When my friend’s first child was born in 2005, our weekly pinball dates ended. We didn’t do the research to discover baby-friendly pinball venues. I’m happy to report that with my own baby I still enjoy the fwap of flippers, and there are many pinball palaces that welcome children. My scores are a little lower when I’m wearing the baby, but that gives me motivation to practice. Venues in bold serve alcohol.
Where do you like to play?
Full Tilt Ice Cream 3 locations: White Center, Columbia City, University District
- Pinball, ice cream, and beer. All ages, live music & other special events. Fun, inexpensive, low-key.
Beth’s Cafe 7311 Aurora Avenue North Seattle, WA 98103-5356
- 24 hours (attention, parents of newborns: why not go out at 2 a.m.?), diner food (including their famous bottomless hashbrowns). No alcohol.
Pinball at Stella's in Georgetown
Stellar Pizza and Ale House (Stella’s) 5513 Airport Way Blvd S Seattle, WA 98108
- Kids allowed on one side only. One pinball machine accessible to minors.
- Full menu–great pizza, lots of kid-friendly choices.
- Full bar & many outstanding beers.
Hurricane Cafe 2230 7th Ave (7th & Bell)
- A bit seedy, but several good machines
- Full diner menu & full bar
- 24 hr; great place for teens after an all-ages show (with supervision–it’s seedy)
Calamity Jane’s 5701 Airport Way South, Seattle, WA 9810
- Really, really good food & full bar with great beer and wine
- A couple of machines
Sureshot 4505 University Way NE Seattle, WA 98105-4510
- Coffee shop with some awesome old machines in the back room
Seattle Waterfront Arcade, at the south end of the waterfront
- Arcade games, pinball, and a carousel
Seattle Center has some pinball machines in the arcade area. There are two places with beer in the Center House.
High Chair Happy Hour 