Pinball in North Carolina

Flippers Arcade in Grandy North Carolina is this really cool retro pinball and video game arcade that's housed in a common gas station/convenience store. It's not what you expect but trust us, it's amazing. They've got over 80 pinball machines, plus all sorts of other retro and modern arcade games, skee-ball, laser tag, and more. It's a great place to bring the family and kids, and the best part is, $10 gives you 40 credits and almost every game costs 2 credits, so you get great bang for your buck. They have an extensive pinball collection from multiple eras, including a collection of classic arcade machines from Donkey Kong to Dig Dug. It's a must visit spot if you're in the area. Flippers Arcade also runs the occasional pinball tournament, including being an official location on the Stern Pro Circuit.

Built in a former movie theater, the Appalachian Pinball Museum in Hendersonville, NC feels grand when you enter this retro arcade experience. Placards on each machine explain its history as you go from playing a shooting gallery game from the 60's to playing a newly released pinball machine. Grab a can of beer and try your hand at Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Tales from the Crypt or Twilight Zone. Folks under the age of thirteen must be accompanied by an adult, but it’s free to take a gander or $12 to buy a wrist band and play all day. Don’t miss their collection of 80’s push pins. 

Super Abari Game Bar in Charlotte, NC is a barcade with a portal to the past for adult “kids.” More than 90 arcade games are arranged around a display of screens playing 80s movies. Drop some quarters into more than 30 pinball machines like Indiana Jones, Halloween, Willy Wonka, Creature from the Black Lagoon and Stranger Things. This modern spot serves craft beers and cocktails and is almost exclusively 21+ with the exception of noon to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

If you're in the mood for some classic arcade gaming, head on over to The Retrocade in Asheville. With 15 pinball machines and a variety of other gaming options, it's the perfect place to spend an afternoon or evening. A $10 cover charge gets you in with all games on free play - and if you're over 21, there's also a great selection of local craft beers on tap!

The Asheville Pinball Museum is a great place to play pinball in Asheville, North Carolina. For only $15, you can play as many of their pinball machines as you want. They have over 30 machines from different eras, each with its own card with history and facts about the game. They also sell local craft beers, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Plus, the Asheville Pinball Museum features over 30 classic arcade video games, and they try to maintain a "games to people" ratio so that it's rarely too crowded.

The Basement Arcade Bar has classic '80s and '90s arcade video games, air hockey, plus pinball machines. The collection of 20 pinball machines does contain retro and current games. They do hold pinball tournaments and are family-friendly until 8 pm. Also, games are free to play with a $10 admission for adults and $5 for children. The Basement Arcade Bar offers a full bar, including cider, craft, domestic, and imports. They do not serve food but have snacks in a vending machine and are close to restaurants. 

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.