# Where to Play Pinball in Houston: Arcades, Bars, and Breweries with Machines by [Colin Alsheimer](/author/colin) · May 2, 2023 · [Travel](/news/category/travel) > Houston's sprawling metro has pinball scattered across free play arcades, neighborhood bars, breweries, and dive bars—from the suburbs to downtown and everywhere in between. Houston's pinball scene spreads across a metro that covers more than 600 square miles. You'll find machines in free play arcades in the suburbs, neighborhood bars in Katy and Richmond, a craft brewery in the Heights, dive bars in Montrose and downtown, and a barcade in EaDo. The city also hosts an active competitive pinball community through the Space City Pinball League, which organizes tournaments and weekly leagues at venues throughout the area. ‍ Whether you're looking for a dedicated arcade experience with dozens of games on free play, a casual drink with a few machines nearby, or a brewery where you can chase a high score between pints, Houston has options across the region. Here's where to find pinball across the Houston metro. ‍ Venue Area Machines Type [The Game Preserve](/locations/the-game-preserve) Spring 30+ Arcade [EinStein's Pub](/locations/einsteins-pub) Katy 30+ Bar [The Game Preserve NASA](/locations/the-game-preserve-nasa) Webster 20+ Arcade [Gandalf's Arcade](/locations/gandalfs-arcade) Northwest Houston 20+ Private arcade [Eureka Heights Brew Co](/locations/eureka-heights-brew-co) The Heights 20+ Brewery [Cidercade Houston](/locations/cidercade-houston) EaDo 15+ Barcade [EinStein's Pub & Arcade](/locations/einsteins-pub-and-arcade) Richmond 15+ Bar & arcade [Little Dipper Lounge](/locations/little-dipper-lounge) Downtown 10+ Bar [Poison Girl](/locations/poison-girl) Montrose A few Bar ‍ ## Houston Arcades ### The Game Preserve **Arcade · Spring** ![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pinball-arcades-houston/inline/695ada7e83cd71a9d4a6dd8e_694028f7406b4fb151ad7071_the-game-preserve-pinball-arcade.webp) [The Game Preserve](/locations/the-game-preserve) operates as a free play arcade in Spring with a pay-one-price admission model. Day passes run $15, with monthly memberships available for individuals ($35) and families ($70). The arcade allows BYOB and BYOF, and features the Adaptive Flipper Control system that allows one-handed play on equipped machines. - Pinball machines: 30+ - Practical notes: Free play with day pass or membership, BYOB/BYOF allowed, hosts leagues and tournaments - Address: 473 Sawdust Road, Spring, TX 77380 ### The Game Preserve NASA **Arcade · Webster** ![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pinball-arcades-houston/inline/695ada95cb43f5929c271b4e_67073af57feca4c4fadcc3c3_game-preserve-nasa.avif) [The Game Preserve NASA](/locations/the-game-preserve-nasa) is the second Game Preserve location, opened in 2019 near NASA's Johnson Space Center. The 11,000-square-foot space-themed arcade uses the same pay-one-price admission model as the Spring location, with all games set to free play. - Pinball machines: 20+ - Practical notes: Free play with day pass or membership, BYOB allowed, hosts leagues and tournaments - Address: 20810 Gulf Freeway, Suite Z, Webster, TX 77598 ### Gandalf's Arcade **Private arcade · Northwest Houston** ![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pinball-arcades-houston/inline/42b888699e28.jpg) [Gandalf's Arcade](/locations/gandalfs-arcade) operates by appointment only as a private venue for rentals and tournament play. The collection spans classic and modern titles and regularly hosts local competitive events. The arcade also appears at regional events including the Houston Arcade Expo. - Pinball machines: 20+ - Practical notes: By appointment only, available for private events and tournaments - Address: 10606 Hempstead Road, Suite 150, Houston, TX 77092 ## Houston Bars with Pinball ### EinStein's Pub **Bar · Katy** ![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pinball-arcades-houston/inline/695adadaf9706c2977cc2fd8_6707448de0a079e73773c71b_einsteins-pub-katy-texas-pinball.avif) [EinStein's Pub](/locations/einsteins-pub) has operated in Katy since 1996, building a reputation for well-maintained machines. Games run $0.50-$0.75 per play