Once again, PinMap came through! We spotted a pinball spot over in Brooklyn that looked packed with machines, so we hopped on the subway and made our way over. Only one train change—it was super easy to get to. The place? Scrappleland Pinball Bar. And from the moment we walked in, we were seriously impressed.
The lineup was huge—tons of machines, many of them brand new and in top condition. Loads of Premium versions too, which means all the bells, whistles, lights, toys—everything you want. I clocked Congo straight away and made a beeline for it.
They also had the brand-new title from Spooky Pinball, so of course, we had to give that a go. It’s a solid game with fantastic artwork and some really fun callouts. I had quite a few quick drains, though, and didn’t get deep into the modes. Maybe it was just the timing (we were both feeling a bit knackered), but I wasn’t totally blown away—yet. Definitely feels like a game I need to spend more time with. And the topper? So cool in person—definitely one of the highlights.
After that, we kicked off a little mini challenge between me and Paul. We took turns picking machines and going head-to-head to see who could score higher. Great fun—and credit where it’s due, Paul had the edge that day (though I had a few decent runs!).
We met some really friendly folks there too. One funny moment—while chatting with one of the local league players, the very first thing he asked when he found out we were from the UK was, “Do you know Neil McRae?” 😂 We had a laugh and ended up messaging Scott to let him know. Love how small and connected the pinball world can be.
The bar was buzzing—great atmosphere, and we were told it gets even busier on league nights. They were prepping for an event that weekend and invited us along, which was awesome. Sadly, we had to let them know we’d be in Detroit by then—but still, it was a really nice gesture.
Also got the chance to try out the Premium version of Dungeons & Dragons—still absolutely loving it, and I’m more convinced than ever that Premium is the way to go. The extra features really add to the experience.
Meanwhile, Paul discovered a cider he really liked—super fresh and properly refreshing. Safe to say he was just as happy as I was!
All in all, Scrappleland is an absolute gem. Great machines, great beer, great people. Next time I’m in New York, I’m 100% heading back. One of the highlights of the trip for sure.
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