Rules & Policies
We are strictly 21+ with the exception only of children accompanied by a parent before 8pm daily. A valid ID is required from all guests (aside from minors) for entry. More details on acceptable forms of identification can be found below.
🪪 VALID ID REQUIRED FOR ENTRY — NO EXCEPTIONS.
You must have a valid, physical ID to enter (photos of IDs or someone verifying your age do not count). In North Carolina, per ABC law, there are only 4 acceptable forms of identification you can use to buy alcoholic beverages. Since we’re a bar above all else, one of these same forms of valid ID are required at the door for entry to any of our NC-based Boxcar Bar + Arcade locations:
- Current driver’s license from North Carolina or other US state (If you’ve recently renewed your license and were given a 20 day driving certificate, you may present this certificate along with your expired license)
- U.S. Military Identification Card
- State Identification Card
- Valid passport issued by any nation (booklet or card form)
👥 CONSISTENCY & FAIRNESS
We check everyone’s ID—no matter your age. No exceptions means no arguments, no favoritism, no confusion. Checking everyone’s IDs helps us prevent over-intoxication, deny entry to unsafe individuals, protect both guests and staff.
🔍 SAFETY & SECURITY
We use ID scanning systems to identify prior incidents (fights, disturbances, removals), unpaid tabs or previous issues, individuals who have been flagged or banned.
⚖️ LEGAL COMPLIANCE
We are required by North Carolina law and ALE regulations to verify age with a valid ID, prevent over-service, and maintain a safe drinking environment. We take this seriously, as failure to comply can result in fines or shutdown.
📸 WHY WE TAKE YOUR PHOTO
As part of our ID check, a photo may be taken through our scanning system. We do this to verify the ID matches the person presenting it, prevent the use of fake or borrowed IDs, and identify individuals involved in incidents.
🔐 YOUR PRIVACY MATTERS
- Photos and scan data are automatically deleted within 24 hours
- Information is only retained if an incident occurs
- Data is used strictly for safety and security purposes
- We do not use or share your information for any purpose
🙏 These rules have been established by management. Security and staff are here to help enforce the rules, so please be kind—they are just doing their job!
You can find our Privacy Policy here.
We’re pretty casual—but we love to see you all dress up too! Whether you’re keeping it low-key or showing up in style, we ask that all guests follow these basic guidelines to help us maintain a safe and respectful environment for everyone:
🚫 The Following Are Not permitted:
- No sagging pants. Keep pants secure and at the waist.
- No head coverings, including:
- Durags
- Hair bonnets
- Bandanas
- Skull caps
- Hoods on hoodies (must stay down inside)
- Ski masks
- No bare feet. Shoes must be worn at all times while on the property.
- No bikini tops, bras, or see-through clothing without appropriate coverage underneath.
- No undershirts (“wife beaters”) worn as outerwear.
- No overly revealing clothing. Keep it tasteful.
- No clothing with profanity, hate speech, or offensive graphics.
- No biker vests or gang-affiliated clothing.
- No offensive odors.
Boxcar staff reserves the right to deny entry or ask guests to leave if their attire is deemed inappropriate or disruptive.
Thanks for helping keep the vibe welcoming, fun, and respectful for all!
The following are never permitted at our establishment. If you have/do any of the following, you will be escorted out and your actions may result in a ban.
- Disrespecting any member of our staff
- Damaging property
- Weapons of any kind
- Illegal substances, including marijuana and CBD (due to a strong resemblance to marijuana)
- Outside drinks or drinking containers
- Drinking in line
- Gambling
- Outside speakers
General Info
We’re open every day of the year, with extended hours on most holidays (see more directly below!).
Regular Operating Hours:
- Mon-Thurs: 5pm-1am
- Fri: 4pm-1am
- Sat: 12pm-1am
- Sun: 12pm-10pm
We are open 365 days/year, with extended hours on most holidays. See our 2026 holiday hours below. Where you do not see any hours noted, our regular operating hours apply.
