Pinball in California

Mel & Faye's Diner, located at 31 CA‑88 in Jackson, CA, is a longtime local diner serving classic American comfort food—burgers, steak & eggs, fried chicken and milkshakes—with a full bar and outdoor seating and consistently strong local reviews. The owner is a known pinball enthusiast and the diner maintains a small, well‑kept collection (reported as five machines), making it a friendly stop for both diners and pinball fans looking for hearty food and casual gaming.

Red Whale Coffee at 169 Paul Drive in San Rafael is a roastery-owned coffee bar focused on single-origin and small-batch beans roasted onsite, with a bright, takeaway-friendly counter, baked-in-house pastries, merchandise and a cozy lounge area featuring a vintage pinball, popcorn machine and rock & roll memorabilia. The shop also hosts a pinball lineup including NBA Fastbreak, Star Trek (Pro), Star Wars (Premium), Terminator 2: Judgment Day, X Files, making it a relaxed spot to enjoy specialty espresso, cold brew or a pastry between games.

The Axe Lair in downtown Fullerton at 109 E Commonwealth Ave blends guided axe‑throwing lanes with a small, welcoming arcade area and a curated pinball selection—highlighted by machines such as Avengers: Infinity Quest and JAWS—making it a fun spot for date nights, group outings and corporate events; visitors praise the staff, music and lively vibe, and the venue runs club nights and pinball-related events alongside its regular sessions.

Cellarmaker Brewing Co., at 940 Parker St in Berkeley, is a small-batch brewery and lively neighborhood taproom serving a rotating tap list, bar-style pizzas and snacks in a casual indoor-outdoor space with weekly specials and a pet-friendly patio. The back game room hosts five pinball machines — Funhouse, Jurassic Park (Premium), Rush (Pro), The Simpsons Pinball Party, Twilight Zone — making it a popular spot for beer-and-arcade nights among locals and visitors alike.

Firehouse Grill, at 463-760 Main St in Janesville, CA, is a laid‑back neighborhood bar and grill offering housemade comfort food and a friendly local atmosphere. The venue features pool tables and a small collection of pinball machines (reported in location data), plus rotating taps and casual dining that make it a popular stop for locals and travelers alike. Guests frequently praise the service and favorites like the Reuben and burgers, and the business posts specials and updates on its active Facebook page.

City Fun Center in Poway at 12900 Gregg Ct is a family-friendly modern arcade offering over 100 games, mini-bowling, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, private party rooms and a small pinball bank of five machines. Pinball selections include Attack From Mars (Remake), Avatar: The Battle for Pandora (LE), Star Wars (Pro), Toy Story 4 (LE) and Venom (Pro), giving players a mix of classic and modern titles for casual play and competitive rounds.

Telegraph (Beeryland) at 2318 Telegraph Ave in Oakland is a laid-back, dog-friendly beer garden and burger joint with a spacious outdoor patio, rotating craft beers, regular events and a casual back-bar vibe popular with locals and concertgoers. The venue also features a small arcade of five pinball machines — including Stern’s Elvira’s House of Horrors (Premium) and Foo Fighters (Pro) — offering a fun mix of food, drinks and pinball on Telegraph Avenue.

Luigi's Pizza Parlor at 3800 Stockton Blvd in Sacramento is a family-owned neighborhood pizzeria (open since 1953) known for scratch-made pies, casual Italian comfort food and a friendly old-school atmosphere with video games on site. The dining room includes an in-house game room with five pinball machines: Godzilla (Premium), Junk Yard, The Munsters (Premium), Star Wars (Pro), Venom (Premium), and the spot receives steady positive local reviews for food, service and value.

Henry's Lounge at 2019 O Street in Sacramento is a lively 21+ sports bar, grill and arcade that pairs a full bar and pub menu with arcade favorites and a five-machine pinball bank—Star Wars: The Mandalorian, Star Wars: Fall of the Empire, Pirates of the Caribbean, AC/DC and Jurassic Park—plus skee‑ball, Golden Tee, pool, darts and a photobooth, making it a popular choice for game nights, watch parties and casual outings and a Sacramento Favorites 2024 winner.

Coin-Op Game Room North Park at 3926 30th St in San Diego is a lively barcade and pinball arcade blending craft cocktails and tap beers with a rotating lineup of pinball machines and classic arcade titles; current pinball games include Star Wars, Mandalorian, Godzilla, Venom, Jaws. The coin-operated floor—quarters only with change machines on site—also features vintage cabinets like Galaga and Ms. Pac-Man, multiplayer favorites, a photo booth, prize redemption, and monthly free-play Sundays, making it a popular neighborhood spot for casual play, group nights, and nostalgic gaming.

Oscar's Playground at 685 Cannery Row in Monterey is a family-friendly arcade and entertainment center that combines arcade games, escape rooms and private party space on the third floor of Steinbeck Plaza, with a snack bar, adult beverages and a relaxed lounge area for adults to supervise kids while they play. Visitors praise its friendly staff and party-ready setup, making it a popular stop on Cannery Row. The pinball lineup on record includes Hotdogger, Hyperball, Playboy, Star Wars, Triangle.

Whittier Brewing Company at 13002 Philadelphia St in Whittier, CA is an independent craft brewery and food-hall housed in a renovated historic building offering rotating house beers, multiple on-site eateries, ample indoor/outdoor seating and a flexible event space for live music and private events. Family- and pet-friendly, the venue is known for its lively atmosphere, strong local reviews praising the beer and outdoor space, and a small, inexpensive pinball selection (around five machines) that guests enjoy for 50¢ each.

