Where to Play Pinball in Phoenix: Arcades, Bars, and Breweries with Machines
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Phoenix pinball spreads across The Valley in unexpected ways. Mesa anchors the dedicated arcade scene with multiple options, while downtown Phoenix and Tempe lean bar-forward. The West Valley holds its own with spots in Surprise and Glendale reaching players in the outer suburbs.
The metro's geography means driving between venues, but clusters exist. Downtown Mesa alone houses several options within walking distance. Whether you're looking for a free-play arcade with a hundred machines or a brewery with a handful of pins, The Valley has something scattered across its sprawling footprint.
| Venue | Area | Machines | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starfighters Arcade | Mesa | 40+ | Arcade |
| Electric Bat Arcade | Tempe | 40+ | Barcade |
| The Outpost Arcade | Chandler | 40+ | Arcade |
| BRI Taproom & Arcade | Mesa | 30+ | Brewpub |
| Atomic Age Modern | Mesa | 20+ | Retail |
| Player 1 Arcade |
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.
| Surprise |
| 20+ |
| Arcade bar |
| Tilt Gamez | Glendale | 15+ | Arcade |
| Stardust | Phoenix | 15+ | Pinbar |
| North Mountain Brewing Company | Phoenix | 10+ | Brewpub |
| Tilted Arcade at The Mighty Axe | Phoenix | 10+ | Entertainment |
| Level 1 Arcade Bar | Mesa | 10+ | Arcade bar |
Here's where to find pinball across the Phoenix metro.
Arcade · Mesa
Starfighters Arcade operates as The Valley's largest pinball destination with 40+ machines and 160+ rotating vintage arcade games. Founded in 2014 and expanded in 2024, this all-ages venue runs on a day pass model with all games set to free play. Weekend-only hours keep it focused.
Arcade · Chandler
The Outpost Arcade soft launched in August 2024 as a token-based arcade in Chandler. The collection includes an eclectic mix of titles from Ultraman to Orbitor 1, with a bar offering full service.
Arcade · Glendale
Tilt Gamez serves the West Valley as a coin-op arcade with modern premium titles and unique remakes. The lineup runs heavy on Stern releases from the past few years.
Barcade · Tempe
Electric Bat Arcade occupies a space inside the Yucca Tap Room, combining horror-themed decor with a curated pinball collection. Owner Rachel Bess co-founded ZapCon, and the arcade expanded in 2024 with claims of being Arizona's largest pinball arcade. Tuesday league nights draw 77+ players.
Arcade bar · Surprise
Player 1 Arcade brings an 80s/90s retro arcade to the West Valley with a rotating pinball collection and craft beer bar. Happy hour runs 3-7pm with coin-operated games. Monthly tournaments and pinball leagues keep competitive players engaged.
Pinbar · Downtown Phoenix
Stardust hides behind a faux freezer door inside Ziggy's Magic Pizza Shop, opening into a David Bowie-inspired pinbar. The space features an illuminated disco dance floor, DJ booth, and a bar made from pinballs. Wall-mounted vintage playfields with rainbow backlighting complete the atmosphere.
Arcade bar · Mesa
Level 1 Arcade Bar won Phoenix New Times' Best Arcade Bar in 2022. The venue features cameras above each pinball machine displayed on TV screens, a full kitchen serving items like gyro tacos, and retro aesthetics throughout. Note: The Gilbert location closed in January 2025; the Mesa location remains open.
Brewpub · Downtown Mesa
BRI Taproom & Arcade opened in April 2022 as a Beer Research Institute spinoff in a 4,000 square foot downtown Mesa space. The token-based arcade pairs with 15 B.R.I. beers on tap plus guest drafts. Dog-friendly policy lets you bring your pup while you play.
Brewpub · North Phoenix
North Mountain Brewing Company keeps a game room with pinball machines tucked to one side of the main dining space. The brewpub serves house-brewed beers alongside a diverse food menu spanning Filipino dishes to pizza and burgers. Tournaments have been hosted here by organizers in the Phoenix pinball community.
Retail · Downtown Mesa
Atomic Age Modern operates as a mid-century modern furniture store that also houses pinball machines. The family-owned business is run by internationally ranked tournament players who host monthly tournaments on Fridays at 6:30pm with a $5 entry fee.
Entertainment complex · North Phoenix
Tilted Arcade at The Mighty Axe combines axe-throwing lanes with a pinball arcade inside this High Street sports bar. The collection focuses on modern Stern titles. Kids 10 and older can throw axes; younger children can hang in the lounge and play pinball.
For serious pinball, Mesa's dedicated arcades offer the deepest collections. Starfighters requires weekend planning but delivers free play across a massive floor. Bars like Electric Bat and Stardust provide late-night options with drinks. For family outings, check hours carefully—many spots shift to 21+ in evenings.
Know of a location we missed or spot something outdated? Let us know.
Last updated: January 2026
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