It is easy to sometimes forget how far things can progress in a short time with a little effort, some great buddies, and a great community built up around pinball!!!!

Just 4 years ago there was no quality pinball to be played in our town. Dirty, broken, beat up games were the norm and only 1 or 2 games in a location. On a whim and a bet myself and a couple buddies decided to change that. What started with 1 location and only 4 quality pins has quickly grown to 4 locations and 35+ pins! We strive to keep them playing 100% and address issues as they arrise. It has been a lot of fun and I have learned a ton! Every quarter dropped goes right back into maintainence and new games to bring more pinball to the people.

I feel very fortunate to be part of this crazy trip and also for all the new friends I have met because of it. We have really seen a community bloom out of nothing and that is what it is all about, the PEOPLE! So many fun and cool folks that I would not know if it wasn't for these silly games.

Just feeling a bit restorspective today and wanted to share. Thanks to everyone that has helped pinball grow in Madison and made it all possible!

We started with this location, Pooleys. A sweet sports bar with room for 4 games. The lineup has changed and steadily evolves but has always been 4 deep. Some solid tables and a great place for a pint and sports memorbilia all over
https://pinside.com/pinball/map/where-to-play/6569-pooley-s-madison-wi

Next came Schwoeglers. We started with 4 which rapidly grew to take over the concourse with 8 and then more in the bar; at 13 now. The location is a bowling alley and bar. Great WI vibe, huge beers, and a selection of everything from EMs all the way to Dialed In! Pretty cool to be able to play so many era of games in one spot.
https://pinside.com/pinball/map/where-to-play/7239-schwoegler-s-bowling-entertainment-madison-wi

Third was Alt Brew a gluten free brewery and tap room (they serve gluten beer also form all over the state and fantastic nachos). This location is a favorite as the back room is all pinball and a great place to go on a quite day and be able to hear and really dig into a game.
9 games now and feature some oddballs like Atlantis, Aliens and soon a 2 player Joust.
https://pinside.com/pinball/map/where-to-play/8428-alt-brew-madison-wi

4th spot is the recently opened Maria's / Art-In. A music venue with a HUGE range of bands in the back room (everything from screamO to bluegrass to jazz to ? in a single week) 9 pins now and more to come. Everything from an awesome pop-a-card EM all the way to the newest SWpro! Also and ICB for those fiends. Consumat eastside Madison hip with a nice beer selection and now liquor license. In the same building is the Parched Eagle taproom which is a nice break for a pint of local brew also.
https://pinside.com/pinball/map/where-to-play/10094-maria-s-madison-wi

Just linked all 35 games to the thread for the fun of it. Amazed how many it has grown to and excited what the future holds!

Hopefully game #36 is ready to go out soon. Put in a new parts order yesterday.

thanks. It is myself and u2sean and BigDaddyBanjo that do this crazy thing.

I vote you find a location and go for it! It is lots of fun!

My general tips are:
4 pins is the real minimum to start a "spot". You can do less, but 4 is enough to create a thing which people will make a night out to do

Bullet proof a game before it goes out. Mylar in wear spots, rebuild everything, and plan on it still breaking down. It happens but working on them is way more fun at home.

Run a monthly meetup for fun. The real perk is meeting new people and building a community.

Be legit and make a LLC and get insurance. You wont likely need it but you dont want to take the risk just in case someone does something stupid.

Ideal location will have good foot traffic already but those are tough to get games in. Sell yourself as the reason a bar should give up the space for pins.

Have fun. If you go in with the attitude that it will be challenging but also an opporunity to learn then you will be happier when you get a call at 2am and have to go attend to a game

Also, wanted to note that in a 4 pin collection I think variety is important. Ideal woudl be 1 early bally, 1 sys11, 1 classic B/W DMD, and 1 newer game.

new is a great way to start IMO. New also means less total worry about upkeep. Keep in mind EVERY game will have some bugs to work out in the first few weeks and then things tend to stabalize.

I would just make sure the bar you pick has room for some growth. If 1 does well then you will want to expand with a few more.

they will likely want a cut. Negotiate whatever you can get away with

Historically it was 50/50 split after sales tax. I have heard some barcades letting you keep 100% so I say go for it

TBT, pinball is expensive to buy and maintain and the operator should get all the coin drop IMHO. Reality is you should try to set yourself up for success.

what do you honestly have to lose?

Worst case scenario, you blow some time trying it out and decide it is not for you after 6-12 months. You likely still walk away with a couple bucks in your pocket/ a game that others got to enjoy and is paid down a little.

Best case scenario is you find a new part of the hobby you enjoy and meet some new friends.

you will never know unless you try it

I would find the location BEFORE buying the game.

thanks Mike. It has been fun to be along for the ride and none of it could happen without the community.

I am pretty sure we are now the largest operator of pinball machines in the state?

5 years and now a 5th location!

Over 50 games now out on route in Madison.

Thanks to all that come through and support!

I/O Gaming Arcade > 720 Williamson st. Madison, WI is our newest location.
11 pins, 30 arcades, streaming content, board games, 20 taps, full bar, board games. This place has it all and the only actual barcade in the city!
So excited to be part of this one and my new favorite bar to hang out at!

https://pinside.com/pinball/map/where-to-play/11852-io-arcade-bar-madison-wi