# Where to Play Pinball in Austin: Arcades, Bars, and Entertainment Venues with Machines by [Colin Alsheimer](/author/colin) · November 7, 2022 · [Travel](/news/category/travel) > Austin's pinball scene spans dedicated arcades with 90+ machines, free-play entertainment venues, neighborhood bars with league nights, and craft beer spots in the surrounding metro. Whether you're after Texas's largest pinball lineup or casual games with local cider, Austin delivers. Austin has emerged as a pinball destination in Texas. The city's offerings range from membership-based pinball collectives with rotating rosters of 90+ machines to neighborhood bars hosting weekly leagues. For visitors, the variety means options whether you're traveling through north Austin, south of the river, or the Cedar Park suburbs. Beyond the dedicated arcades, Austin's entertainment scene has embraced pinball as part of larger concepts. Free-play venues like Cidercade pair unlimited gaming with house-made ciders, while Pins Mechanical Co. adds duckpin bowling and cocktails to the mix. The result is a metro area where pinball enthusiasts can spend an entire weekend hopping between distinctly different venues. ‍ Venue Area Machines Type [Austin Pinball Collective](/locations/austin-pinball-collective) East Austin 90+ Pinball Collective [Pinballz Arcade](/locations/pinballz-arcade) North Austin 70+ Arcade [Pinballz Lake Creek](/locations/pinballz-lake-creek) North Austin 50+ Entertainment Complex [Cidercade Austin](/locations/cidercade-austin) East Riverside 15+ Arcade Bar [Bender Bar and Grill](/locations/bender-bar-and-grill) South Austin 15+ Bar [The Brewtique](/locations/the-brewtique) Cedar Park A few Bottle Shop [Pins Mechanical Co.](/locations/pins-mechanical-co) South Austin A few Entertainment Venue ‍ Here's where to find pinball across the Austin metro. ## Austin Arcades with Pinball ### Austin Pinball Collective **Nonprofit pinball collective · East Austin** ![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/play-pinball-austin-texas/inline/695b0233df05b9fe307b126e_6941c29df38294ea6d00e13c_austin-pinball-collective.webp) [Austin Pinball Collective](/locations/austin-pinball-collective) operates as a community-driven pinball hub where local enthusiasts have pooled machines, tools, and expertise under one roof. The space functions on a membership model with day-pass options available for visitors, and all games are set to free play once you're in. The collective hosts regular tournaments—including IFPA-sanctioned events—and serves as home base for the Austin Belles & Chimes women's pinball group. - Pinball machines: 90+ - Admission: Membership-based; day passes available ($20 reported for tournament events) - Notes: BYOB, no hard liquor; hosts leagues and tournaments; all games on free play - Address: 1106 Clayton Ln #270W, Austin, TX 78723 ### Pinballz Arcade **Retro arcade · North Austin (Research Blvd)** ![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/play-pinball-austin-texas/inline/40e0c3a083d9.avif) The original [Pinballz Arcade](/locations/pinballz-arcade) opened in 2010 and has since grown into one of Texas's largest pinball operations. This location maintains the chain's deepest pinball collection in a laid-back, token-operated format. The arcade allows BYOB, has an on-site food truck (Mikki's Replay Café), and offers party room rentals for events. Games run on tokens or game cards with prices typically ranging from $0.75 to $1.25 per play. - Pinball machines: 70+ - Admission: Pay-per-play (tokens); no cover - Notes: BYOB; food truck on-site; party rooms available; hosts tournaments - Address: 8940 Research Blvd, Ste 100, Austin, TX 78758 ### Pinballz Lake Creek **Entertainment complex · North Austin** ‍ [Pinballz Lake Creek](/locations/pinballz-lake-creek) expands on the original with a 100,000+ square foot facility that combines pinball and arcade gaming with go-karts, laser tag, VR arenas, escape rooms, bumper cars, and mini-bowling. The venue operates Mikki's Tavern (a scratch kitchen) and The Whiskey Bar on-site. Unlike the original location, this isn't BYOB—but the full-service bars and restaurant make up for it. - Pinball machines: 50+ - Admission: Pay-per-play (tokens/game cards); no cover for arcade floor - Notes: Full restaurant and bars; additional attractions include