Where to Play Pinball & Arcade Games

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!

A gaggle of pinheads kept their private collection in a literal vault secret for many years. Now open to the public twice a month, The Pin-Vault is located on the 2nd floor of the Murphy Building in the heart of the Fountain Square neighborhood of Indianapolis, IN. On the first Friday of the month, The Pin-Vault is 21+ and the building hosts artists and vendors, live performances and your choice of restaurants. On the third Saturday of each month, The Pin-Vault is open for all ages. It’s always just $5 to drain as many balls as you want. Ask about leagues and tournaments.

Windfall Brewing Co. is giving new meaning to the term "brewcade," offering an amazing experience for Denver's northern suburbs. Located in Westminster it's a bar, brewery and arcade all under one roof. But Windfall tries had to not be like just any ordinary brewery hang.

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Windfall offers 24 pinball machines on location, and mostly of the modern variety from Stern and Jersey Jack Pinball, with a few classic games here and there. And if you need some sustenance during your visit Windfall has a classic American pub food menu, featuring favorites like cheese fries, wings and burgers to go along with their own beer, or their full bar of cocktails and wine offerings.

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. 

The Pinball Joint is a private arcade and lounge. You can send them a Facebook message to reserve your spot. 

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. 

What’s better than an arcade with beer? How about FREE arcade games and beer! Tappers Arcade Bar in Indianapolis, IN has it all. Arcade classics like Frogger, Galaga, Space Invaders, Burger Time, PacMan, and Mortal Kombat, a few consoles like Nintendo 64, a Game Cube, a Super NES and a Nintendo Switch, plus all of the best pinball games manufactured in the last decade. Must be 21+ and yes, the games are really free. Get your inner kid a boozy slushie and flip out at the hottest spot for pinball in Indianapolis. 

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!

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!

Grand Rapids, MI, is home to another infamous pyramid scheme, but this Pyramid Scheme is a pub and music venue with a pinball arcade full of the latest Sterns and a few old classics. There’s even a custom AC/DC pinball with a limited edition “Whole Lotta Rosie” backglass. The Pyramid Scheme is laid-back, a little kitschy, and attracts fantastic independent artists, comedians, and rock musicians to its stage. 

Free Play arcade in Arlington Texas has a lot of offer those looking for an exciting night out. With multiple regional locations, they have quickly become a favorite destination for DFW barcade goers. Their selection of vintage arcade games and 28 pinball machines will provide endless entertainment, plus visitors can indulge in cocktails, local draft beer on tap and a small menu of bites, sandwiches and flatbread pizzas. But don't worry about having to continuously feed the machines – all games are set to free play with one $12 entry fee! Bring your friends and family (all children must be supervised) for an evening filled with thrills and chills - just remember than 18+ is the minimum age after 9pm Sunday through Thursday, 21+ after 9pm on Friday and Saturday!

What was once the largest tin can factory in the country, Can Can Wonderland in St Paul, MN, also gives a nod to the French populist art movement, Can Can, with its artist-designed mini golf. On the “Boardwalk of Amusements,'' you'll find a variety of pinball and arcade games dating back to the 1920s. Hungry? Try the handcrafted artisan pizzas, sandwiches, and snacks, or pick your favorite cereal at the soda fountain, and the bartender will blend it into a decadent malt with all the fixings. Shh! You didn’t hear us mention the secret pachyderm speakeasy. 

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.  

Stonehedge Entertainment Center has it all: bowling, miniature golf (seasonal), new and nostalgic video games, and pinball machines. The pinball collection has some of the rarest machines. It includes Blacknight 3000, Stranger Things, and Willie Wonka. They also have a full-service bar, and "Kim's Grille" features pizza and other food. It is a perfect place for a family night out or a fun date night. 

There’s an arcade in the mall again! World 1-1 Games in Santa Maria’s Town Center Mall is a California Central Coast hometown video game and pop culture store with impossible-to-find collectibles and an extensive arcade. Redemption games are in the front, followed by a great mix of classic and modern arcade games and a fantastic pinball selection with a big range of new Sterns and rare Sega and Williams classics. Don’t miss the Dance Dance Revolution SuperNova!

Pinball connoisseurs in Tacoma, WA, know The Triple Knock is the best bar in town to knock a few back, flip a few pins and compare notes with the best flippers in town on how to save that silver ball. Triple Knock’s pinball tournaments include team play, women’s tournaments, and split flipper tournaments. Triple Knock prides itself on being welcoming of everyone, regardless of sex, gender, race, or sexual orientation – as long as you are 21+ and interested in pinball.

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.