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.
Houston Arcades
The Game Preserve
Arcade · Spring
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
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
Gandalf's 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
EinStein's 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
EinStein's Pub & 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
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
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
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
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.
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Last updated: January 2026
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