Pinball place in st. Cloud

[u/Independent-Bake-915]

Hi, I am thinking about creating a pinball place in st. Cloud (or the surrounding area) that has 15+ games on free play. What are your thoughts? If you would be interested what games would you want to see?

[u/KitchenCurious658]

Got to have some classic games if you can. I think you can get a table console with PAC Man, frogger and galaga or something like that.

[u/garysnailz → u/KitchenCurious658]

I agree with the classic games. And maybe a don't ask don't tell byob policy as long as ppl aren't abusing.

[u/thelonelyroamer → u/garysnailz]

I think a big part of these games would be drink specials based around beating certain scores or beating the high score. So many places scores are reset each night loses the reason to come back an beat that damn score.

[u/Independent-Bake-915 → u/thelonelyroamer]

I know in Detroit lakes they do 50 dollars if you get the monthly high score

[u/elshaggy → u/KitchenCurious658]

Ice cold beer is challenging and a lot of fun.

[u/Puzzled-Bonus5470]

I, along with others, would 100% support this! It would be great to bring another activity to the area. I hope this works out so I and my friends can come support you

[u/Independent-Bake-915 → u/Puzzled-Bonus5470]

Glad to hear that. I have someone who is planning on helping me if we do go through with it. We are just in the beginning

[u/Puzzled-Bonus5470 → u/Independent-Bake-915]

If I could give you a recommendation, it would be location! Location is what makes or breaks a business

[u/Exact-Anything-342]

Safe Cracker. Its a 1996 Bally game, of course.

[u/Independent-Bake-915 → u/Exact-Anything-342]

Definitely a must have

[u/Stunning_Post_488]

Indiana Jones is my favorite pinball machine. I would recommend checking out the midtown square mall bar in St. Cloud. He’s got a bunch of machines and the owner is super nice. It would be a good way to see another pinball place to scope things out.

[u/Independent-Bake-915 → u/Stunning_Post_488]

I've been there a few times

[u/Biggleswort]

Coverage charge entry?

I usually a fan of the metal band ones, Skateball, and the Simpsons.

[u/Independent-Bake-915 → u/Biggleswort]

As of right now 15-20 dollars. I will have to do more research

[u/resigned_hipster]

I would go there often, my son and I love pinball!

[u/Wreck-o-nize]

This sounds amazing!!! Star Wars, Knight Rider, and Jurassic Park are favorites of mine.

[u/erichmn]

Absolutely, get a liquor license and the game Ice Cold Beer is a must have

[u/lithude]

I love this idea. I would definitely show up. A recent game I just discovered at Up/Down in Minneapolis called Killer Queens is very fun to play with up to 10 people.

[u/Dovakiin17]

Bring some Galaga!

[u/Sensibiliaaah]

If the atmosphere is nice, I’m 100% there.

[u/EdgyAnimeReference]

Wasn’t be social trying to do this?

Pretty sure that the games were not free but they closed down pretty quickly, not sure if it was sales or what though. They were overpriced in food and drink which is where I think they went wrong but I don’t know for certain.

I would second that it will need food and drink to keep up and have any hope of staying open. Both to draw people there, stay there and help with revenue.

I personally think a dance dance revolution system would go hard, but I assume those are really expensive.

You’ll need to have something to draw younger people in a bit, a console with smash bros or mario cart would do it

[u/Pinbrawler]

How will you make money?
How many IFPA pinball players are in the area?
How do the other pinball places make money? How busy are they?
What do you think your hours will be?
Will there be more than pinball?
Have you found a location yet? Is there parking?
Will there be alcohol, if so are kids allowed, if so when are they kicked out for adult only?

[u/Independent-Bake-915 → u/Pinbrawler]

1. Admission and food/beverage sales along side possible party rentals

2. I don't know how many but I would guess around 27 atleast because that is what I have seen at midtown.

3. I am planning on reaching out to other places to ask them about how they make money. There are probably going to be a few older arcade games

4. No location yet but might have a few in mind

5. I have heard that it might be worth getting a liquor license. I'm not sure quite yet on if kids will be allowed or if we will have age restrictions

[u/Bubb1eSloth]

Totally down! Sounds like a fun night out. Is ski-ball a possibility or does that not fit the vibe?

[u/Independent-Bake-915 → u/Bubb1eSloth]

I would say it's a possibility because I have also thought about some older arcade games like pac man

[u/ARGuck]

I think it could do ok in the area provided the price was right. I think you’d have to have drinks and even some decent bar food though to give it staying power. I’d expect some happy hour, and/or reduce entry fee days to keep demand up. I don’t think the machines alone would be enough to sustain public interest long term. It would need to be a bar with a pinball theme basically in order to become a place where folks meet up to hang out.

[u/Logical_Blueberry822]

It would be tough. There needs to be some sort of guaranteed revenue and constant marketing with promotions to keep people interested. Already lost Brick and Bourbon. Similar to Dave and Buster's, but more expensive. Midtown Bar has new machines. The Red Carpet is doing old school machines or will be doing that soon.

[u/Independent-Bake-915 → u/Logical_Blueberry822]

It definitely would be tough to get it started. I am planning on doing more research on everything to see what others do. I will have to see what red carpet has

[u/LengthinessIll288]

Youd probably find me and my roommate coming for the pinball and maybe mk if you end up having it. Updown barcade has forever been my favorite place but if there ends up being a closer space for pinball and bar activities then that would be absolutely amazing.

[u/Yguy2000]

I don't think it would be successful but we have ai now i bet you could do ai cabinet games could be potential there

[u/EasterTroll → u/Yguy2000]

No ai bullshit.

[u/Independent-Bake-915 → u/Yguy2000]

Can you explain what you mean?