Where to Play Pinball & Arcade Games

Formerly a secret pinball speakeasy, Add A Ball is a hidden gem in the Fremont area of Seattle, WA, located across the street from Brouwers on the alley. Add A Ball is a retro dive bar arcade with two floors of video arcade games and glorious old pinball machines. It’s worth visiting just to scope out the quirky decor, but you’ll also find quirky pins like Badcats, Party Animal, and Radical! For an adults-only bar serving up strong drinks, cheap beer, and pizza by the slice, these machines are beautifully maintained. Even the locals will tell you this place is very Seattle.

Revenge Of is an amazing comic book store with a pinball machine collection. They have about 15 pinball machines. Revenge Of also holds pinball tournaments. 

Level One Bar + Arcade in Columbus, OH is an 80’s themed bar where arcade games are free if you’re drinking and pinball is only 50 cents. Level One is small and locally owned and serves up local craft beers and cocktails. Pinball includes games like Medieval Madness, Iron Maiden, Deadpool, Tales from the Crypt, and Banzai Run and are all well maintained. Bring a date or join a league!

Bartari is retro-inspired and has a little something for everyone. It is part bar, part restaurant, and part arcade. They have over 40 video games from the '80s and '90s, pool tables, skee ball, and pinball machines. Their pinball collection includes 10+ current machines. They also hold pinball tournaments. The bar has over 20 taps of craft and domestic beers and ciders. They also have a wide selection of bottles and cans, wine, a full bar,  plus '80s and 90's inspired cocktails such as the Electric Smurf and Snoop Cooler. The restaurant is Gastropub cuisine with a focus on shareable dishes. Bartari is family-friendly until 9 pm. 

Billy's Midway Arcade in Hawthorne, NJ is a love letter to all kids who rushed to the arcade after school to spend a tiny fortune. From the vintage pinball machines to classic arcade games like Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, TRON, Donkey Kong, and just when you think you've got your fill, there is a super cool back room where you can play tabletop games like Risk or Dungeons & Dragons and vintage consoles like Atari and Sega. Pay for your time, and games are set to free play. Don’t miss Fix It Felix Jr!

Arapahoe Bowling Center in Greenwood Village, CO, is a classic bowling alley with pool, cornhole, arcade basketball, mini bowling, and pinball machines from the ’80s and ’90s like Earthshaker, Fireball Classic, and Popeye Saves the Earth. Arapahoe has a full bar and good bar food, too. 

Pizza and pinball in an 80’s style arcade. What more do you need? Youngsters and the young at heart will love this winning combination at Georgetown Pizza and Arcade in Seattle, WA. The pizza’s are big enough to satisfy the whole family and they also sell by the slice, plus beer, ciders, and wine. The pinball collection includes older games, such as Xenon and Eight Ball, to recent games, like Game of Thrones, Aerosmith, and Iron Maiden. Georgetown Pizza and Arcade holds weekly tournaments on Thursdays and Sundays. They are family-friendly until 8 pm. 

Pins Mechanical Co in Easton Town Center in Columbus, OH has three floors of foosball, duckpin bowling, ping pong, and patio pong, plus over 30 pinball machines including Theatre of Magic, Scared Stiff, Hurricane, and Phantom of the Opera. There are three full bars and rotating food trucks, but you can also bring your own food. Take advantage of the outdoor area and firepits, and don’t miss sliding out at the end of your visit. Kids must be accompanied by adults. 

Logan Arcade in Chicago, Illinois is a must-visit for any pinball enthusiast. Home to 35 machines and counting that range from the latest Stern Pinball games to classics like Centigrade 37, Radical!, and Robocop, Logan Arcade has something for everyone. Logan Arcade proudly boasts three TWIPY awards for "Best Pinball Location" in the U.S., making it one of if not the best Pinball Bar in the country! With regular game release parties, tournaments, and other fun events, Logan Arcade ensures a great experience no matter what your skill level may be. All pinball machines are very well-maintained - especially for a public location - so you can feel confident regardless of what machine you choose. What's more, Logan Arcade also has a few retro arcade games on offer so there's definitely something for everyone here - just remember that Logan Arcade is strictly 21+ only!

