Sat 10/26 @ 1PM
Board games. Bowling. Bocce. Shuffleboard. Video arcade games. Pinball.
All those classic forms of entertainment have come roaring back in the last few years, with a young people embracing them as novelties and older people enjoying the nostalgia factor at a new kind of “adult” establishment featuring good, clean fun.
Vintage pinball machines provide a real dollop of excitement, with their colorful themes, lights, whistles, bells and clatter of the little silver ball that the competitor has to keep from going down one of the holes in the game field. Stop in at the Superelectric Pinball Parlor on the corner of West 65th and Detroit in Gordon Square and you’ll see folks of all ages working those flippers on a constantly changing rotation of the machines.
Superelectric Pinball, which specializes in pinball (and also offers snacks, beer, wine and cocktails), is naturally one of the locations where the Cleveland Pinball League plays its games. And if you have a competitive nature and want to get in on it, good news: its new season — its 15th! — starts this week on Mon 10/28.
“Cleveland Pinball League is a fun group, with members ranging from those who just want to socialize and flip around to world-class players willing to share their tips and tricks,” says CPL “commissioner” John Delzoppo, Cleveland Pinball League commissioner. “Over the past 10 years, pinball’s popularity has been blowing up, with Northeast Ohio boasting one of the largest competitive scenes in the country. As Clevelanders, we’re lucky to have some excellent locations to host the league.”
All ages and skill levels can play, so it’s something the whole family can do together. League play for the eight-week season takes place at Superelectric Pinball Sundays @ 1pm and Wednesdays @ 8pm. There’s also play at two establishments with machines that aren’t strictly devoted to pinball, the Happy Dog on Mondays @ 8pm and Southland Lanes on Tuesdays @ 8pm.
The season lasts for eight weeks, with the finals taking place at Superelectric Pinball on Sat 12/21 where prizes and trophies will be awarded and one player will win a pinball machine in a raffle. Registration, which funds the prizes and trophies, is $15.
To meet some of the enthusiasts and learn what it’s all about, come to the league’s Halloween Bash at Southland Lanes Sat 10/26 @ 1pm. There’ll be a costume contest and a free tournament so you can get the feel of things and spend the afternoon playing, with a costume contest and free tournament.
Cleveland, OH 44102
Cleveland, OH 44102
6800 W 130th St, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130