R-Cade: The Glasgow gaming café that is levelling up the school holidays

By Jack Cranmer & Scott Smith

For many Glasgow families, the school holidays can be a logistical nightmare—kids off school, parents still working, and precious few places for young people to safely spend their free time.

It’s a familiar story in a city, where boredom and a lack of accessible activities have too often nudged the cities youths towards a troubled path.

But one local business is offering a fresh alternative.

Located on Saltmarket in the city, R-Cade is no ordinary café. Blending nostalgia with innovation, it’s a gaming haven where kids can explore the history and evolution of video games in a fun, inclusive, and social space.

Not just a place to play, R-Cade is becoming a much-needed hub for community, creativity, and connection… and they also offer food!

We sat down with owner Andrew Faulkner to talk about the mission behind the joysticks—and why R-Cade may be exactly what Glasgow’s young people need right now.