Best Places to Play Pinball Around Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, isn’t as bad as Philadelphians say it is. After all, it is the birthplace of the US Constitution, the Cradle of Liberty, the Athens of America, hometown to Ben Franklin, Fresh Prince, and Rocky Balboa. Plus, as everyone knows, it’s always sunny. 

‍

This high-brow yet gritty city offers so much to do and see that we can’t possibly summarize it all. From the Italian markets in South Philly to the hipster paradise that is the Piazza in Northern Liberties, the city is packed with history and great characters. We’re particularly fond of The Stoogeum, the haunted Laurel Hill Cemetery with graves of Titanic passengers, Pizza Brain for a slice or The Mütter Museum – they have a slice of Einstein’s brain.

‍

Jeet yet? If you see a guy selling soft pretzels on the corner, try one. Or grab a cheese steak (wiz wit or wiz witout) from either Ishkabibble's or Dalessandro's. If you go out for breakfast, don’t question what’s in the scrapple. Just eat it.

‍

When youse are ready to head out on the streets of Philadelphia to play a pinball machine or two, check out the Philadelphia Independence League of America Pinball to find leagues and events in and around Philly. If you’re just looking for a nice arcade jawn with a couple of pinball machines, here’s where youse might want to check out.

‍

Best Places to Play Pinball in and Around Philadelphia

The Pinball Gallery (Malvern, PA)

• Address: 81 Lancaster Ave. Malvern, PA 19355
• Pinball machines on location: 77

The Pinball Gallery is one of the largest arcades in the United States, and it's located near Philadelphia in Malvern, PA. The arcade has over 80 active pinball machines, and it also offers video arcade games and console gaming. The Pinball Gallery is a great tournament and league pinball location, hosting several leagues, including a women-only league aptly titled Ball Busters. The flat fee for entry means that you can play as many games as you want once you're inside – admission is $10 an hour, $18 for two hours, and $25 for an all-day pass. You can play all year for $300. The arcade is clean, well-lit, and the staff is friendly. Several coin-drop machines collect donations for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a cause near and dear to the owners of this pinball collection.

Delaware Pinball Collective (Wilmington, DE)

• Address: 1100 First State Blvd. Wilmington, DE 19804
• Pinball machines on location: 62

Delaware Pinball Collective in Wilmington is the perfect spot for pinball enthusiasts and families alike! With Delaware's largest selection of pinball, you'll have a blast playing all your favorites. They offer leagues, tournaments, and memberships with monthly and yearly options that give you access to their clubhouse as well as special events. Plus, as a non-profit organization, they are dedicated to bringing pinball to the masses, making it a fun and affordable option for everyone. Their collection includes a mixture of old and new games, with high-quality machines from Bally, Williams, Stern, and others. Delaware Pinball Collective frequently rotates its selection of games, and there are volunteer opportunities to get involved. 

‍

Starcade (Hamilton, NJ)

• Address: 4403 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing, NJ 08330
• Pinball machines on location: 37 machines

Remember when malls had arcades where you could play for hours? Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing, NJ still has one! Starcade has all of the classics like Robotron, Galaga and Burger Time, as well some vintage Star Wars video games and a nice collection of old Williams pinball machines. Starcade also offers console gaming. All games are set to free play so you can enjoy the arcade by the hour for a very low fee. Starcade is also home to New Jersey leagues and events, so ask about competitive play!

‍

Railroad Street Bar and Grill (Linfield, PA)

• Address: 36 Railroad St. Linfield, PA 19468
• Pinball machines on location: 10

Come to Railroad Street Bar and Grill for the 30+ beers on tap and world-class grilled cheese sandwiches, stay for the lineup of 9 rotating pinball machines. Pinball tournaments and leagues are frequently held at Railroad Street Bar and Grill, so you can find your dose of the local pinball community here.

‍

MOM's Organic Market (Abington, PA)

• Address: 925 Easton Road Abington, PA 19001
• Pinball machines on location: 17

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?

‍

Fun Stop Arcade at Berlin Farmers Market 

• Address: Farmers Market, 41 Clementon Rd Store #112, Berlin, NJ 08009
• Pinball machines on location: 16 

Fun Stop Arcade, located in the farmers market in Berlin, NJ, is worth the half hour ride from Philadelphia. Fun Stop’s new owners have spent a lot of time and money updating and maintaining the video game arcade and especially the pinball machines. Fun Stop has kiddie rides, racing games, and shooters, plus a quality lineup of pinball with modern Sterns and a few gems from the 90’s. The market itself is one of the East Coast's oldest and largest, with miles of vendors ranging from fruits and vegetables to clothing and antiques.

‍

Barcade Philly (Philadelphia, PA)

• Address: 1114 Frankford Ave Philadelphia, PA 19125
• Pinball machines on location: 9

Barcade Philly in Fishtown Philadelphia, PA is a comfortable arcade bar featuring craft beer and cocktails alongside arcade classics like Frogger, Centipede, and Galaga, plus a rotating collection of classic and modern pinball games. Machines run on tokens worth a quarter, and most games cost a single token. Barcade is for adult amusement, so you must be 21+ except during designated family days. Try one of their killer tacos or a Fat Dogtown hot dog with chihuahua cheese, braised chicken, and roasted pepper aioli. Barcade Philly is sure to be a fun night out filled with retro gaming goodness.

Bellefonte Brewing (Wilmington, DE)

• Address: 3605 Old Capitol Trail Wilmington, DE 19808
• Pinball machines on location: 9

Located in an old storage unit in an industrial park in Wilmington, DE, Bellefonte Brewing serves up an impressive list of beers with fun flavors like Orange Street Ale and Kush IPA, a few arcade games, and a sweet little lineup of pinball machines including The Simpsons, Batman, and Party Zone. Bellefonte is a favorite spot for local food trucks with its indoor-outdoor seating, and it is also family and dog friendly! 

Philadelphia pinball players - did we miss anything good? Drop us a line and let us know!