FOT: Los Angeles (Pinball Thread)

[P.W.]

Here in Lipstick City I know there have to be some good pinball machines hanging around; it's southern California, ferchristsakes! I'm going to compile a poorly laid-out blog as a guide for the internet to find said machines. Please help. I have one (a great one, actually, in terms of volume and mechanical condition)... so far.

http://pinballlosangeles.blogspot.com

[Hugman 3.0]

The Shato Lanes bowling alley has some great classic games (e.g. Earthshaker (Yea!)) that generally cost a quarter, and the bar serves cheap beer (by LA standards). However the games are in pretty shitty condition.  I haven't been in a while. Might be worth a reconnaissance mission. If the pinball sucks the bowling is a good value (again, by LA standards).

[P.W.]

I'll head out there sometime next week and report back. The internet says there's a machine at Short Stop, but I don't remember one last time I was there... exactly a year ago, tomorrow. I was certainly not in the condition to notice anything, I'm sure.

[P.W.]

Went tonight. Dropped all of my coins in Earthshaker!. Some dude wearing a bandana tore up Pirates of the Caribbean to the tune of second highest score and on his way out said, "Hey, there are 5 free games over there if you want them." in his most King of Kong voice. I loved it and will go back as it's only a mile from my place.

[buffcoat]

I highly recommend the Pinball Museum in Las Vegas, too.  Well off the strip, and in an honestly shady part of town, but so many machines and lots of old video games, too.  I played Tempest, Tron, Punch-Out!, etc. etc.

[Hugman 3.0]

Went tonight. Dropped all of my coins in Earthshaker!. Some dude wearing a bandana tore up Pirates of the Caribbean to the tune of second highest score and on his way out said, "Hey, there are 5 free games over there if you want them." in his most King of Kong voice. I loved it and will go back as it's only a mile from my place.

Last time I went, Earthshaker had a dead flipper. Was it in good shape?
Listen to this next time you go:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/v0y8qq

[P.W.]

100% functional and awesome... until my girlfriend toasted me.

[P.W.]

I guess they've been opening up PJ's in Culver City to the public on random Fridays. I'm going to inquire and iI'm going to DO THIS! I'll get back to this thread when I find out the details.

http://pjspinballmuseum.com/

[Hugman 3.0]

Find out how much it costs to rent, too!  We could organize a pinball party if it's not too ridiculous (which it probably is).

[P.W.]

PJ's Pinball Museum in Culver City, Pinball Night! This Friday @ 8pm.

Totally doing this.

[P.W.]

Stefano's Pizzeria on Hollywood Blvd. & Las Palmas has The Getaway: High Speed II. Totally awesome game in the heart of Weird-o-wood.

[P.W.]

Went to PJ's tonight & it was every bit as awesome as I thought it would be. On top of that, the guy that runs it is really nice guy (people that run niche shops like this are usually total dicks). Photos posted to the pinball blog listed above. I couldn't get a top score out of Scharpling for Close Encounters, but I had a good run at 482,690.