# Where to Play Pinball in Asheville: Arcades, Bars, and Breweries with Machines
by [Colin Alsheimer](/author/colin) · October 21, 2022 · [Travel](/news/category/travel)

> Asheville offers pinball across its downtown South Slope and West Asheville neighborhoods, from dedicated arcades to a brewery with weekly tournaments and a pinball-themed sub shop.

Asheville's pinball scene splits between two neighborhoods. Downtown's South Slope packs a barcade and a tournament-hosting brewery within blocks of each other, while West Asheville spreads options along Haywood Road and New Leicester Highway. The city runs more bar-forward than arcade-heavy, though dedicated arcade seekers will find what they need.

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Most venues operate on a flat-rate admission model—pay once, play all day. Two of the four spots host regular IFPA-sanctioned tournaments, making Asheville a draw for competitive players passing through the Blue Ridge.

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Venue

Area

Machines

Type

[The Retrocade](/locations/the-retrocade)

West Asheville

30+

Arcade

[Level 256 Classic Arcade Bar](/locations/level-256-classic-arcade-bar)

South Slope

15+

Barcade

[DSSOLVR](/locations/dssolvr)

Downtown

A few

Brewery

[Silverball Subs](/locations/silverball-subs)

West Asheville

A few

Sub shop

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Here's where to find pinball across the Asheville metro.

## Asheville Arcades

### The Retrocade

**Arcade · West Asheville**

![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/best-pinball-asheville/inline/6957f04daca5ce6bf3b4fb89_retrocade.avif)

[The Retrocade](/locations/the-retrocade) spreads games across two floors in this West Asheville space on Haywood Road. A $10 admission covers unlimited play all day, including the option to leave and return. The venue welcomes all ages until 9pm, then switches to 21+ for the late-night crowd.

-   Pinball machines: 30+
-   Practical notes: $10 unlimited play; beer and wine available; all ages until 9pm, 21+ after
-   Address: 800 Haywood Road, Suite 100, Asheville, NC 28806

## Asheville Bars with Pinball

### Level 256 Classic Arcade Bar

**Arcade bar · South Slope**

![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/best-pinball-asheville/inline/6957f05b38fb82358c48ef1a_level_256.avif)

[Level 256 Classic Arcade Bar](/locations/level-256-classic-arcade-bar) sits in the heart of Asheville's South Slope brewery district. The space combines pinball and classic arcade cabinets with 16 rotating draft taps. Weekly IFPA tournaments run on Sundays, and the bar offers family hours on Saturday afternoons and Sunday afternoons for those bringing kids.

-   Pinball machines: 15+
-   Practical notes: $10 unlimited play; 21+ except Saturday 12–5pm and Sunday 2–5pm; Sunday pinball tournaments
-   Address: 79 Coxe Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801

## Asheville Breweries with Pinball Machines

### DSSOLVR

**Brewery · Downtown**

![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/best-pinball-asheville/inline/6957f06730c8e305d3bec626_dssolvr.webp)

This downtown brewery, [DSSOLVR](/locations/dssolvr), keeps pinball machines in its taproom alongside an eclectic beer lineup spanning IPAs, lagers, sours, and non-alcoholic options. Thursday evenings bring a weekly pinball tournament from 7–9pm, with monthly Stern Army events on the first Thursday of each month.

-   Pinball machines: A few
-   Practical notes: Thursday pinball tournaments; dog-friendly patio; beer, wine, cider, mead available
-   Address: 63 N Lexington Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801

## Asheville Entertainment Venues with Pinball

### Silverball Subs

**Sub shop · West Asheville**

![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/best-pinball-asheville/inline/6957f070a44994ebc30f8b27_silverball_subs.webp)

[Silverball Subs](/locations/silverball-subs) pairs NJ/NY-style subs with a small pinball lineup in West Asheville. The shop uses local ingredients—bread from Annie's Bakery, produce from the WNC Farmers Market—and serves craft beer alongside fountain sodas. Daytime hours make this a lunch-and-pinball stop rather than a night-out destination.

-   Pinball machines: A few
-   Practical notes: Coin-drop play; craft beer available; closes early evening
-   Address: 347 New Leicester Highway, Unit C, Asheville, NC 28806

Downtown visitors can walk between Level 256 and DSSOLVR in minutes, making the South Slope an efficient route for anyone hitting multiple spots. West Asheville's venues require a car or rideshare between them. Tournament players should check Level 256's Sunday schedule and DSSOLVR's Thursday events for competitive action.

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Know of a pinball spot we missed, or has something changed? Send updates our way.

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Last updated: January 2026

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