-founders Ariel Bracamonte and Chuckie Duff.

Topher Bray, Cobra’s regional manager told the Arizona Daily Star that the new arcade will feature “more than 50 arcade games and pinball machines, (and) will be spread across two levels.”

Bray said the bar will feature new as well as classic arcade games like Street Fighter II, Mortal Kombat, NBA Jam, Galaga, and Frogger.

“Opening in Tucson is like a dream come true for me,” Bracamonte added to the April interview. “I was born in Tucson. I have family there. Tucson has a really good feel to it. The minute I opened Phoenix, I wanted to do Tucson.”   

Two DJs will be spinning the event: DJ Humphouse and DJ Maneone.