From Molly Atkinson's Pins and Needles to today's anchor venues — in his Kineticist debut, LA local Benjamin Plotkin maps the past, present, and people of Los Angeles pinball.
Wichita's pinball scene spans a downtown barcade with the largest collection, a dive bar with a dedicated pinball hangout, an affordable gaming pub, and a country-western entertainment complex.
Tulsa's pinball scene spans a pool hall with one of Oklahoma's largest collections, a 21+ retro bar in the Blue Dome District, and a family-friendly arcade in nearby Bartlesville.
Toledo's pinball scene centers on a dedicated speakeasy-style pinball pub with IFPA tournaments, supported by BBQ restaurants and arcade bars across the metro.
Western Massachusetts anchors New England pinball with a member-run club housing 67+ machines, supported by sports bars and arcades across the Pioneer Valley.
Spokane anchors the Inland Northwest pinball scene with a nationally recognized free-play arcade, downtown pinball bars, and options extending to Coeur d'Alene.
Madison delivers one of Wisconsin's strongest pinball scenes, anchored by a 66-machine arcade bar in Middleton and supported by barcades, family arcades, and a competitive tournament venue.
The Memphis metro offers pinball at a dedicated arcade bar across the state line in Southaven and a downtown brewery taproom, with a pinball pub planning to reopen in 2026.
The Lake Tahoe and Reno region delivers one of the strongest pinball scenes in the Mountain West, with a lakeside tournament venue, comic shop arcade, and multiple downtown Reno barcades.
The Louisville metro's pinball scene extends across the river to New Albany, Indiana, where a massive barcade, craft brewery, and comic shop offer over 100 machines combined.
Knoxville's pinball scene centers on craft beer, with a dedicated pinball pub, award-winning breweries, a cider barrelhouse, and downtown taverns all maintaining collections.
The Hartford area's pinball options cluster in Simsbury, where a sports bar, pizza restaurant, and outdoor venue offer machines alongside food and drinks.
Grand Rapids offers one of Michigan's strongest pinball scenes, with dedicated arcades, dive-bar barcades, and neighborhood spots spread across the metro.
Fort Myers anchors a surprisingly strong Southwest Florida pinball scene, with a nonprofit arcade housing 75+ machines, a brewery with league play, and a Cape Coral pizza spot with a deep lineup.
The Emerald Coast delivers pinball across a free-play arcade in Panama City, a bar-arcade in Fort Walton Beach, and a beachfront café in Destin proper.
Des Moines offers a varied pinball scene with themed barcades, a horror-inspired pubcade, the regional Up Down location, and options extending to Ames and Johnston.
Daytona Beach delivers a pinball-focused scene centered in Ormond Beach, with a dedicated pinball lounge, Florida's original pinball diner, and beachfront and VR entertainment options.
Dayton delivers one of Ohio's deeper pinball scenes, with a dedicated pinball bar, downtown arcade-deli, massive brewcade, and unique retail arcades across the metro.
Columbia's pinball scene punches above its weight, with two venues carrying 20 machines each, a downtown retro arcade, and a casual sports bar rounding out solid metro coverage.
Charleston's pinball scene spreads across the metro, with a sports bar arcade, axe-throwing venue, barcades, and a craft brewery all maintaining collections.
Colorado Springs offers a diverse pinball scene, from a vintage penny arcade in Manitou Springs to downtown barcades and a dedicated pinball pub north of the city.
Birmingham's pinball scene spans a mall-based arcade with the state's largest collection, downtown barcades, and a brewery taproom with a solid lineup.
The Branson and Springfield Ozarks corridor offers pinball at retro '80s-themed arcades, a tabletop gaming store, and a neighborhood bar known for secret sandwiches.
Albuquerque's pinball scene spreads across breweries, a downtown live music bar, and reaches north to Santa Fe, with craft beer a common thread throughout.
Albany's pinball scene spreads across the Capital District, with family entertainment centers, a craft brewery taproom, a league-hosting arcade, and a downtown bar with tournaments.
Akron anchors a strong Northeast Ohio pinball corridor, with family entertainment centers, barcades, and breweries spread from downtown to surrounding communities and extending to Youngstown.
