Where to Play Pinball & Arcade Games

Tilted Arcade Bar in Jackson, Michigan, is a great place to bring a date and play old-school arcade games, pinball, pool, and foosball. Tilted offers a full bar and a nice little menu with tacos, nachos, and pretzels. Tilted feels like a friendly neighborhood bar with a laid-back atmosphere, reasonable prices and well-maintained arcade and pinball games. 

Set in a church building built in 1890, The Playhouse is a trendy hangout in Rochester, NY right on the border of the Southwedge and Swillburg neighborhoods. The Playhouse has a full bar with craft cocktails, two floors full of vintage arcade games, and Swillburger, a modern take on American burger joints complete with vegan and gluten free options. Play classic arcade games like Pacman and Donkey Kong, newer games like Guitar Hero, plus skeeball, shuffleboard, and a whole room dedicated to pinball with modern favorites and a couple of 90’s classics. Swillburger is family friendly until 10pm.

Emporium Logan Square in Chicago Illinios is an adult-only playland that combines the best of gaming and entertainment. As one of the top pinball barcades in the city, Emporium features sixteen classic machines, ranging from underrated favorites like Baywatch and Breakshot to out-and-proud fan choices like White Water and World Cup Soccer. Besides pinball, Emporium also offers foosball tables, air hockey, Super Chexx bubble hockey, arcade basketball and more for adult gamers looking for an ultimate pastime experience.

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Emporium hosts tournaments for those looking for a more competitive edge, so keep your eyes peeled if you're ready to take your skills to the next level! Emporium has a great selection of craft beers and cocktails, but it's important to note that you won't find any food here - you'll have to bring your own if you're looking for a snack. Overall Emporium Logan Square is a great spot for 21+ adults looking to tap into their inner child while enjoying a tasty beverage or two!

Have you ever had a crush on a grocery store? You might develop one at MOM's Organic Market in Abington, PA. Sure, it is a fresh fruit and veggie store with bulk goods and a sustainable clothing line. But behind a partition in their own little room you’ll find a paradise of silver balls, flippers, and blinking lights awaits you. There are also a couple of video game cabinets, and all games and these classic pins are 50 cents to play so bring your quarters. Do try the cooked edible insects like mealworms and crickets while you’re in the grocery store, won’t you?

Jilly's Arcade is on the Boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey. It is open daily and year-round for family fun. They have over 100 retro and modern arcade games, including pinball machines, crane games, driving games, air hockey, pool tables, skee ball, and more. The pinball collection includes Stranger Things, Spiderman, Ghostbusters, The Munsters, and much more. They have something for kids of all ages. 

EinStein's Pub & Arcade features pinball, music, and sports. It is a great place to hang out with friends and family in a neighborhood bar style environment. They have a great selection of draft beers and food and goes 21+ after 9 pm each night. Besides pinball, EinStein's Pub and Arcade has air hockey, skee ball, bubble hockey, foosball, and DDR. The pinball collection is 15+ games ranging from the 1970s to current games, and they hold monthly tournaments. They also have a DJ Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

Tokens Taproom is a small, but well-curated barcade located in Dover, NH. They have a variety of well-maintained pinball machines on site, plus skee-ball and a selection of retro arcade games. The staff is friendly and there are a variety of alcoholic drink options and some light snacks if you get hungry. Check their events for upcoming tournaments and other fun activities like trivia nights and movie screenings.

Level 256 Classic Arcade Bar is a great place to play pinball in downtown Asheville, NC. They have a variety of gaming options, from classic video games to consoles and plenty of pinball machines. They also have a diverse craft beer selection, plus a variety of other drinks like ciders, seltzers, wine and more. $10 cover charge and the games are all on free play. They run regular pinball tournaments too, for those looking for competitive pinball action.

Caffetto Café in Minneapolis, Minnesota is the perfect place to get your caffeine fix and play some pinball. This retro arcade has a large collection of pinball machines, with 14 games to choose from. The Caffetto Café is also known for its cute, quirky decor and focus on displaying local art from the community. The pinball machines are located in the basement, so if you're looking for a challenge, head on down!

If you want to take a break from the everyday grind and reminisce on the good times of your childhood, be sure to check out Up-Down Milwaukee, the Milwaukee outpost of the Up-Down Arcade chain.

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This Milwaukee barcade is the perfect mix of old-school nostalgia and new age fun, with 13 pinball machines on location comprised of classic Bally and Williams tables plus a few modern Sterns for good measure. The arcade also has skee ball, video arcade games, craft beers on tap, creative cocktails, and hand-made pizzas with unconventional toppings like bacon mac n' cheese.

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It's a great spot for an adults night out - emphasis on "adult", don't bring the kids! And if you're up for some fresh air while you play up your favorite retro classics, they also have a rooftop patio to enjoy when it's nice out.

Located in the heart of Brooklyn, Jackbar is a hidden gem for any fan of pinball. This unpretentious dive bar offers a great array of new and classic pinball machines from the recently released Toy Story 4 table from Jersey jack to classic releases like Fish Tales from Williams. Along with their diverse selection of machines, Jackbar also has a large assortment of 18 beers on tap and other alcoholic drinks that act as a perfect lubricant for flippin' some silverball. Whether you're looking for somewhere to chill out or seek a good old-fashioned friendly competition, Jackbar provides it all in relaxed surrounding free of non-pinball distractions perfect to keep you flipping all night. Offering up titular jackpots with its well maintained machines, Jackbar stands amongst Brooklyn's most unique hidden gems.

