Downtown Winston-Salem is getting a new place to sip, snack and mash buttons. Boxcar Bar And Arcade is bringing its fourth North Carolina location to 951 Trade St NW, where crews are already at work on the storefront. The company is aiming for a late-summer 2026 opening, according to local reporting and a social post from the brand.
The expansion was first reported by What Now Charlotte, which notes that Boxcar founder Jerrad Bement confirmed the plan and that the company posted a social announcement listing the Trade Street address. The outlet also reports that the Winston-Salem outpost is slated to feature a full bar, dozens of classic and modern arcade machines, and a large patio.
What to expect inside
Boxcar already operates in Raleigh, Durham and Greensboro, where its spots combine rows of arcade cabinets and pinball machines with a full bar and a pizza kitchen. The Winston-Salem location is expected to follow that playbook. According to Boxcar Bar + Arcade, the venues typically host live music, weekly tournaments and private events, features that could easily find their way onto Trade Street's event calendar.
Where it lands on Trade Street
Local neighborhood listings and newsletters place Boxcar at 951 Trade Street NW, right in the middle of a recent wave of openings and upgrades along the corridor. The Go-To Winston-Salem newsletter includes Boxcar on its upcoming openings page (The Go-To Winston-Salem), and recent reports from the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership highlight ongoing street and public-space improvements meant to support more nightlife and outdoor dining.
Timeline and local impact
With a late-summer target on the board, the actual opening date will hinge on permitting, buildout and staffing. What Now Charlotte reports that the brand's social post pointed to that general timeframe. Once the doors finally open, Boxcar is poised to join a growing lineup of downtown gathering spots and add another option for evening entertainment, private parties and weekend tournaments.
