Date: October 2016
Location: Various, Chicago, IL, USA

The once dismal pinball on location scene in the Chicago area is a distant memory. There is now an immense variety of quality pins available to play in Chicagoland.

Chicago Street Pinball Arcade in Joilet, IL
Chicago Street Pinball Arcade in Joilet, IL

Visiting some of the sites I was able to enjoy playing old favorites, such as Taxi, Big Guns and Banzai Run, and the latest pins Game of Thrones and Ghostbusters. The Pinball Rebel website and PinballMap.com both have additional locations with pins in the Chicago area.

1. Logan Arcade – Chicago
See report
Update: Ghostbusters Premium, Metallica Premium and the incredible Hercules pin have been rotated in. The Batman 66 is going to be added soon.

Logan Arcade
Logan Arcade

 

2. Headquarters Beercade (Lakeview) – Chicago
See previous report

Headquarters Beercade (Lakeview)
Headquarters Beercade (Lakeview)

 

3. Emporium Arcade Bar (Wicker Park) – Chicago
See previous report
Update: Williams’ Big Guns and Diner were rotated into their line-up this year.

Emporium Arcade Bar (Wicker Park)
Emporium Arcade Bar (Wicker Park)

 

4. Lemming’s Tavern – Chicago
See previous report
Update: Game of Thrones Premium on tournament and Attack From Mars are now featured here.

Lemming's Tavern
Lemming’s Tavern

 

5. Brixie’s – Brookfield
See previous report
Update: The always well-kept pin count has increased to five. Ghostbusters Pro, Metallica LE, Medieval Madness, Game of Thrones Premium and Batman, The Dark Knight are the current pins. The Big Lebowski is going to be rotated in soon.

Brixie's
Brixie’s

 

6. Galloping Ghost Arcade – Brookfield
See previous report

Galloping Ghost Arcade
Galloping Ghost Arcade

 

7. Game Works – Schaumburg
See previous report
Update: They now have a five pins with Mustang the redemption machine, alongside Iron Man, The Sopranos, 24 and Family Guy.

Game Works
Game Works

 

8. Level 257 – Schaumburg
See previous report

Level 257
Level 257

 

9. Chicago Street Pinball Arcade – Joliet
See previous report

Chicago Street Pinball Arcade
Chicago Street Pinball Arcade

 

Here is the list of pin locations that I have not yet reported on. I have listed their websites and some additional information about them.

10. Bottom Lounge – Chicago
Website: bottomlounge.com
Pinball list courtesy of Gavin Miller: Bobby Orr Power Play x 2, Seawitch, The Addams Family, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Funhouse, Gilligan’s Island, The Champion Pub, Metallica and Bugs Bunny’s Birthday Ball.

 

11. Blind Robin – Chicago
Website: theblindrobin.com
Ghostbusters Pro on tournament, Metallica Pro and Scared Stiff are the current pins.

Blind Robin's pinballs
Blind Robin’s pinballs

 

12. Headquarters Beercade (River North) – Chicago
Website: hqbeercade.com/rivernorth
Headquarters’ second location features over twenty top pins which are listed on their website. Ghostbusters Pro and Game of Thrones Premium have been into their collection.

Headquarters Beercade (River North)
Headquarters Beercade (River North)

 

13. Emporium Arcade Bar (Logan Square) – Chicago
Website: emporiumchicago.com/logan-square
Second Emporium location with a few pins.

Emporium Logan Square
Emporium Logan Square

 

14. Brauer House – Lombard
Website: www.brauerhouse.com
Pin collector, Gavin Miller, loaded up the Brauer House with six of his pins: Bally Kiss, Metallica, The Walking Dead, Monster Bash (with a ColorDMD), Stern Rolling Stones and Dracula.

Brauer House games
Brauer House games

 

15. Five & Dime – Evanston
See previous report.

Five & Dime
Five & Dime

 

16. Uptown Arcade – Chicago
Website: facebook.com/The-Uptown-Arcade-Bar-698291033601954/
A few classic pins.

 

17. FTW – Chicago
Website: ftwchicago.com
Medieval Madness and The Walking Dead Pro.

 

18. Replay – Lakeview
Website: replaylakeview.com
Junkyard, Kiss (Stern) and The Sopranos.

 

19. Replay – Andersonville
Website: http://www.replayandersonville.com
Metallica Pro, Tales from the Crypt and The Wizard of Oz.
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