8 things you'll love about Canal Street Arcade and Deli

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Last summer, an iconic Dayton building got new life thanks to Ms. Pac-Man, Centipede, gourmet sandwiches, craft beer and a good bit of elbow grease.

Canal Street Arcade and Deli officially opened one year ago this week at 308 E. First St. in the former home of the much-beloved music venue Canal Street Tavern. The building dates back to 1900.

>> Canal Street Tavern fans say goodbye to venerable venue

>> Street named for local music icon to be dedicated

One thing is clear from the moment you walk in, Canal Street Arcade and Deli is about more than classic arcade games and a banging beer list.

>> Check out these amazing photos of the new Canal Street Arcade and Deli

Here are just a few of our favorite things. 

👾 1.) The return of The Champ

Canal Street Arcade and Deli held a preview party on Tuesday, June 28. The restaurant an bar are located in downtown Dayton near Fifth Third Field.

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

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Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

There was a disturbance in the Sandwich Force when Rob Strong closed Fifth Street Wine and Deli in January 2017.

>> Daytonian of the Week: Rob Strong

Fans of his gourmet sammiches wondered if their favorites would make it to the new place.

Good news, friends: The Champ and other sammys perfected at Fifth Street  are back... and Rob and the gang have added pizza to the menu.

>> Did your favorite Fifth Street Deli sandwiches make it to Canal Street Arcade & Deli?

Canal Street Arcade served samples of the pizzas and sammys during a preview party.

The falafel sandwiches can’t be stopped. The Nuclear Sub will blow your head off.

>> The Champ is among 9 must-eat sandwiches in Dayton

Canal Street Arcade and Deli held a preview party on Tuesday, June 28. The restaurant an bar are located in downtown Dayton near Fifth Third Field.

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

icon to expand image

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

👾 2.) The windows

Apparently Canal Street and Canal Public House, the business that followed it when it closed in 2013, had windows the whole time. 

Who knew?

Canal Street Arcade and Deli has uncovered them to let the sun shine in.

Customers can lounge on comfy chairs set up on the bar’s former stage and catch a few rays while sipping on suds.

👾👾Breaking into the brand new and shiny Canal Street Arcade and Deli before it opens. http://on.dayton.com/2rZ3l5j

Posted by Dayton.com on Tuesday, June 27, 2017

3.) The jukebox

Canal Street Arcade and Deli held a preview party on Tuesday, June 28. The restaurant an bar are located in downtown Dayton near Fifth Third Field.

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

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Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Imagine this: a real, old-school jukebox with actual CDs.

The arcade even has a special "Never Tame Your Dayton" option featuring modern and classic music from the Gem City.

>> Downtown bar closing, blames meter maids, city 

👾  4.) The patio

Canal Street Arcade patio will surely get the attention of people heading to Dayton Dragons games or home to the soon-to-be-open Delco Lofts.

>> You’ll LOVE the killer views from this new downtown Dayton apartment up for grabs

>> MORE: 15 kickass patios in the Dayton area 

👾 5.) The naughty claw

The restaurant’s five or so pinball machines and claw game are the only things customers are required to pay a quarter to play.

Not every prize in the claw game are  for the kids if you know what we mean.. wink, wink.

We mean there are adult-themed items among the stufffed toys in the Hot Stuff claw game.

👾 6.) The stickers 

Canal Street Arcade and Deli held a preview party on Tuesday, June 28. The restaurant an bar are located in downtown Dayton near Fifth Third Field.

Credit: Photo by Mark Fisher

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Credit: Photo by Mark Fisher

The pews might be gone, but hints of the old Canal Street are throughout Canal Street Arcade and Deli.

None is bigger and bolder than the sticker wall that pays tribute to Canal Street’s green room where stickers covered nearly every surface.

Stickers from bands that played Canal Street greet you right after you turn the corner that leads to the bar.

👾 7.) The bathrooms

A Ms. Pac-Man mural inside the Canal Street Arcade and Deli. Photo from Canal Street Arcade and Deli Facebook page

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They are real nice. You might even want to sit down in them. Big improvement if you remember the old ones.

Ms. Pac-Man is on the ladies room wall and surely approves.

👾 8.) The bar staff

Canal Street Arcade and Deli held a preview party on Tuesday, June 28. The restaurant an bar are located in downtown Dayton near Fifth Third Field.

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

icon to expand image

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

The business has an impressive craft beer list and will serve cocktails created by some of the best bartenders in town.

They plan to do fresh fruit infusions, and watch out for things like Margarita Mondays, Tiki Tuesdays and Whiskey Wednesdays.

“We will be busting out blenders,” mixologist Landon Shayne Mckibben said.

>> When Brock and Landon McKibben were Daytonians of the Week

There is still carryout beer and wine.

Canal Street Arcade and Deli held a preview party on Tuesday, June 28. The restaurant an bar are located in downtown Dayton near Fifth Third Field.

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

icon to expand image

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

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