Pin Up Arcade Bar: A Nostalgic Haven for Retro Gamers and Pinup Culture Connoisseurs
Continuing our look at pin-up style, today we’re highlighting adult-oriented entertainment venues that combine nostalgic video games and pinball with craft food and drink, all in a trendy, social setting. So for entrepreneurs who spotted potential in uniting these trends under one roof, the “pinup arcade bar” concept was born.
One such establishment at the forefront of this niche is Pin Up Arcade Bar. Founded in 2015 by friends and business partners Aimee Auguste and Steve Wolton, Pin Up combines classic arcade games with an appreciation for 1940s and 50s pinup art and rockabilly style. They launched their first location in Toronto to immediate success and have since opened a second Ottawa spot. Both venues aim to transport guests back in time with decor, music, entertainment, and edgy offerings tailored to adult tastes. From the retro gaming equipment to red brick walls adorned with risqué vintage posters, Pin Up Arcade Bar promises a lively nightlife playground for pinup culture and gaming aficionados alike.
Atmosphere and Design
Stepping through the front doors of Pin Up Arcade Bar is like entering a sultry time portal. The décor and aesthetic choices remain consistent across both the Toronto and newer Ottawa locations to maintain that signature vibe. The focal point is always the gorgeous midnight black bar itself, accented by hanging pendant lamps that resemble the silhouettes of pinup models. Surrounding the bar and scattered through the lounge area are high-top tables crafted from repurposed classic pinball machine bases. These creative touches and conversation starters contribute to the layer of gaming nostalgia.
For those who enjoy gaming experiences, you might also find the thrill of playing in online slots appealing, offering a similar blend of nostalgia and modern gaming excitement. Explore the vibrant world of Pin Up and immerse yourself in a unique gaming experience.
The rest of the furnishings also stick faithfully to the combined pinup and retro motifs. Low lighting casts a moody glow across the industrial style space, with most illumination coming from strings of vintage-shaped bulbs, neon bar signs, and the flashing marquees of the arcade cabinets themselves. The walls sport exposed brick painted crimson red, creating contrast against framed artwork prints of popular 1940s-50s pinup models like Bettie Page. Even the flooring gets on theme with black and white checkered tile stretching across the rooms. Jukeboxes pipe in appropriately rockabilly-heavy playlists to complete the sultry speakeasy atmosphere.
The venues were clearly designed with intimate gatherings in mind, making them suitable for low key meetups or date nights rather than raucous parties. Custom burgundy leather boothes provide comfortable gathering spots, in addition to the handful of small high-top tables flanked by retro-styled barstools. While seating is limited, the standing spaces surrounding games, the bar, and sidelines offer more than enough area to bump elbows with fellow patrons. Solo customers never feel out of place bellied up the bar chatting with bartenders. So whether you’re flying solo or meeting a friend or three, Pin Up Arcade Bar welcomes all who appreciate the retro-futuristic vibes.
Arcade Games and Entertainment
Of course the main lure for visitors besides the signature ambience is Pin Up Arcade Bar’s impressive range of amusements. As expected, no shortage of classic coin-operated arcade and pinball cabinets stock the game rooms. Toronto’s larger flagship store boasts around 50 total machines encompassing both new wave and old school favorites. The Ottawa spinoff contains over 30 cabinets and steadily adds to its repertoire.
Upon entering, eagle-eyed gamers may spot rare vintage machines like the 1978 space shooter Galaxy Force II, 1940s antique pinball devices, or European imports seldom seen stateside. But visitors need not be gaming historians to appreciate offerings like Pac Man, Street Fighter II, Terminator 2, or Star Wars. All the iconic video hits are represented alongside pinball classics like Twilight Zone, Attack from Mars, and Medieval Madness. The variety spans decades and genres, ensuring all guests can rekindle nostalgia from their personal golden eras of gaming.
Nearly all cabinets accept traditional quarters alongside specialty tokens available for purchase at the front desk. So whether you’re carrying loose change or prefer using commemorative coins branded with Pin Up’s logo, enjoying the games proves convenient. Pinball addicts need not worry about losing their progress either. Mini magnetic pin locks and reusable collector cups come included for catching loose balls mid-game. And to prevent machine hogging during busy hours, friendly signage reminds patrons to limit their turns to a reasonable duration.
If you need a break from screen time, Pin Up offers analog entertainment options too. Groups can gather around coffee tables for board and card games including Battleship, Yahtzee, poker, and more. And for those craving an interactive social experience, karaoke machines stand ready with books containing thousands of singalong classics. Occasional live bands and DJs further amp up the entertainment factor on event nights. So no matter your interests, boredom rarely strikes at Pin Up Arcade Bar thanks to the variety show of amusements. Well, for those who also love online entertainment, we recommend visiting Pin-up casino games. This platform will allow you to continue the fun anywhere.
Food and Drinks
No bar experience feels complete without nibbles and tipples to feast on between games. As an adults-only environment not burdened with appeasing kids’ palates, Pin Up Arcade Bar’s kitchen gets creative with elevated pub-style offerings. Their menus focus on sharable plates perfect for grazing across hours of gaming and socializing. But heartier entrees and meal deals sate bigger appetites too.
