Fun, Food & Nostalgia

Finding Fun, Food & Nostalgia At Decades In Downtown Lancaster 

Nestled within what was once Lancaster’s historic Stahr National Guard Armory building lives a business unlike any other in the area. With over 15,000 square feet of fun and refreshments, Decades Amusement & Fare is a space teeming with nostalgia, in all of the best ways possible. Known locally for it’s distinct combination of arcade games, six-lane bowling alley and extensive menu, Decades was born from the notion that any person of any age should be able to feel a sense of familiarity within its walls. 

Now the thriving brainchild of Joycat Ventures, LLC., (owned by Jonathan Yeager, Chris Trendler, Adam Ozimek, Mike Callahan, and Bri Callahan) Decades began as a humble pipe-dream in 2012. “We created Decades because it’s exactly the kind of place where we wanted to hang out together,” began Trendler, Yeager and Ozimek. “We’re three childhood buddies who love nothing more than a delicious shared meal, great cocktails, and some nostalgic games with friends.” 

“When we were creating Decades, our focus was to bring something to Lancaster City that filled a void,” said Yeager. “We spent nearly a year trying to come up with the name of this concept. The goal was to blend all activities of the business, food, beverages, bowling, and retro arcades into one cohesive name that also made sense with the vibe and history of the space.” 

So, what can you expect upon venturing into Decades? Well according to Yeager: Options. “When you walk into the doors to what is actually a 90 year old gymnasium there are four possible paths you can choose. Bowl at our six lanes, eat in our dining room, sit at our 44 ft bar or purchase tokens to play one of over 30 retro arcade games.” In addition, Netflix fans may even run into some familiar memorabilia.  “A lot of our decor is actually from the popular show House of Cards. Our concierge desk, billiard lights, fire mantle, can lights and gold mirror above and behind the bar and all four of the hanging chandeliers started out on that show, which is just another fun fact to add to our history.” 

Aside from its one-of-a-kind charm and reminiscent collection of games, Decades’ seasonal food and beverage menus prove second to none. From root vegetable fritters to Carolina pulled pork, Decades’ ever-evolving selection of southern influenced cuisine lives up to the high quality of Lancaster’s growing food scene. And when it comes to refreshments, the bar is just as prolific. Along with a rotating tap of 24 draft beers and curated wine selection, Decades offers an eclectic range of ambrosial cocktails. “At the moment, my personal favorite is the Smoked Manhattan,” said Yeager. “The combination of Tin Cup Bourbon and vermouth is matured in our smoke box, which gives it a really great flavor.” Another popular drink offered at Decades is the suitably named City of Roses, which features a frozen rose in one of the ice cubes of every glass. 

So whether you’re looking for a great meal, some evening entertainment or a combination of both, Decades promises to be a place worth trying. For more information, be sure to visit them online at decadeslancaster.com. 

By: Sam Maracic