Report by Dan Marquardt

When I have free time in a new area I still check out the area's arcades, bars, bowling alleys and theaters in search of some playable pins. A payoff for the effort is rare, but in Hammond I found a site worth visiting.

Look for the large Olympia Lanes sign on Calumet Ave to find the site

After discovering the clean pins at Olympia Lanes three or four years ago while on my lunch break, I always make sure I stop back in when I am in the area.

The pin line up in early May 2010:
World Poker Tour, NASCAR, Rollercoaster Tycoon and No Fear

I have been back many times to play the pins that rotate in. There was even a Bally Champ EM pin there recently.  I assumed the operator was a pin fan since the games are always so clean and working properly.

No Fear looking and playing like new

I was right; the operator, Kevin Seliger, is a pin fan and operates many pins on location in northwest Indiana. He also runs the local league, Northwest Indiana Pinball League.

Framed enlarged pin flyers decorate the arcade

If you are in the area and looking to play some clean pins, it's worth the drive to visit. Alcohol drinking is permitted in the arcade.

The arcade version of Guitar Hero sits next to the pins

Olympia Lanes is a few miles north of I80 on Calumet Ave. (just east of the Illinois/Indiana border).

Kevin Seliger also has another location with pins at Tyler's Tender restaurant. He operates the arcade that is attached to the restaurant.

A new storefront arcade

The restaurant is train themed, featuring a large operating train layout, a train that runs along the counter that brings your food order out to you and a train that kids can ride on.

A train on the counter brings the food out to you

A large operating layout in the restaurant

Attached to the restaurant is an arcade with three pins. The pins all looked and played like new.

Three pins in the arcade

Kevin told me he holds a pinball tournament there every Thursday night. If you like trains or pins (or both) it is worth the effort to go to Tyler's Tender restaurant and arcade.

Back to the sites page

Back to the front page

© Pinball News 2010