2026 Holiday Hours:
- 1/19/26 (MLK Day) – 12pm-Normal Close
- 2/16/26 (Presidents Day) – 12pm-Normal Close
- 3/17/26 (St Paddys Day) – 12pm-Normal Close
- 5/25/26 (Memorial Day) – 12pm-Normal Close
- 7/3/26 – 12pm-Normal Close
- 9/7/26 (Labor Day) – 12pm-Normal Close
- 11/26/26 (Thanksgiving) – 5pm-Normal Close
- 11/27/26 (Black Friday) – 12pm-Normal Close
- 12/18/26 – 12pm-Normal Close
- 12/21/26 – 12pm-Normal Close
- 12/22/26 – 12pm-Normal Close
- 12/23/26 – 12pm-Normal Close
- 12/24/26 (Christmas Eve) – 5pm-Normal Close
- 12/25/26 (Christmas Day) – 5pm-Normal Close
- 12/28/26 – 12pm-Normal Close
- 12/29/26 – 12pm-Normal Close
- 12/30/26 – 12pm-Normal Close
- 12/31/25 (New Years Eve) – 12pm-2am
- 1/1/26 (New Years Day ) – 12pm-Normal Close
No worries. We run all remaining (unclosed) tabs at the end of the night with the addition of a 20% gratuity. If you left your credit card at the bar, please stop in during business hours with a photo ID (matching the card name) to claim your card.
We are not responsible for any theft, lost items, accidents, or injuries resulting from your own actions or the actions of others while visiting this establishment.
That said, if you have questions about a lost item, please email greensboro@theboxcarbar.com or stop in during business hours and we’ll do what we can to help.
No. And there never will be.
Find and apply for open positions here.
Yes – we’re dog friendly, both on our outdoor patio and inside the building.
You’ll find a number of flatscreen TVs around our Greensboro downtown location. Whether you’re a college basketball, NFL or hockey fan, chances are good that you’ll see your game playing at Boxcar. If your game isn’t streaming when you arrive, just ask a bartender if they can find the game for you!
There is a lot adjacent to our Greensboro downtown location. This lot is not ours, but parking is available to the public for a few dollars, which you pay at the centrally-located machine. Additionally, you can find many free street parking spots around downtown during evening and nightime hours.
Our tables are first come, first serve. We have a few tables inside the building and a number of tables on our covered deck. If you’re looking to reserve space for a large party, you may want to consider renting our dedicated private event space (inquire here).
Games
Leave your quarters at home! Game tokens can be purchased at one of several token machines located throughout the bar.
- $1 = 3 Tokens
- $5 = 15 Tokens
- $10 = 30 Tokens
- $20 = 60 Tokens
With some exceptions, here are the average prices per game:
- Arcades: 1 token
- Pinball: 4 tokens
- Skee Ball: 2 tokens
- Air Hockey: 2 tokens/person
- Basketball: 2 tokens/person
Food & Drink
We offer drink specials every day of the week at our Greensboro downtown location. Just visit our events calendar to find daily drink specials, token offers and other special deals, discounts and events.
We serve made-to-order pizzas, fresh salads, and soft pretzels from our pizza kitchen. Vegan and gluten-free substitutions are available by request.
Private Events
Our Greensboro location is equipped with a 4,400 square foot private event space, complete with a private bar and an 800 square foot outdoor patio, where we can comfortably accommodate up to 300 guests. Just drop us a line with details on your upcoming event and one of our Event Coordinators will get back to you within 48 hours.
Our Greensboro location is equipped with a 4,400 square foot private event space, complete with a private bar and an 800 square foot outdoor patio, where we can comfortably accommodate up to 300 guests. Just drop us a line with details on your upcoming event and one of our Event Coordinators will get back to you within 48 hours.
Our private event space follows the same age guidelines as our main bar: minors are welcome if accompanied by a parent or guardian until 7pm daily. We are otherwise strictly 21+.