via PayRange, and the bar hosts monthly tournaments through the Space City Pinball League (EinStein's Drainiacs, second Sunday at 1pm). - Pinball machines: 30+ - Practical notes: $.50-.75 per play, monthly tournaments, serves food and drinks, patio smoking only - Address: 873 S Mason Road, Suite 360, Katy, TX 77450 ### EinStein's Pub & Arcade **Bar & arcade · Richmond** ![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pinball-arcades-houston/inline/695adaf41352f5ad5b1bc8ff_670709ddc0f457835b53f460_einstein-s-pub-and-arcade-pinball-arcade.avif) [EinStein's Pub & Arcade](/locations/einsteins-pub-and-arcade) is the second EinStein's location, with a collection spanning machines from the 1970s to current releases. The venue is family-friendly until 9pm, then 21+. Monthly tournaments run through the Space City Pinball League (EinStein's E=mc², fourth Sunday at 1pm). - Pinball machines: 15+ - Practical notes: Family-friendly until 9pm/21+ after, monthly tournaments, serves food and drinks - Address: 16733 West Airport Boulevard, #290, Richmond, TX 77407 ### Cidercade Houston **Barcade · EaDo** ![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pinball-arcades-houston/inline/695adb168f56e61075346525_670743cb982bc9fff83d3c2e_cidercade-houston-pinball-arcade.avif) [Cidercade Houston](/locations/cidercade-houston) houses over 275 arcade and pinball games with a $12 admission for unlimited play. The barcade serves house-made hard ciders and craft beers alongside pizza from the on-site kitchen. Family-friendly during the day, 18+ at 9pm. - Pinball machines: 15+ - Practical notes: $12 unlimited play, family-friendly until 9pm/18+ after, food and cider on-site - Address: 2320 Canal Street, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77003 ### Little Dipper Lounge **Bar · Downtown** ![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pinball-arcades-houston/inline/695adb3486d166513bec4791_67071886d24ebcfd829eecad_Little-Dipper-Lounge.avif) [Little Dipper Lounge](/locations/little-dipper-lounge) sits on Main Street in downtown Houston with a retro-styled interior featuring vintage books, neon signage, and a photo booth. The bar hosts monthly pinball tournaments (third Sunday at 1pm) and shares ownership with Poison Girl. - Pinball machines: 10+ - Practical notes: Monthly tournaments, extensive bourbon selection, photo booth - Address: 304 Main St, Houston, TX 77002 ### Poison Girl **Bar · Montrose** ![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pinball-arcades-houston/inline/695adbddd5ad658907105a14_poison_girl.webp) [Poison Girl](/locations/poison-girl) occupies a corner of Montrose with an extensive whiskey collection (100+ bourbons), eclectic décor, and a back patio. The machines rotate periodically. Open 3pm-2am daily with happy hour 3pm-7pm. - Pinball machines: A few - Practical notes: 100+ bourbons, back patio, rotating machine lineup - Address: 1641 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77006 ## Houston Breweries with Pinball Machines ### Eureka Heights Brew Co **Brewery · The Heights** ![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pinball-arcades-houston/inline/695adbddd5ad658907105a14_poison_girl.webp) [Eureka Heights Brew Co](/locations/eureka-heights-brew-co) occupies an open manufacturing space with picnic tables and a lineup of machines maintained by former Wormhole pinball operators. The collection leans heavily toward newer Stern titles. The brewery hosts Space City Pinball League play on Wednesday nights and has rotating food trucks. - Pinball machines: 20+ - Practical notes: Wednesday night league play, food trucks, pet-friendly zones - Address: 941 West 18th Street, Houston, TX 77008 Houston's pinball options span the full range—from dedicated free play arcades where you can spend an entire day to neighborhood bars with a handful of machines near the pool tables. If you're looking for competitive play, the Space City Pinball League runs tournaments and leagues at venues across the metro and hosts the annual Space City Open at the Houston Arcade Expo each November. ‍ See something that needs updating? Drop us a line. ‍ Last updated: January 2026 --- _Canonical URL: https://www.kineticist.com/news/pinball-arcades-houston_