Pinball in Iowa

Jay's Silver Ballroom is a private pinball collection and event space at 10161 Blue Spruce Dr, Peosta, Iowa, that opens to the public for special events and tournaments rather than maintaining regular business hours. The venue hosts monthly tournaments and Stern Army events, open-pin nights and community-focused competitions that welcome new players and experienced competitors alike, with event announcements, photos and registration posted on its Facebook page and in tournament listings.

Up-Down Des Moines, located at 500 E Locust St in the East Village, is a below-ground arcade bar blending a nostalgic 80s/90s game room with a rotating collection of 11 pinball machines, classic cabinets, skee‑ball and console stations; all games are typically 25¢ per play, and the bar pairs an extensive craft-beer and cocktail list with house-made pizza by the slice and private-event space downstairs.

Time Out Ames at 120 Kellogg Ave in Ames, IA is a family‑owned over‑21 bar and arcade (families welcome until 7pm) that blends retro arcade cabinets, skee‑ball, pool and a rotating pinball collection—reported pinball titles include Deadpool (Pro), Ghostbusters (Pro), Jurassic Park (Pro), South Park and Star Wars (Pro). The venue is praised in local listings and reviews for its friendly staff, lively atmosphere, karaoke on weekend nights and a mix of classic and modern games that make it a popular spot for date nights and group outings.

First Turn Games, located at 3625 1st Ave SE in Cedar Rapids, IA, is a community-focused game store and pinball arcade that complements a broad selection of board, card and tabletop games with a tidy play area and regular events as part of the Town & Country shopping center experience. The location features a rotating modern and classic pinball lineup including Deadpool (Pro), Demolition Man, Game Of Thrones (Pro), Ghostbusters (Pro), Jurassic Park (Limited Edition), Lord of the Rings Limited Edition, Medieval Madness (Classic Edition Remake), Metallica (Pro), Monster Bash (Classic Edition), Star Trek (Pro). Players and reviewers praise the well‑maintained machines, friendly staff, and convenient nearby dining options, making First Turn Games a popular stop for local pinball and tabletop enthusiasts.

Operating Room - Pinball Bar Arcade at 5515 Mills Civic Pkwy #130 in West Des Moines is a medical-themed bar-arcade known for craft cocktail slushies, syringe shots, a full bar and menu, family-friendly events and prize promotions, offering a lively spot to play modern and retro arcade games alongside pinball machines. The pinball lineup features Avengers: Infinity Quest, Elton John (Platinum Edition), Foo Fighters (Pro), Godzilla (Pro), Guns N' Roses (LE), James Bond 007 (Pro), Jaws (Pro), Jurassic Park (Pro), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Pro), The Mandalorian (Pro), and Toy Story 4 (LE).

Quarter Barrel at 616 2nd Ave SE in Cedar Rapids is an industrial brick‑walled pizzeria, craft brewery and quarter arcade that pairs New York‑style pizza and a large rotating tap list with a floor of classic arcade games and pinball machines. Its pinball lineup includes Ghostbusters Premium, Iron Maiden, The Shadow, Count-Down, Batman Forever, The Simpsons, Whirlwind and Fish Tales, and visitors frequently praise the food and game selection in reviews.

Monsterama Arcade, also known as Monsterama Pubcade, at 3104 S.W. Ninth St., Suite 1 in Des Moines is a horror‑themed pubcade with a full bar and food menu, pool and darts, regular pinball tournaments, family‑friendly hours before 8 PM (21+ after 8), and a lively, monster‑inspired atmosphere for retro‑game fans and groups.Monsterama’s pinball lineup includes Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye (Pro), Foo Fighters (Pro), Ghostbusters (Pro), Godzilla (Premium), James Bond 007 (Pro), Rush (Pro), Star Wars (Pro), and The Mandalorian (Pro).

Backpocket Taproom at 333 East 10th St in Dubuque is a lively Backpocket Brewing taproom and retro arcade housed in the historic Novelty Iron Works building that pairs a rotating lineup of craft beers and made-from-scratch pub food with duckpin bowling, skee-ball, free-play table games and a basement arcade full of classic cabinets and pinball machines. The pinball roster includes Pirates of the Caribbean, Harley Davidson, Twilight Zone, Deadpool, Last Action Hero, Attack from Mars, Revenge from Mars, Lethal Weapon 3, No Fear. With quarter-operated games, onsite change machines, private-party options and a family-friendly yet energetic atmosphere, Backpocket is a popular spot for groups, date nights and pinball fans visiting downtown Dubuque.

