Where to Play Pinball in the Inland Empire: Arcades, Bars, and Breweries with Machines
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The Inland Empire covers a vast stretch of Southern California east of Los Angeles, spanning Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Pinball here clusters in a few distinct pockets: downtown Riverside, the Murrieta/Temecula corridor to the south, and the western foothills communities near Claremont and Upland.
| Venue | Area | Machines | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinbug Pomona | Pomona | 20+ | Arcade |
| Arcade Monsters (Murrieta) | Murrieta | 20+ | Arcade |
| Riverside Game Lab | Downtown Riverside | 20 | Barcade |
| 8 Bit Brewing Company | Murrieta | 10+ | Brewery |
| The Axe Lair | Upland | 10+ | Entertainment venue |
| Revival Arcade | San Bernardino | 10+ | Arcade |
| Lost Levels (Claremont) | Claremont | A few | Arcade |
Most venues in the region operate as dedicated arcades with admission-based free play, though you'll also find machines at a craft brewery and an entertainment venue. Here's where to find pinball across the Inland Empire.
Arcade · Downtown Pomona
Pinbug Pomona operates as a vintage-focused pinball arcade with machines spanning from the 1970s to present day. All games run on free play after paying admission—choose from 30-minute, 75-minute, or day passes. The lineup rotates as machines cycle in and out for maintenance.
Arcade · Murrieta
Arcade Monsters opened its Murrieta location in December 2025 as part of the anime-themed arcade chain. The blacklit space features unlimited-play admission covering pinball alongside rhythm games, retro cabinets, and modern releases. This is the company's second California location after San Diego.
Arcade · Downtown Riverside
Riverside Game Lab combines pinball with a full bar, food menu, and VR experiences in downtown Riverside. The venue hosts tournaments and serves as home base for regional competitive pinball events including Pinball at the LAB. A dedicated pinball area sits alongside classic arcade cabinets, rhythm games, and air hockey.
Arcade · San Bernardino
Revival Arcade occupies a converted 1920s church across from the Original McDonald's Museum. Pay by the hour for unlimited play on pinball, classic video games, and console games. The owners restore machines themselves, and the venue hosts private parties outside regular hours.
Arcade · Claremont
Lost Levels hides an underground arcade beneath its video game shop inside the historic Claremont Packing House. Pay admission for unlimited play on retro arcade games and pinball. The shop also buys, sells, and trades video games and consoles.
Brewery · Murrieta
8 Bit Brewing Company pairs craft beer with a video game theme that extends to its game room. The Murrieta brewery has operated since 2014, expanding from a small tasting room to a full brewpub with over 15 beers on tap and a complete food menu. Pinball machines take quarters.
Entertainment venue · Downtown Upland
The Axe Lair launched in 2018 as the Inland Empire's first axe throwing venue. Pinball machines line the space alongside digital target games, private karaoke rooms, and a rage room. Walk-ins welcome, though booking ahead helps during busy times.
The Inland Empire gives pinball players variety—from dedicated arcades with vintage machines to a brewpub game room to an axe throwing venue. Murrieta anchors the southern part of the region with multiple options close together, while downtown Riverside serves as the hub for competitive play and tournaments.
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Last updated: January 2026
Colin is the chief pixel pusher at Kineticist. He's a lifetime gamer who became enamored with pinball after taking in a family copy of the 1979 classic Joker Poker (the EM version). Since then he's bought, sold and repaired many machines, competed in all kinds of tournaments, and contributes to This Week in Pinball, the New England Pinball League, and Pin-Masters of New England. Previously, Colin spent over a decade working in marketing for agencies and tech startups. He also started and ran a music blog, happy hour website, and wrote a regular craft beer review column for Central Track in Dallas. Once aspired to be an artsy film director.
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