1up Arcade Bar in Denver's lively LODO neighborhood is a great spot for adults looking for a unique nightlife experience.

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1up is one of two 1up locations in Denver, and it's the perfect balance between bar and arcade. With 16 pinball machines on-site plus a variety of classic arcade games, 1up will keep you entertained all evening.

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The adult-focused barcade setup has craft beer, cocktails, and all your favorite bar fixins ready to be enjoyed while playing some of your favorite throwback games such as skee ball, arcade hoops or other interactive classics. 1up even offers monthly IFPA certified pinball tournaments held on every 1st Sunday to keep the competitive spirit alive. Whether it's an evening with friends or a special date night at 1up Arcade Bar, it's sure to be a truly memorable experience.

C-Bar is a divey little arcade bar in Portland, Oregon, and it's got quite the selection of pinball machines - 15 to be exact. They've got a mix of classics and moderns, and they're all pretty cheap! Most machines are set to $.50 per play, so you can definitely get your money's worth in here. And if you get hungry, they've got food options too, plus a pretty solid selection of craft beer on tap. So if you're ever in Portland and looking for a lower key place to drink and play some pinball, C-Bar should be on your list to explore.

If you're a fan of pinball looking for somewhere to play, you've gotta check out Sunshine Laundromat in Brooklyn, New York. Recently reopened after being shut down due to Covid-19, this innovative arcade and bar has the perfect combination of laundry services and pinball fun. There are 18 games on location, from classic machines like Creature from the Black Lagoon, Congo and The Shadow, as well as some rare Limited Edition Stern models like Godzilla LE, Rush LE and Jurassic Park LE. It's not often that you'll find Stern Limited Editions at any arcade or bar, so this makes it a great destination for pinball enthusiasts.

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Plus, with fully functioning coin-operated laundry services in the front and a completely stocked craft beer bar in the back - Sunshine Laundromat boasts a truly unique experience where no two visits will ever be exactly the same! They also host events like leagues and pinball tournaments regularly - so there's always something fun happening. So why not make your laundry day one to remember? Head over to Sunshine Laundromat to get your ground-breaking laundro/arcade/bar fix! You won't regret it!

Upstate Pinball and Arcade museum is a fun retro arcade experience with a diverse collection of pinball machines and video arcade games. Pinball machines range from the 1970s to today's games and retro consoles and classic arcades from the golden age of the arcades (1977-1987). You also can read about the history of the many pieces they have in the museum. They are open Wednesday - Saturday. It is $10 for all-day admission, no quarters are needed. 

Barcade in Brooklyn is the perfect spot for a night of nostalgic fun. This small chain was the first establishment to combine classic arcade games with craft beer and cocktails, offering visitors the chance to relive their youth while enjoying modern adult beverages. Barcade Brooklyn boasts an impressive lineup of 12 pinball machines, plus a collection of classic retro video games for visitors to enjoy. All of these come with a 21+ only rule, making Barcade an exciting adults-only destination. Beer enthusiasts will love Barcade's focus on craft brews as well as inventive cocktails. If you get hungry while you're there, Barcade has small snacks available or you can order delivery from nearby local restaurants. Barcade Brooklyn is a unique experience that combines the best of old-school gaming with modern libations!

Do you ever feel like a silver ball bouncing around in a pinball machine? You might be at Kickback Pinball Cafe in Pittsburgh, PA, where the decor really puts you in the game. Kickback is a colorful, quirky joint with two floors of classic and modern pinball machines serving homemade sandwiches, salads, a full espresso menu, and fresh rotating single-origin drip coffee. There’s no better way to fight existential dread than flipping out – on a pinball machine! BYOB. 

Craft beer and pinball go together like peanut butter and jelly. So it's no surprise that we'd put the SingleCut QNS taproom high on our lists. Not only do they make consistently good beer, but they now offer a selection of pinball machines in the back that you can bang on while sipping brews. Games include a mix of picks from classics like Tales of the Arabian Nights to new releases like Stern's JAWS. According to reviews on Pinball Map, games appear to be well maintained. They also offer the occasional IFPA certified tournament. Besides pinball, this taproom also has a nice patio, live music, vinyl records, and a lot more to enjoy.

If you’re on the lookout for an electrifying entertainment experience, then look no further than Free Play Arcade in Fort Worth! This small Texas chain of barcades boasts free play games with an entry fee of $12, plus snacks and sandwiches. Speaking of free play games, they’ve got an impressive lineup featuring 12 awesome pinball machines as well as everything from classic arcade games to Dance Dance Revolution, Bubble Hockey and Killer Queen. It gets even better – visiting the rooftop Tiki cocktail and slushy venue will take your experience to a whole other level. For the legal drinkers out there, note that it becomes 18+ after 9pm Sunday through Thursday and 21+ after 9pm on Friday and Saturday. With their unbeatable selection of retro and cutting-edge games, a night at Free Play Arcade will certainly be one to remember!

Do people come to Miniboss in San Jose, CA just for the craft cocktails? Yes, but then they also geek out over the old school arcade with throwbacks like Ms. Pac Man and Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker. Play popular modern pinball like Monster Bash and Theater of Magic for 75 cents or free on Thursdays. This chic retro barcade also offers full table service and Asian fusion cuisine. Try the Winter on Niberu cocktail – it is like a boozy strawberry milkshake.