go-karts, laser tag, VR, escape rooms - Address: 13729 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78750 ## Austin Entertainment Venues with Pinball ### Pins Mechanical Co. **Duckpin bowling bar · South Austin (St. Elmo district)** ![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/play-pinball-austin-texas/inline/695b02a37cb6aacd74fae745_6941c9fdac26fe9bd627e8f8_pins-mechanical-austin.webp) [Pins Mechanical Co.](/locations/pins-mechanical-co) opened its Austin location in the St. Elmo district in April 2025, bringing the Ohio-based chain's concept of duckpin bowling, pinball, and cocktails to South Congress. The 43,000-square-foot venue features 20 duckpin bowling lanes alongside pinball machines (quarters required), foosball, ping pong, and free arcade games with quarters donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities. Food options include JewBoy Sliders and Lefty's Pizza Kitchen. - Pinball machines: A few - Admission: First-come, first-served; no reservations for games; quarters for pinball - Notes: 21+ after 9pm; three bars on-site; outside food allowed (no outside beverages) - Address: 4323 S. Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78745 ### Cidercade Austin **Arcade bar · East Riverside** ![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/play-pinball-austin-texas/inline/695b02bdbeb342cefef46272_670709c97ac10c436f60ebf6_cidercade-austin.avif) [Cidercade Austin](/locations/cidercade-austin) operates on a flat admission model—pay once and play unlimited games, including pinball. The venue combines 150+ arcade games with house-made hard ciders and craft beer on tap. Food options include 12-inch artisan pizzas and smoked wings. The space transitions to 18+ at 9pm. - Pinball machines: 15+ - Admission: $12 flat fee for unlimited free play - Notes: All games included with admission; family-friendly before 9pm, 18+ after; craft cider and beer on tap - Address: 600 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704 ## Austin Bars with Pinball ### Bender Bar and Grill **Neighborhood bar · South Austin** ![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/play-pinball-austin-texas/inline/695b02d7cb3dec584edfc071_67071887d24ebcfd829eee4e_bender-bar-and-grill-1.avif) [Bender Bar and Grill](/locations/bender-bar-and-grill) serves as home base for the South Austin Pinball League, which runs Tuesday nights at 7:30pm. The bar features a dedicated game room with pinball machines alongside pool tables, darts, and video games. Twenty rotating craft beer taps and a full kitchen serving food until midnight round out the offerings. - Pinball machines: 15+ - Admission: Pay-per-play; no cover - Notes: South Austin Pinball League meets Tuesdays at 7:30pm; full bar with 20 craft beer taps; food until midnight - Address: 321 W Ben White Blvd Ste 300, Austin, TX 78704 ## Austin Metro Breweries with Pinball ### The Brewtique **Craft beer bottle shop · Cedar Park** ![__wf_reserved_inherit](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/play-pinball-austin-texas/inline/695b02f36c4ea79e0c2630c6_695affd4d8d7793bf68536c3_the-brewtique.webp) [The Brewtique](/locations/the-brewtique) in Cedar Park combines a curated craft beer selection (200+ bottles and cans) with pinball and games. The bottle shop model lets you buy beer to drink on-site or take home. No kitchen, but outside food is welcome. The space also features board games, darts, and foosball alongside the pinball lineup. - Pinball machines: A few - Admission: Pay-per-play; no cover - Notes: 200+ craft beer selection; no kitchen but outside food allowed; board games available - Address: 401 Cypress Creek Rd #100, Cedar Park, TX 78613 Austin's pinball scene offers something for every type of player. Competitive players can find IFPA-sanctioned tournaments at Austin Pinball Collective and league nights at Bender Bar and Grill, while casual visitors might prefer the unlimited free play model at Cidercade. Families have options at Pinballz Lake Creek (before evening hours) and Cidercade (before 9pm). For the most machines in one place, the original Pinballz Arcade on Research Blvd maintains the deepest collection. Know of a location we missed or spot something that needs updating? Drop us a line.‍ Last updated: January 2026 --- _Canonical URL: https://www.kineticist.com/news/play-pinball-austin-texas_