Frequently Asked Questions
If you have the questions then we have the answers, please enjoy our FAQ.
1What exactly is the Nickel City Pinball Club?
We are a legally recognized 501c7 non-profit social club. Under this designation, we serve our members, offering them opportunities to enjoy and share their passion for pinball.
2Where are you located?
We’re located at 5521 Transit Road in Depew, New York, a very short drive away from the heart of Buffalo.
3Is this an arcade?
No. The Nickel City Pinball Club has no arcade games, billiard tables, air hockey, or foosball (not that we don’t appreciate those too!). We are singularly focused on pinball, with over 30 pinball machines as of this writing (and one jukebox).
4Okay, does it look like an arcade?
The Nickel City Pinball Club is not a collection of pinball machines that happen to be in a club; it’s a social club that happens to specialize in creating a unique pinball experience. As such, visitors can expect more of a high-end social club feel, patterned after early twentieth-century clubs with leather furniture, dark walls, and vintage-styled lighting and fixtures.
We also have a jukebox that, while not perfectly fitting this theme, was too awesome not to include.
5What are your hours?
As a private social club, we are not generally open to the public and have no normal operating hours. Full members of the Nickel City Pinball Club have unlimited access to the facility during club hours (9 am until 10pm on weeknights and midnight on weekends), and Associate members enjoy full access to all special events, tournaments, and league competitions throughout the year. Trial memberships are also available to those who would like a day of access to either ‘try out’ the facilities, or to personally experience the history of pinball through our growing collection.
6Who can join the Club?
The Nickel City Pinball Club welcomes applications for membership from all adults (21 years or older) who have a passion for pinball. Acceptance for full membership is subject to the discretion of the Board and officers of the Club, as we do have a cap as to how many full members the Club is able to accommodate.
7What are the different types of membership and what are the benefits?
Trial memberships are a great opportunity to try out the facilities, offering full access to the Club and all its pinball machines for one day. Trial membership is $30.
Associate members have full access to the Club for all tournaments, leagues, and special events. They may also request to store a game at the Club (pending approval of the Board and officers of the Club). One calendar year of associate membership costs $300.
Full members have keycard access to the Club and may enjoy the Club whenever they like (within our operating hours described above). Household family members similarly receive full access to the Club. Full members may store one or more pinball machines in the Club, vote on Club business, serve in officer roles, bring guests to the Club, attend all tournaments, leagues, and special events at no additional cost, and may enjoy other benefits such as significant discounts with our partners on new pinball machines. There is a cap on the number of Full Memberships we can offer. Full membership costs $1,200 per year ($100 / month).
8Wait, you say members can store a pinball machine at the Club? Do I have to own a pinball machine to join?
No, not at all. Several of our members are running out of room to set up and display their pinball machines, so we provide a place for them to store them.
9Does the club own any pinball machines, or are they all owned by members?
All games at the club are put there through the generosity of the club members. The club does not own any pinball machines.
10So members have to pay their dues and then pay to buy games too?
No, all games are set on free play. All members may play all games as much as they want for no additional cost.
11You mentioned something about discounts on new pinball machines for full members?
Full members of the Club have the opportunity to buy brand new pinball machines at discounted rates from our partners, so long as they agree to keep the new game at the Club for at least six months. These discounts may partially or fully offset full membership costs!
12You mentioned a jukebox earlier.
Yes, but that’s not a question.
13Does it have great music in it?
As a benefit of membership, full members choose what music is in the jukebox.
14Is Barenaked Ladies in the jukebox?
Yes.
15Is Led Zeppelin in the jukebox?
Yes.
16Is Taylor Swift in the jukebox?
No.
17Where does all of the dues and event money go?
Rent, utilities, and maintenance! It is not inexpensive to operate a stand-alone location with this many pinball machines. As a non-profit social club, no officer or member is allowed to draw on revenues from the Club. Any excess funds go into improving and beautifying our space.
18What kind of pinball machines do you have?
Although we anticipate a revolving line-up, our current collection emphasizes many classic games from the 1970s through the very latest titles. Currently our oldest title is Gottlieb’s Jumping Jacks from 1973, and our newest pinball machine is Stern’s Uncanny X-Men, which was just released in late 2024.
19Do you have electro-mechanical pinball machines, pre-circuitry classics from the twentieth-century?
Yes. Currently, our oldest title is Gottlieb’s Jumping Jacks from 1973.
20Do you have newer titles, with the latest tech like interactive screens, LED lighting, and playfield toys?
Yes. Our newest pinball machine is Stern’s Uncanny X-Men, which was just released in late 2024. Next, we will be receiving one of the first Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrants Eye pinball machine for the Club, scheduled for release later this year.
21Can I watch the Bills and Sabres at the Club?
Absolutely. We’ve got a great TV, comfortable seating, and lots of interesting things to do during long breaks in the action or when you get frustrated with the referees.
22Is this a restaurant? Can I see the menu?
The Nickel City Pinball Club is not a restaurant. We’re not ruling out the possibility of food in the future, but we have no dining facilities at the present time.
23Is this a bar? Do members get discounts on drinks?
We do not have a bar. Again, as a new club there are many possible directions we can go in the future, but as of now we are focusing on what is at the heart of the club: a great pinball experience.
24Can I rent out the Club for a private event?
This may be a possibility in the future, but we’re not currently set up for this.