Both locations showcase similar gastropub fare with subtle regional twists suiting local tastes. Appetizers include all the expected pub starters like nachos, chicken wings, fries, and deep fried pickles, along with off-script items like jerk chicken egg rolls and Korean-inspired chicken bao buns. Their lineup of burgers, hot dogs, flatbreads pizzas, and build-you-own mac and cheese deliver solid main meal options customizable with various toppings and proteins. Occasional rotating specials give chefs an outlet for experimenting with boundary-pushing dishes as well. Happy hour deals run daily too, making Pin Up an even more appetizing pre-gaming pitstop.
But it’s arguably the drinks stealing the show, with Pin Up’s crafty mixologists concocting intense libations to compliment the rebellious atmosphere. Cocktails adopt cheeky names tied to gaming or pinup iconography, served in glassware ranging from mason jars to corpse revivers. Expect ingredients like activated charcoal, tobacco bitters, absinthe, and popping candy caviar to make occasional appearances. Alongside the two dozen unique signature drinks, a deep bench of 24 rotating craft beers on tap plus a globe-spanning bottle and can list ensures all palates stay satisfied.
Events and Specials
Amid the ample lineup of entertainment and libations available daily, Pin Up Arcade Bar’s event calendar managed to overdeliver even more excitement. Promotions run the gamut from gaming tournaments to dance parties to pop culture trivia challenges. Many tie into nerd culture, major pop events, or nostalgia-driven holidays to further embrace those fan communities.
Recent examples include prerelease Super Smash Bros. Ultimate competitions, Stranger Things themed costume parties, and Tetris high score challenges. No matter the occasion, Pin Up goes all-out decorating and developing custom food and drinks to match the motifs. So patrons always feel fully immersed in the event themes alongside the standard bar enjoyments.
Of course pinup culture also takes center stage through burlesque variety shows, Bettie Page lookalike contests, lounge singers, and go-go dancers. Occasionally cult icon guests like Elvira even make in-person appearances. And for patrons simply seeking iconic tunes, monthly Goth Nite, Brit Pop, and rockabilly DJ residencies keep energy levels peaking. Between the diverse regular promotions and constantly evolving limited-run happenings, repeat visitors perpetually uncover fresh experiences.
Conclusion
In summary, Pin Up Arcade Bar provides an oasis catering to pinup culture and gaming fans seeking a lively nightlife haunt. The intimate retro venues offer far more than just nostalgic arcade cabinets and pinball machines to enjoy. Craft food and drinks, themed events and entertainment, and an overall transportive vibe club together to form experiential playgrounds custom-tailored to adult tastes.
All who appreciate the cross-section of sultry mid 20th century aesthetic, quality games, and edgy offerings will feel right at home. So whether you’re a pinup model wannabe, greaser enthusiast, cosplayer, or just gaming nostalgic, make time to visit Pin Up Arcade Bar’s sensational locations. Their flair for adventure and multi-sensory approach to nightlife is not to be missed. Just be prepared to lose track of time while relishing in the vintage-futuristic atmospheres!
Customer Spotlight
Plenty of delighted patrons share glowing testimonials about their experiences at Pin Up Arcade Bar in Waterloo, Canada. Kayla, 27 and a self-proclaimed “gamer girl” gushes about her first visit after hearing friends rave for months. As soon as she stepped inside, she felt swept away by the visionary setup. “I mean they literally built a bar housed inside classic arcade games. It’s such a cool merger of different entertainment styles!”
She immediately felt immersed by the overall ambience between the throwback music, striking red walls, boothes made from pinball machines, and rows of glowing cabinets. Her group spent hours ping-ponging between games like NBA Jam, air hockey, and competitive pinball machines seeing who could set the highest score on Attack from Mars. Plenty of local craft beers and video game-themed cocktails fueled the fun as they snacked on loaded tater tots and pizza slices between rounds.
Around midnight, the space began filling with more 20- and 30-somethings as a DJ set up near the karaoke stage. By then thoroughly buzzed on nostalgia and liquor, Kayla and friends belted out a few 80’s classics to the delight of the crowd before eventually Ubering home. She summed up the night as “pure, intoxicating fun” that brought back that youthful excitement of arcade trips during childhood. “Yet it still felt hip and adult with the sexy pinup vibes and amazing drinks.” She and her boyfriend already decided Pin Up Arcade Bar would become their new favorite date spot moving forward.
Based on the crowds flocking there any given night, Kayla’s glowing endorsement likely echoes many visitors’ reviews. For gamers and pinup devotees or just adults seeking a lively night out, Pin Up Arcade delivers an experiential playground catered to all tastes. Between the Instagram-worthy decor, extensive entertainment options, and crafty food and drink menus, all guests leave smiling and eager to return. It’s a nostalgia-fueled escape that needs to be seen and savored firsthand to fully appreciate the retro-futuristic magic created inside.
