The Detour
What you need to know
The Detour is an arcade bar on Market Street in the Castro, formerly known as Brewcade. About 30 arcade cabinets and pinball machines line the walls. The bar runs the length of the room. It’s dark, loud on weekends, and smells like beer and ozone from the CRT monitors. Exactly what you’d want.
What you’ll find
The game selection rotates but leans classic: Pac-Man, Galaga, Street Fighter II, NBA Jam, and a handful of pinball machines. All games are free to play, no quarters needed. You buy drinks, you play games. That’s the deal.
The beer list is strong. Expect a dozen craft taps skewing toward West Coast IPAs and local breweries, plus a selection of canned options. Cocktails are simple but well-made. There’s no food menu, but the Castro has plenty of options within a block.
The crowd is mixed: Castro regulars, groups on bar crawls, people on dates who wanted something more interesting than a wine bar. It gets packed on Friday and Saturday nights after 10pm. Go on a weeknight if you actually want to finish a game of Mortal Kombat.
What to know
The Detour is 21+ only. The space is one long room with the bar on one side and games on the other, not huge but well laid out. The back gets less crowded than the front. If your favorite machine is taken, it won’t be long. Most people cycle through games quickly.
Happy hour runs on weekdays with discounted drafts. The vibe is casual, no dress code, no pretension. It’s a bar with arcade games, not a gaming lounge with a bar. The distinction matters.
The Castro location puts it within walking distance of a dozen other bars if you want to make a night of it. Twin Peaks Tavern, Beaux, Hi Tops, and The Edge are all within a few blocks.