The Warp Zone, at 611 5th Street in downtown Sioux City, IA, is a family‑owned retro‑themed bar & arcade (opened May 2024) featuring nine pinball machines — Roadshow, Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin, South Park, Demolition Man, Jaws, Godzilla, X‑Files and Jurassic Park — plus classic arcade consoles, craft beers, cocktails and non‑alcoholic options; the venue hosts regular IFPA‑sanctioned tournaments, pinball leagues, weekly meetups and themed nights, offers Stern Insider connected pro titles and a lively nostalgic atmosphere praised by visitors, with a typical spend around $10–$20 per person.

Maple Lanes & Kingpin Social at 2608 University Ave in Waterloo, IA blends a full-service 28-lane bowling center with Kingpin Social’s two-story restaurant/bar and upstairs game area—offering open bowling, pool, darts, HDTVs and a lively, family-friendly atmosphere noted on the venue website and in customer reviews The arcade’s pinball lineup features Hyperball, Disco Fever, Dirty Harry, The Six Million Dollar Man, Sweet Sioux, Domino Bowler, Delta Queen and Triangle

Old School Pinball and Arcade in Oskaloosa, IA, located at 200 High Ave W inside the Penn Central Mall, is a retro-modern, family-friendly entertainment venue featuring a rotating pinball collection, classic arcade cabinets, an onsite ice cream counter, and party packages for birthdays and group events; guests praise the welcoming staff and community atmosphere, and the location’s pinball lineup includes The Addams Family, Ghostbusters (Pro), PIN‑BOT, Party Animal, Bad Cats, Haunted House, South Park, High Speed.

Double Tap Beercade in downtown Cedar Falls at 312 Main St is a lively adult beercade and barcade that pairs a full craft-beer tap list and a pizza-forward menu with retro and modern arcade games, skee‑ball, regular leagues and a social, event-driven atmosphere (all ages welcome until 8pm). Its curated pinball lineup includes Foo Fighters (Pro), Venom (Premium), The Mandalorian (Pro), Houdini: Master of Mystery, Demolition Man, Guardians of the Galaxy (Pro), Jurassic Park (Pro), Batman 66 (Premium).

Old School Pizza & Pub at 305 E Main St in Ottumwa offers a nostalgic, game-focused pub experience popular with locals and visitors alike. The menu features authentic New York–style pizza and an ice‑cold draft beer selection paired with retro arcade cabinets and a lively, casual atmosphere. The venue hosts six pinball machines (3423, 2441, 672, 2875, 744, 3022), making it a compact but varied stop for pinball enthusiasts and arcade fans.

Tilt Studio Southern Hills in Sioux City (inside Southern Hills Mall) is a large, family-focused entertainment center offering laser tag, mini bowling, bumper cars, black-light attractions and a game floor with roughly 150+ arcade games, and it lists five pinball machines on-site; the venue is popular for birthday parties and family outings

Tap Tap | Double Tap Beercade at 121 1/2 E College St in Iowa City is a lively Ped Mall beercade blending a full craft-beer tap list, pizza-forward bar menu, daily specials and leagues in a social, game-focused atmosphere (all ages welcome until 8pm). Its pinball lineup features The Beatles (Gold Edition), Deadpool (Pro), Houdini, Legends of Valhalla, Cactus Canyon (Remake - Special Edition), The Mandalorian (Pro).

Wayward Social at 1101 S 6th St in Marshalltown is a fully renovated 20‑lane bowling alley and social hub offering bowling, an arcade, a full bar (Rosie’s) and elevated pub fare with event space and a family‑friendly atmosphere.\nThe venue hosts four public pinball machines — including Black Knight: Sword of Rage (LE) and Medieval Madness — alongside other arcade games for groups and gamers.\nGuests frequently highlight the food, lively atmosphere and arcade/bowling combos in reviews, and the venue runs occasional arcade-credit and wristband promotions for families and groups.

Backpocket Pin and Pixel at 6205 Merle Hay Rd in Johnston is a craft-beer taproom and grown-up retro arcade that pairs in-house brews and pub fare with duckpin bowling, quarter-operated classic arcade games, and a rotating pinball lineup including Led Zeppelin, Rush, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, James Bond, TMNT, Toy Story, and Guns n Roses. The relaxed, family-friendly space hosts puzzle leagues, private events, and casual game nights, making it a popular spot for nostalgia-driven entertainment and small-group outings in Johnston, IA.