Cooperage Brewing Downtown at 575 Ross Street in Santa Rosa is a lively downtown taproom and beer garden that pours a rotating lineup of house beers in a spacious, games-focused setting ideal for groups and families. Open afternoons and evenings (Mon–Thu 3pm–10pm; Fri–Sat noon–midnight; Sun noon–7pm), the venue hosts food trucks, darts, TVs and a small arcade area with four pinball machines, and receives strong local reviews for its friendly atmosphere and good beer.

Dogwood Tavern in Blue Jay near Lake Arrowhead is a cozy, 21+ mountain tavern with rustic-cabin decor, a full bar, late-night pub menu and regular events (live bands, DJs, karaoke and comedy) where locals and visitors enjoy pool, retro arcade games and a small pinball lineup; guests praise the friendly service and affordable drinks, and the pinball collection features Led Zeppelin, The Mandalorian, Metallica Remastered.

Beer Thug Brewpub at 117 E 162nd St in Gardena is a neighborhood brewpub offering Beer Thug craft beers and gastropub-style burgers in a lively, community-focused space with regular live music, DJs and food pop-ups; guests praise its upbeat vibe and local flavor, and the spot also features a small selection of pinball machines for casual play.

Red Bus Brewery at 802 Reading Street in Folsom is a lively craft brewery and taproom offering rotating small-batch beers, a collaboration with Kombi Pizza, a covered Back Warehouse patio, regular events like trivia and live music, and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere praised by reviewers for friendly service and tasty pizza. The taproom also hosts pinball machines including Avengers: Infinity Quest (Pro), Godzilla (Pro), Jurassic Park (Pro), The Mandalorian (Pro).

The Yeti Tavern in downtown Auburn at 923 Lincoln Way is a themed dessert bar and taproom that pairs hand-dipped ice cream, beer floats, milkshakes and rotating local craft beers with a cozy Yeti-hunting outpost atmosphere that attracts families and locals. Upstairs the tavern hosts four pinball machines, including Deadpool (Pro), Guardians of the Galaxy (Pro), Star Wars (Premium), Stranger Things (Pro); machines are coin-operated and local listings report dollar-play promotions for three-ball games, making it an affordable spot to enjoy dessert and pinball in Auburn.

Blipsy Bar at 369 N Western Ave in Koreatown is a cash-only, 21+ dive-style barcade that’s billed as LA’s original arcade bar, pairing heavy pours, DJs and live acts with a dark, nostalgic room full of classic arcade cabinets and pinball machines loved by locals and reviewers. Current pinball machines include Playboy, Stellar Wars, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Twilight Zone.

Neon Retro Arcade at 28 S Raymond Ave in Old Town Pasadena is a restored vintage arcade featuring 40+ classic video games and a rotating pinball lineup, operating on a paid-admission, free-play model and praised for its friendly staff and convenient parking. Current pinball machines include Godzilla (Pro), Jaws (Pro), King Kong (Pro), Mandalorian (Pro), X-Men (Pro).

Ghost Town Brewing - West Oakland is a warehouse-style craft brewery and taproom at 1960 Adeline St known for house-brewed pints, a relaxed beer garden, board games and a family- and pet-friendly atmosphere that hosts regular events and group-friendly seating. The spacious taproom also features a four-machine pinball lineup that includes The Addams Family, Godzilla, Elvira's House of Horrors, and Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast, making it a lively spot for beer lovers who enjoy classic and modern pinball play.

Movement Brewing Company is a family-owned craft brewery and taproom at 11151 Trade Center Drive Ste 104 in Rancho Cordova, known for a roomy indoor/outdoor layout, rotating house beers and regular food-truck nights and events. Guests praise the friendly staff, lively atmosphere and community nights like trivia and live music in reviews. The taproom also offers playable pinball machines including Deadpool (Pro), Godzilla (Pro), and Guardians of the Galaxy (Pro).

R Bar at 1176 Sutter St in San Francisco is a compact neighborhood dive and sports bar with a late‑night, welcoming vibe, multiple TVs, a casual food and drink menu and a reputation for shots of Fernet. Its arcade corner features a rotating selection of pinball machines including Doctor Who, Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast (Pro), Demolition Man and De Luxe World Series.

Kozy Kar at 404 Mendocino Ave in Santa Rosa is a small, nostalgic 1970s–80s themed bar known for its retro decor—waterbeds, custom vans, shag carpeting and vintage memorabilia—and a lively, slightly risqué atmosphere that draws locals and visitors alike. The compact space features four pinball machines including Bride of Pin-Bot, Playboy, Taxi and Whirlwind.

Located at 550 Oak Grove Ave in Menlo Park, Barebottle Brew Co. Menlo Park is a family-friendly taproom and coffee-forward arcade that pairs Barebottle’s rotating, award-winning beers and specialty coffee (including a nitro stout brewed with Barebottle‑roasted Oaxacan beans) with a small kitchen and relaxed seating; the space also features a kid-friendly arcade area with five pinball machines, making it a great spot for families and casual gatherings. Guests and local reviewers praise the welcoming staff, approachable menu, and the venue’s casual, couch-friendly vibe anchored by its pinball selection and local community feel.

XL Public House is a 21+ craft beer taproom and bottle shop at 127 Main St in downtown Salinas, featuring a rotating lineup of local craft beers, a relaxed taproom atmosphere, and retail bottle selections for pickup or to-go. The venue hosts private events and catering, serves as a supporters’ hub for Fuerza Union Club, operates primarily during evening hours, and is noted in local reviews for its friendly staff and lively neighborhood vibe.

Zorba's Pizza, located at 1567 El Camino Real in Millbrae, is a long-running, family-friendly pizzeria offering classic pies, pasta and Greek-influenced dishes in a homey, old-school setting with strong local reviews. The spot also doubles as a casual pinball stop with four machines—reported titles include Pinball Champ, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Twilight Zone and White Water—making it a fun destination for pizza and vintage arcade play.