If you’re not up to speed with the DMV’s local pinball scene, you may not know that one of the best spots in the region is tucked away inside a Maryland grocery store. Unfortunately, the famed pinball room inside a Mom’s Organic Market in College Park will close down later this month. So, without the grocer’s 40 machines, where will Washington’s pinball fanatics turn instead? Luckily, an interactive online tool called Pinball Map offers some guidance. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorites to help you on your journey to become the next pinball wizard.
Lyman’s Tavern
3720 14th St. NW
This unassuming tavern in Columbia Heights is a fan favorite among the pinball community. With 11 machines and even more being rotated out seasonally, Lyman’s offers some of the best variety of games in the area. Plus, the drinks are cheap!
Players Club
1400 14th St. NW
This game bar is one half retro and one half luxury, with its row of cabinet arcade games complemented by a comfortable lounge. If you are looking for a full arcade experience over pure pinball, this is a good option. There’s also a rooftop bar so you can check out the city’s skyline while you wait for someone to quit hogging your favorite game.
CarPool
900 N. Glebe Road, Arlington
For the Arlington folks, CarPool has 12 machines to choose from in addition to pool tables, dartboards and shuffleboard. It also hosts pinball league play every Monday night.
Mustang Sally Brewing Company
14140 Parke Long Court, Chantilly
Out by Dulles airport, enjoy some creative local beers while you work your way through the brewery’s 18 pinball machines. If you find a new favorite, you can join Mustang Sally’s pinball league, which plays Tuesday nights.
The Eleanor DC
100 Florida Ave. NE
Conveniently situated by the NoMa-Gallaudet Metro station, the Eleanor is a bowling lounge that serves food as well. While you wait for your turn on the lanes, it also offers a handful of pinball machines.
Roanoke Pinball Museum
1 Market Square SE, Roanoke, Virginia
Okay, this one is obviously not super local, but if you’re a true pinball head you may want to plan a pilgrimage to this museum in Roanoke and see how much the game has changed over the decades. The museum boasts a collection of more than 70 games, which are playable as well. The museum even has a machine that dates back to the 1930s.
Hunter is a cat-loving Coloradoan who enjoys history, Halloween and board games. He studied audio production and radio storytelling at Hofstra University before moving to DC in 2022. During his editorial fellowship with Washingtonian in the fall of 2023, he ran Halloween Hunter, a section featuring local stories for the spooky season.
