In May this year, Dublin saw the opening of its first true combination of bar and arcade. Token, in Smithfield, follows a recent trend from the US – retro arcade bars have been popping up in most major cities across the pond. I visited Token this summer and was delighted by the experience.

With almost 30 retro arcade cabinets and 11 pinball machines, you won’t be stuck for activities. The machines themselves are astonishingly cheap by comparison to other arcades, as five euro will get you ten tokens (most machines only require one) and another four euro will get you a bottomless soft drink. Token also offers a reasonably-priced menu, with gourmet takes on classic foods like burgers, nachos and hot dogs.

The atmosphere is what cements Token as one of Dublin’s best geeky spots. Everything is a reminder of gaming nostalgia. If you book a table, menus are given in the form of old gaming magazines. Your bill will also come in the box of a retro era game – in our case, it was Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater on PS1. Even the wet floor signs resemble the bananas from MarioKart.

Token is an absolute must-visit  for any nostalgia-prone twenty-something in Dublin. Great prices, a wide selection of machines and the second-to-none atmosphere make Token a place where you can easily spend a few hours.

Token can be found in Smithfield, Dublin 7