Overview
The Asheville Pinball Museum is an arcade and bar in Asheville's Battery Park district adjacent to downtown. The majority owner is T.C. Di Bella.
The museum has been in operation since Aug. 2013 and in its current expanded space since early 2012. More than 40 pinball machines are housed in the 2,500 square foot space, which was occupied by a restaurant for the previous 80 years. Another 50 machines are stored in reserve, with possible plans for expansion to another location. In addition to the expansive pinball machine selection, patrons of the museum can tackle classic arcade video games. Also, the arcade features a bar that serves local beers.
Photos courtesy of TripAdvisor
Notables
Although the machine is operational, for display only in the museum is the Humpty Dumpty, the first pinball machine to have flippers. It was invented in 1947. The museum's oldest non-operational machine is called Arlington, a vintage gambling machine from 1937 — unavailable for play for legal reasons.
The museum has also hosted several notable heroes of gaming and pop culture, including Ernest Cline, author of Ready Player One, and Harry Anderson, one of the adult actors of the TV movie It.
Additional Information
Address: 1 Battle Square #1B
Hours: 2-9 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 12-9 p.m. Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sunday
Cost: Adults, $15. Children ages 10 and under, $12. Admission buys access to all 75+ pinball and video game machines.
For other questions: 828-776-5671.
Sources used for this entry: “Full tilt: The expanded Asheville Pinball Museum” from the Citizen-Times, Asheville; Asheville Pinball Museum website; interview conducted with owner T.C. Di Bella