Pinball locations in Chicago

[Jeff Strong]

So get out there and play 'em then!

 

[Timelord]

The wife and I have plans to visit Headquarters Tuesday after Memorial Day. She's a busy gal and I wanted to include her.

Timelord ...

 

[brakel]

Timelord, I didn't think that you thought my situation was invalid. I was just explaining that I'm fairly close to the city but still have to spend a lot of time on the toll roads.

The hub and spoke system for the Metra trains works for a lot of commuters but is a little dated. They need to add rail systems that would parallel 294 and 355 as well. But it's never going to happen.

 

[mudtoe]

http://loganarcade.com/
http://hqbeercade.com/arcades/
http://emporiumchicago.com/pinball/
http://bottomlounge.com/ (free pinball on Thursday night in the "Volcano Room" upstairs, last I checked)

& more!

http://pinballmap.com/chicago

Parents should be advised that the local (in-city) pinball resurgence is largely limited to drinking establishments (21+ in IL, USA).

Also note that Enchanted Castle, a "kiddy casino" in suburban Lombard, no longer has pins.

http://www.enchanted.com/amusementsLombard.html

Gameworks in Schaumburg may, still? Call first.

http://www.gameworks.com/locations/schaumburg/

 

[Timelord]

Thank you for confirming what I claimed, Mudtoe. Some have disputed this previously.

Timelord ...

 

[Jeff Strong]

I don't think Zombie really disputed it. Seems they just wanted to know more as he's not familiar with the scene...

 

[brakel]

It's amazing how much pinball has expanded in such a short time and how much easier it has become to find. When the Pinball Hall of Fame Williams Collection came out and my daughter just started asking about real tables it was hard to find them. Of course she was also under 21 and still is for a few more months so this beercade phenomenon doesn't work for us...yet. We've played onsie twosie machines in bars attached to restaurants but most freestanding bars aren't going to let her in. On the other had I've taken her to Chicago bars to listen to bands and not had a problem so I'm not sure why it's a problem with some of the beercades.

 

[Timelord]

I agree Brakel, no problem with the establishments themselves or bartenders.

Up to the individual patrons whether they chose to come in or not. Most of these places are quite nice and friendly. But then some individuals may have objections to alcohol and may choose not to come into these places. As I said before, I have bought a coke or bottled water in these places and no problems whatsoever. No one forces you to drink.

Timelord ...

 

[Buzz1126]

Here in the south, our pinball isn't limited to just bars OR the kiddie places like Chuckie Cheese. Taco Mac comes to mind. Yes, they do sell beer, but not in a "bar" atmosphere. There are no neighborhood bars like they have in the great white North. We also have few "trendy" places where people go to be seen, aka the Left Coast. Having said that, your pinball mileage may vary. The upkeep varies. The few arcade-type places (Dave and Busters, for instance) take tokens, but are fairly well maintained. It's hit and miss at those places that still take quarters.

 

[Pinhead45]

Well I was at beercade yesterday and Logan arcade tonight. They pulled the Medieval Madness from beercade. The TOM is nice, it has a color DMD. The LE machines are all nice. I wish they would get a Star Trek Le. Logan arcade has some good games too. They're Twilight Zone is modded. They have the working TV in it, slot machine, saw a yellow pyramid up top. The TV is cool. I never saw one with one in it, especially on location. The Johnny Mnemonic's glove works flawless!! I never saw one of these with a working glove, not even at expo!! The Tron they have has a subwoofer in it, you can really feel the bass. It has the lighted "el" wire in it and working mini game mod. They say that's an Le, but I thought i played an Le and it has the lighted apron unless I'm thinking of Avatar LE. Right next to Tron pinball is the Tron arcade standup arcade game. That's perfect. They have alot of cool arcade games there too like Punch-Out!! or Donkey Kong I-III, Ghost N' Goblins. Now if you wanted to go to gameworks they still have the 24 there. That's like the only 24 I have ever seen. Once Brixie's had Cactus Canyon on location, now gone. That's probably the best rare game I've ever played.

 

[Jeff Strong]

Just saw Logan Arcade posted on Twitter that they have one of my all time favs:

https://twitter.com/LoganArcade/status/468074554771124224/photo/1/large

 

[EldarOfSuburbia]

Time to bump this thread My visit to Chicago is upcoming (I'll be there in two weeks' time!) I'm going to guess that any of the Tue/Wed/Thu of that week (Jul 22/23/24) is my best bet for sneaking out after dinner to go play. We're renting an apartment near the Jarvis stop but I'm not averse to using public transport late at night in big cities - believe me you live in London for 11+ years and you learn how to handle it.

 

[mudtoe]

Headquarters opened their second location today:

213 W Institute Pl, Chicago, IL 60610

(CTOP for pilfered pic, I've not yet visited)