Birdfish Brewing Co. is a great brewery with 20+ pinball machines. The pinball collection covers a variety of newer games. For the brewery, it has indoor and outdoor space with lots of different beer and ciders available. They also have food trucks on site. 

Pins Mechanical Co in Pittsburgh, PA is a swanky social destination featuring duckpin bowling, ping pong, bocce ball, hookie, dozens of classic pinball machines, and old-school arcade games for free. Bring your own food and enjoy their high-quality cocktails and craft beers. Pins is kid-friendly until 9 pm at which point you’ll want to take the slide back down to the door. 

Bang Back Pinball Lounge in Columbia, SC, is a trendy barcade serving up circuit tournament-ready pinball machines and amazing food like bao buns and crunchy wonton tacos. A skilled mixologist is mixing up exceptional cocktails and a great craft beer selection. Bring your quarters and be seen climbing the leaderboard. 

Skills Shot Arcade has 20-plus pinball and classic arcade games. There are open on Wednesdays and Fridays for unlimited play. You can pay per person or family packs are available. They also have many options for birthday and private events. 

THE destination for pinball in Los Angeles, AYCE Gogi Korean BBQ and Pinball in Van Nuys, California serves up all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and the hottest new pinball machines. It’s like a pinhead’s dream come true. Fill up on hot stone bibimbap, spicy bulgogi and even beef tongue and don’t miss the deep fried Nutella Oreo dessert. Bring friends and drink cocktails from a flaming punchbowl or choose a local craft beer. Featuring many newly released machines like Stranger Things and Rick and Morty, AYCE Gogi hosts frequent launch parties to celebrate new additions, as well as tournaments and occasionally the state championship players. Rumor has it Gary Stern stops by when he is in town!

Timeline Arcade is the place to step back in time with over 300+ video arcade games and pinball machines. The overall selection of pinball machines includes both old and new games. They have retro decor and also have a pool table. They do allow BYOB after 7 pm. Timeline Arcade is $10 per hour and $5 for each additional hour. They do have a $25 all-day pass. Children are welcome but must have a parent present in the facility. 

Houston? We have an enormous arcade. The Game Preserve NASA in Webster, TX, is a large space-themed retro arcade with a pay-one-price system and a ton of retro video games and a few pinball machines from the last 30 years. They also have a good selection of candy, light snacks, and drinks, but also allow you to bring food in or BYOB.

Wedgehead is a barcade in Portland Oregon that boasts an extensive rotating pinball collection. They keep around 20 games on location at any given time but have a selection of over 150 machines to rotate from. Games are set to free play with your admission fee, so you can play all day if you want (plus they allow ins and outs). If you're looking to compete, they host a casual weekly pinball tournament format called Howdy Pardner!

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Unlike some of the other more popular arcades in Portland and elsewhere, Wedgehead focuses exclusively on pinball machines, so no video games or other arcade machines to district you from your intended purpose. They offer a food menu to go with your beverages that features items like burgers, sandwiches, burritos and shareable appetizers. Customers rave about the food and quality of the pinball machines at Wedgehead. If you love pinball and good food, Wedgehead is the place for you! Note - Wedghead becomes a 21+ adults only establishment after 6pm every night.

Quarter-Up is a bar arcade space to play, eat, and drink. Quarter-Up has a collection of 78 games, including 18 pinball machines and a foosball table. They do have kid-friendly hours on Saturdays and Sundays. Quarter-Up also holds 21+ pinball tournaments. For food, they have a complete menu that includes appetizers, hot dogs, brats, sandwiches, and burgers. For drinks, they offer a full-service bar with craft beer. At Quarter-up, people of all ages enjoy the games and good food.

The Sanctuary of the Silver Ball is the Northwest Pinball Collective’s membership-based community space in Seattle, WA. The Northwest Pinball Collective is a nonprofit that aims to explore new territory beyond Seattle’s excellent barcade scene. The Sanctuary focuses exclusively on pinball and pinball culture, as well as the needs of its members and the pinball community at large. The Sanctuary holds a rotating selection of 20 free-play pinball machines accessible for members, as well as tournaments, classes, and repair parties.