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Where to Play Pinball in Boston: Arcades, Bars, and Breweries with Machines

Published on

November 15, 2022

Updated on

January 2, 2026

Credits

Colin Alsheimer

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If you're looking for pinball in Boston, you'll quickly discover that the city's tight real estate means dedicated pinball arcades are rare. High rents and older building footprints make it difficult for large collections to thrive in Boston proper. Instead, pinball is distributed across bars, breweries, and pop-up spaces in surrounding communities like Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, and Peabody.

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That said, the Boston area benefits from dedicated local operators who prioritize machine quality over collection size. The result is a handful of venues with well-maintained games that rotate regularly. Whether you're looking for vintage electromechanical titles, 90s classics, or the latest Stern releases, there's something within a short drive or train ride from downtown.

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Venue	Area	Machines	Type
Pop's Pinball - Deep Cuts	Medford	10+	Pinball Arcade
Roxy's Arcade	Cambridge	10+	Barcade
Double Bull Taphouse	Peabody	10+	Taphouse
Pop's Pinball	Somerville	10+	Pinball Arcade
Flat Top Johnny's	Cambridge	10+	Pool Hall
Bully Boy Distillers	Boston (Roxbury)	A few	Distillery

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

Boston Bars with Pinball

Flat Top Johnny's

Pool hall · Kendall Square, Cambridge

Flat Top Johnny's is a no-frills pool hall and arcade bar near the Kendall T stop, known for its dive-bar atmosphere and affordable late-night eats. The venue combines pool tables, darts, and a lineup of pinball machines operated by Pinball Over Boston, making it a popular spot for casual play and league nights.

Pinball machines: 10+
Practical notes: 21+, burgers and hot dogs available, multiple pool tables
Address: 238 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Roxy's Arcade

Barcade · Central Square, Cambridge

Roxy's Arcade is a 21+ speakeasy-style barcade hidden behind Roxy's Grilled Cheese—enter through the freezer door. The venue pairs craft cocktails and a late-night menu with retro and modern arcade cabinets, DJ nights, trivia, and karaoke alongside a rotating selection of pinball machines.

Pinball machines: 10+
Practical notes: 21+ only, token-operated games, live DJs Friday and Saturday nights
Address: 292 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

Boston Entertainment Venues with Pinball

Pop's Pinball

Pinball arcade · Bow Market, Somerville

Pop's Pinball at Bow Market in Somerville started as a temporary pop-up and has become a neighborhood fixture. The intimate space focuses exclusively on pinball, with a curated rotation of vintage electromechanical machines and solid-state classics from the 70s through the 90s. The arcade is unattended, so players can come and go freely.

Pinball machines: 10+
Practical notes: All ages, approximately $1 per play, food and drink available from nearby Bow Market vendors
Address: 1 Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA 02143

Pop's Pinball - Deep Cuts

Pinball arcade · Medford

Pop's Pinball - Deep Cuts is a second location from the Pop's Pinball team, operating inside Deep Cuts in Medford. The room features a mirrored ceiling, moody lighting, and a selection of machines spanning classic titles and cult favorites, creating an intimate setting for date nights or post-show visits.

Pinball machines: 10+
Practical notes: Check Pop's Pinball for current hours and event nights
Address: 21 Main St, Medford, MA 02155

Double Bull Taphouse

Taphouse · Peabody

Double Bull Taphouse at the Northshore Mall in Peabody is a sprawling two-story beer garden with over 50 taps, elevated pub fare, and a dedicated upstairs pinball room with its own bar. Operated by Pinball Over Boston, the machines skew toward recent Stern titles alongside rotating classics. The venue also offers bocce, shuffleboard, and darts.

Pinball machines: 10+
Practical notes: Family-friendly, full restaurant menu, about 30 minutes north of Boston
Address: 210 Andover St, Peabody, MA 01960

Boston Distilleries with Pinball

Bully Boy Distillers

Distillery · Roxbury, Boston

Bully Boy Distillers is Boston's first modern craft distillery, producing whiskey, rum, gin, and vodka with a rotating cocktail menu and guided tours. The tasting room includes a back lounge with a small game area featuring pinball machines for casual play between drinks.

Pinball machines: A few
Practical notes: 21+, cocktail bar, distillery tours available
Address: 44 Cedric St, Boston, MA 02119

The Boston metro's pinball scene is spread across multiple communities, so having access to transit or a car expands your options significantly. For collectors of classic machines, Pop's Pinball locations offer a curated vintage experience. For those seeking modern titles alongside food and drinks, Double Bull and Flat Top Johnny's deliver. And if you want something uniquely Boston, Bully Boy pairs local spirits with a few games in the back.

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If you spot any changes or closures, let us know—machine counts and lineups rotate regularly at most venues.

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Last updated: January 2026

Pinball in Boston: FAQ

Where can I find pinball machines in Boston?

While Boston proper has limited options, pinball machines can be found at venues across the metro area including Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, and Peabody. Flat Top Johnny's and Roxy's Arcade in Cambridge, Pop's Pinball locations in Somerville and Medford, Double Bull Taphouse in Peabody, and Bully Boy Distillers in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood all have machines.

Are there any pinball arcades in the Boston area?

Pop's Pinball at Bow Market in Somerville is the closest thing to a dedicated pinball arcade in the immediate Boston area, focusing exclusively on vintage and classic machines. For larger collections, players typically travel outside the metro to venues in New Hampshire or Rhode Island.

Is there pinball near Harvard or MIT?

Yes. Flat Top Johnny's is located in Kendall Square near MIT, and Roxy's Arcade is in Central Square, Cambridge—both accessible via the Red Line. Pop's Pinball at Bow Market in Somerville is also nearby via the Red Line to Davis Square.

Are there family-friendly pinball spots in Boston?

Pop's Pinball locations welcome all ages, and Double Bull Taphouse in Peabody is family-friendly during regular dining hours. Roxy's Arcade and Flat Top Johnny's are 21+ venues.

Where is the most pinball in Boston?

Pop's Pinball - Deep Cuts in Medford and Roxy's Arcade in Cambridge each have around a dozen machines. Double Bull Taphouse in Peabody has a similar count on its second floor. For the largest single collection in the region, players typically travel to venues outside the immediate Boston metro.