Barcade’s departure from Newark Avenue has left a noticeable void in nightlife/”>Downtown Jersey City’s nightlife. The story behind its closure is more complex—and maybe even a bit more hopeful—than a simple “out of business” sign.
After 14 years of pouring pints, serving burgers, and lighting up vintage arcade cabinets, the beloved bar-arcade concept shut its Jersey City doors in April 2025. Now its liquor license is back on the market, and people can’t help but wonder what comes next for the brand, the block, and the city’s shifting entertainment scene.
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Barcade’s 14-Year Run on Newark Avenue Comes to a Close
Barcade at 163 Newark Avenue wasn’t just another bar. It helped shape the early vibe of the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza.
For more than a decade, the glow of Galaga and Ms. Pac-Man screens mixed with the hum of conversation and clinking glasses. Regulars from the neighborhood mingled with visitors from all over the region.
The April 2025 closure wasn’t a calculated exit. Founder and CEO Paul Kermizian says the decision was basically forced on them.
The landlord went ahead with a redevelopment plan. Barcade ran out of time to find a new home before their lease was up.
A Forced Exit, Not a Farewell
Kermizian’s been pretty clear—leaving Jersey City wasn’t part of some bigger plan to pull back. The lease loss was really about timing and circumstance, not a lack of demand.
The company would’ve preferred a seamless move, but commercial real estate and the pace of redevelopment got in the way. That sudden disruption set off a chain of regulatory and financial decisions that now shape Barcade’s next steps.
The Liquor License Puzzle and Regulatory Pressure
In New Jersey, a liquor license is both an asset and a ticking clock. State rules don’t let businesses sit on an unused license forever, so Barcade can’t just keep its Jersey City license “for someday” without a plan.
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Earlier this year, a deal to sell that license fell apart when the would-be buyer couldn’t get a required waiver because of a nearby church. The failed sale really shows how tricky New Jersey’s alcohol regulations can get, especially in dense neighborhoods where schools, churches, and bars are crammed together.
Why the License Is Back on the Market
With no new location lined up and legal limits on unused licenses, Barcade doesn’t have much choice but to look at selling. It’s not about abandoning the city; it’s just a practical answer to regulations that put a shelf life on inactivity.
The sale could also free up some capital for a future build-out if the timing works out.
Big Bets in Manhattan and Industry Headwinds
Barcade’s got other things on its plate, too. Their most ambitious project yet—a huge new spot at 10 Cortlandt Street in the Financial District—opened in August 2025.
Kermizian calls it their most expensive and elaborate build-out so far. Getting that big investment stable takes focus.
Instead of juggling two major projects at once, Barcade decided to get Manhattan running smoothly before jumping into a new Jersey City lease and launch.
Declining Alcohol Sales, Steady Appetite for Play
The bar and restaurant world is in a weird spot lately. Barcade’s seeing a familiar pattern: people still want games and food, but alcohol sales—the usual moneymaker—are softening.
Those headwinds are forcing a careful reassessment of how big, how fast, and where the company should grow next. That matters in Jersey City, where rising rents and redevelopment keep changing the rules for independent hospitality.
Why Barcade Won’t Return to the Pedestrian Plaza
Even if Barcade comes back, one thing’s settled: it won’t be on Newark Avenue’s Pedestrian Plaza. Kermizian points to operational and maintenance headaches tied to the plaza spot—issues plenty of local operators know all too well.
Outdoor seating rules, infrastructure wear and tear, late-night crowds—it’s a lot. If Barcade returns, it’ll probably land on a side street or in one of the city’s emerging districts, a little farther from the plaza’s chaos and closer to residential pockets craving local hangouts.
Emotional Ties and the Promise of a Return
Despite the setback, Barcade’s leadership says the brand still has a strong emotional tie to the city. Staff, regulars, and owners all share a 14-year history that helped put Jersey City on the map for nightlife, not just as a bedroom community across the Hudson.
Kermizian’s hinted at a return when the market and timing finally line up. Maybe that means a bigger space, a tighter focus on food and games, or a concept that leans into lower-alcohol options but keeps the nostalgic arcade vibe alive.
What Barcade’s Story Says About Jersey City’s Next Chapter
For residents and visitors, Barcade’s exit is just one part of a bigger conversation about what kind of city Jersey City wants to be. As redevelopment speeds up, the challenge is figuring out how to make room for both big projects and the quirky, independent spots that give neighborhoods their soul.
Nightlife here isn’t on pause. New bars, restaurants, and entertainment spaces keep popping up, adding to the long list of things to do in Jersey City on any weeknight or weekend.
Planning Your Visit Around a Changing Nightlife Scene
If you’re visiting and wondering where to stay in Jersey City, you’ll find options all over the place. Some boutique spots sit right by the waterfront, while well-known chains cater to business travelers and staycationers.
Many Jersey City hotels are just a short walk or quick transit ride from Downtown’s core. That makes it pretty easy to explore neighborhoods in flux, including the area Barcade once called home.
For out-of-towners, getting to Jersey City is straightforward. PATH, ferries, light rail, and major roadways all link the city’s nightlife to the bigger metro area.
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Here is the source article for this story: Closed Jersey City Barcade Puts Liquor License up for Sale, Eyes Future Return
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