Is opening a "barcade" worth it?

[HardcoreSteven]

Not sure if this is the right section but I'm looking for insight into the business side of pinball bars. Been tossing around the idea of starting one but I'm wondering if it's a smart move or just a passion project. Does anyone know how these places actually do financially?

 

[TiltMaster]

It's mostly just for fun. Bars bring in the cash, but pinball machines don't. I enjoy it and it helps cover some expenses. If I was in it for the money, I'd stick to running cranes all day,they're easy to maintain and reliable. Pinball can be slow and it costs a lot to repair

 

[HardcoreSteven]

Yeah, I figured the bar would be pulling most of the weight. I've heard similar things from people who mix arcade games into their space. The fun factor is high but profits are hit or miss. Curious, though, how many machines do you run and are you running them on coin play or free with purchase? Might help me wrap my head around what the balance really looks like if I go this route. Appreciate you sharing your experience.