Pins Mechanical Co Charlotte Review & Photo | The Best Charlotte Game Bar
Pins Mechanical Co is an arcade bar and the perfect outing for anyone who loves games. We made it here during a month long trip to Charlotte, and I knew I had to write about it because it was such a memorable and fun date night. I included Pins Mechanical Co Charlotte photos and a full review, to spread the word about South End’s most fun bar. And no I’m not getting paid. 😋
Quick & Condensed Pins Mechanical Co Charlotte Review
Pins Mechanical Co. is perfect for families, couples, big groups and even dogs. This Charlotte arcade bar and hangout spot has a great mix of free and paid activities, including a giant slide and swings (for kids AND adults). They also offer a side patio, elevated terrace with a rooftop view, TVs for sports, and an extensive and creative craft cocktail list. The money you spend on arcade games here goes to a charity. With free parking, food options across the street and great music, you really can’t go wrong here!
Full Pins Mechanical Co Charlotte Review & Photos
What to Expect
Pins Mechanical Co Charlotte is a fun and upbeat gathering spot the whole family will love, including your pup. Here you’ll find everything to know, photos and a full review.
Quick Links:
- When to Go
- Parking at Pins Mechanical Co. Charlotte
- Prices
- Games & Activities
- Drinks & Food
- Other Things to Do In South End Charlotte
When to Go
Pins Mechanical Co Charlotte is open seven days a week but the crowds will be very different depending on when you go in my experience. My husband and I came and left twice before eventually staying and having a blast. The reason we kept leaving is because we tried first on a Saturday night and then another time on a Sunday afternoon, and both times the bar was absolutely packed. We didn’t want to have to wait for games (we can both be a little impatient 😬) so we decided to go somewhere else and come back another time.
We made it back on a Thursday evening around 5:00 and we basically had the place to ourselves for at least the first hour. So if you’re looking for a crowded bar atmosphere, any weekend day or night is the best bet. Otherwise, I recommend going on a week night instead.
Are kids allowed at Pins Mechanical Co?
Yes! Pins Mechanical Co is great for all ages until 9:00pm every day when it changes to 21+.
How about dogs?
You might be surprised to find out you can bring your pup to Pins Mechanical Co Charlotte, both indoors and outdoors!
Pins Mechanical Co Charlotte Parking
There is a good size parking lot, although sometimes the parking can run out – especially on busy nights. If that’s the case and you’re driving, you’ll need to find street parking or use one of the nearby garages. A few suggestions are the parking garage at the Designer Center or at Sycamore. I’ve also seen suggestions for getting dinner somewhere nearby and walking over.
A better option would be to take the Lightrail to East / West Blvd station, which is a little under a ten minute walk from Pins Mechanical Co. And then of course there’s always Lyft and Uber which is quick and easy in Charlotte!
Prices & What to Expect
There is no admission fee for Pins Mechanical Co and you can do a lot for free, so this is a great place for everyone regardless of how much you’re able to spend. That is unless your kids will be tempted to stick to the games that are on the pricier side. 😉
I will say we spent more than we thought we would, but we weren’t careful to spend more time playing the free games than the paid ones. If you go in with a game plan, it won’t be hard to make Pins Mechanical Co. an affordable outing.
Pins Mechanical Co Charlotte Review : The Games & Experience
The first thing you might notice when you walk into Pins Mechanical Co is first the swings, right outside the front door which are surprisingly fun. There’s just something special about swinging at a bar. 🤪
And then of course the big twisted slide on the outdoor patio off the main room, for kids and adults! To get to the top of the slide, you’ll climb up to the upper deck that has a skyline view of Charlotte. This upper deck is actually a great place to hangout. We were surprised when we got up there to find that we had it to ourselves! And of course you have to try the slide, at least once.
I think they switch around how the outside patio is set up, but when we were there they had patio pong, lots of chairs, a fire pit, hookie and places to hangout. I loved how this environment was completely different than the indoors, and meant you could enjoy the great Charlotte weather as the sun goes down.
Now, time to talk games. Patio pong is my favorite game that you’re able to play for free. Patio pong is usually referred to as bucket ball, at least where I grew up, and you can play on the outdoor patio or bring it indoors – as long as it isn’t too packed. Hookie, a safe alternative to darts, and Giant Jenga are also awesome and free.
They also have ping pong and foosball, which both cost under $1.00 to play. My husband and I love both of these games, so we played both. Ping pong was kinda funny because you have to chase the ball around, but it just adds to the fun atmosphere of the place.
Outside of the more obvious games they also have different things to do to keep you entertained for hours. For example one thing I loved is that there’s a big board that mimics a Light Bright from the 90’s. They also have lots of TV’s, which they were playing sports on when we were there.
They even have cushiony chairs where you can sit and play Nintendo games. If you live in the area or are visiting on a Tuesday night, make sure to check out their weekly Mario Kart tournament.
And then of course there’s the arcade games! They have a big selection of both retro and new arcade games. These do cost quarters to play, but your money will be going to a good cause because Pins Mechanical Co. sends all the money from these games to the Ronald McDonald House.
They have a big lineup of pinball machines which are a little pricier than others I’ve seen in the area, but lots of fun and worth it. The one more expensive game is Duckpin Bowling, and you get plenty of game play for your moneys worth. I will say I’ve played better and more challenging duckpin bowling at places in other cities, so I would probably skip this next time, but it was still a great time and kids will love it. On the weekends there’s usually a long wait for duckpin bowling, so you may have to be patient to play.
Craft Cocktails
Part of the fun at Pins Mechanical Co. is getting to play games while sipping on drinks. I’m a sucker for novelty and it felt like the cocktail menu at Pins Mechanical was made for me. Their impressive list of craft cocktails includes seasonal specials and twists on classics, a lot of which come with candy or a little something extra.
If you aren’t a cocktail person, don’t worry – they have tons of draft beers on tap, seltzers, wine and more.
Do they serve food?
Food is not offered at Pins Mechanical, but you can find plenty of food options within walking distance for everyone in your group. Bang Bang Burgers, Velvet Taco and Shake Shack are all quick food options across the street. Hawkers is a sit-down option right nearby and it’s SO GOOD! Lastly, Suffolk Brewing‘s Southend Taproom has food and is about a mile away if you don’t mind a walk.
Other Things To Do In South End Charlotte
If you’re hoping to hop around after having a blast at Pins Mechanical Co., you’re in luck because outside of eateries there are plenty of spots to keep you busy in South End Charlotte.
We stopped at the Confetti Hearts Wall before making it to Pins Mechanical Co.! The mural is right behind Jeni’s Ice Cream (which is delicious).
If after Pins Mechanical Co you’re still ready to play more games, Puttery Charlotte is right nearby, where you can play indoor themed mini-golf in an upbeat atmosphere with drinks and food. You can read my Puttery Charlotte review, where you’ll see we loved it. This game bar is similar to Pins Mechanical Co. in that you’ll have a great time playing games and socializing in a fun atmosphere, that will make you feel like a kid again. One important thing to note, no one under 21 is allowed at Puttery (and no dogs either).
Lauren Kessel
Lauren Kessel is the author of this blog and the creator of the Inspired Backpacker Blog. She is a passionate digital nomad, with the mission to make slow travel a more accessible way of life for everyone. Lauren believes travel is an important means of education and more importantly, a way for people of different cultures to come together and understand each other better. She has a BS in Tourism and has planned countless domestic and international trips for herself, her family and friends, having visited over 12 countries and 30 states so far.
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