Where to Play Pinball & Arcade Games

My Father's Place is a great spot for anyone looking for a little bit of everything in Portland. They've got a great selection of pinball machines, as well as classic arcade games, video poker and a pool table. The retro jukebox is a great touch, and the staff are always friendly and helpful. The food is classic diner fare with a few twists, and breakfast is served all day long. And it's somewhat famous for being a haunt of musician Elliot Smith. Whether you're looking for a great diner-style meal or a fun time playing pinball, My Father's Place should be on your list.

Prince Arcades in Bolingbrook, Illinois is a great place to get your retro gaming fix. With 10 pinball machines and a ton of classic arcade games, it's perfect for anyone looking for a dose of nostalgia. The focus at Prince Arcades is solely on the games; there's no bar or restaurant here but it's in a plaza where they are plenty around. That said, it's one of the few places where you can get that full retro mall arcade experience, as it's located in an open-air shopping center. Best of all, games are on free play with a $15 admission fee. So if you're in the Chicago suburbs area and are looking for a great place to bring the family (or just want to relive your childhood), Prince Arcades is the perfect spot. And bonus you can play an Al's Garage Band Goes on a World Tour (Alvin G) which you don't see very often in public locations.

Ready for some retro gaming under black light? LeaderBoard Arcade Bar & Pizzeria in Orange Park near Jacksonville, FL took over an Applebee’s and kept the layout: a bar in the center surrounded by modern arcade games, including a great selection of Japanese games, Dance Dance Revolution and modern pinball machines. The pizza alone is worth the trip and the fried jalapenos do not disappoint either. Grab a beer, cocktail or Japanese soda and fill your game card. Time to get on the leaderboard. 

Headquarters Beercade Chicago is the Windy City's outpost of a growing chain of pinball bars (see also, Nashville), with an amazing selection of 32 pinball machines. They cover all eras, from Bally's Eight Ball to Stern's Game of Thrones and Sega's Space Jam, offering something for everyone. Headquarters Beercade also features a full bar and elevated pub food options like pizza, burgers, and tacos - not to mention retro arcade games, skee ball, and other gaming favorites! With a unique and heavily decorated atmosphere, Headquarters Beercade Chicago is the perfect place to hang out for a few pints and some pins. Chicago pinball fans will certainly feel at home here!

Baltimore’s newest lineup of new popular pins is at Wico Street Beer Co., a brewery with an arcade theme where you can sample some great ales and lagers over a tall drink of nostalgia. Get ready to blow on a Nintendo cartridge to play Super Mario the original way. Pinball is celebrated here with happy hours on Fridays and Pinball Madness tournaments the first and last Thursdays of the month. There’s also a great lineup of live local music.