Courtesy Senator John Heinz History Center.

Senator John Heinz History Center
May 13
7 – 11 p.m.

If you’re craving your next pinball fix after last month’s PAPA world tournaments hosted in Carnegie (read our coverage here), then you don’t want to miss this first-of-its-kind happening dedicated to pinball.

Photo by Rachellynn Schoen.
Photo by Rachellynn Schoen.

Come Friday night, the trademark clacks and dings and lights of pinball will fill the Heinz History Center during a lively night of vintage gaming fun for the 21+ set. Setting up shop from 7 to 11 p.m., Pinball Game Night will feature unlimited free play on more than 50 vintage pinball and arcade games.

To present the evening of retro fun, the Strip District venue is teaming up with ReplayFX, which is loaning a cool selection of games. Falling rather appropriately on Friday the 13th, Pinball Game Night will also feature specially crafted frightening surprises courtesy of local favorite Halloween haunt, The ScareHouse.

Photo by Rachellynn Schoen.
Photo by Rachellynn Schoen.

Pinball wizards and newbies alike can go for high scores on iconic pinball and arcade games, while mingling with ScareHouse zombies, enjoying food and drink and more.

In addition to playing the night away on pinball, attendees can relive childhood fun via iconic games spanning the 1950s through the 1980s—such as PAC-MAN, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros., Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots and many more.

Courtesy Senator John Heinz History Center.
Courtesy Senator John Heinz History Center.

In between rounds, gamers can satisfy their cravings with sweet treats from on-site candy and snack bars featuring nostalgic munchies from yesteryear (think: corn dogs, Pixy Stix, Laffy Taffy and soda pop), watch 3-D printing demonstrations by PieceMaker, and enjoy access to all six floors of  the History Center, including its latest Toys of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s exhibition.

Pinball Game Night is open to ages 21 and up. Tickets are $25 and include admission, unlimited play on games, one drink ticket, and access to all History Center exhibitions. A cash bar will be also be available. Buy tickets online or at the door.

Looking for more events? Read our 11 Pittsburgh events not to miss in May feature.

Jennifer has worked at the Mattress Factory, Brooklyn Museum of Art and Dahesh Museum of Art and is co-author of Pittsburgh Signs Project: 250 Signs of Western Pennsylvania. She also is co-coordinator of Handmade Arcade. Musically, she is in a band called The Garment District and is a founding member of Brooklyn's The Ladybug Transistor.