The Flip: Chicago’s Playable Pinball Museum gets a glow-up with move from Pilsen to the Loop

The Flip: Chicago’s Playable Pinball Museum is moving from Pilsen to Block 37 in the Loop this summer, bringing Chicago’s only museum focused on pinball to a larger downtown space, according to Block Club Chicago.

Founder William Pietri said the new location will have more than 30 playable machines, with games dating from the 1930s to today, the report confirmed. The museum will also include exhibits that explain the game’s history and its ties to Chicago.

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From a small prototype to a larger downtown home

The Flip began as a “prototype” space in Pilsen in 2024, but the new site will be much larger, growing from 550 square feet to 2,900 square feet, according to Block Club Chicago. The museum plans to operate during Block 37 mall hours, with daytime and evening access throughout the week.

Admission will be ticketed at the new location, though Pietri has not set a price yet, according to WGN Radio. Visitors will be able to try a few machines near the front or buy a ticket to explore the full museum and its exhibits.

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Chicago’s role in pinball’s rise

Pietri said Chicago is “the home of pinball,” and described the city as the heart of the industry, Block Club reported. He said the game was banned in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York for nearly 40 years because it was seen as gambling, per the Chicago Reader, but later found new life as a collectible and competitive game.

According to the sources, the Chicago suburbs remain home to major manufacturers, including Stern Pinball, the world’s oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball machines. The company has been part of the sport’s revival as competitive play and collector interest have grown.

Pietri said he hopes the museum will draw tourists, families, fans, and newcomers alike. He said, “It appeals to so many people … so this is an all-ages venue,” and added, per Block Club, “I hope [visitors] get the chance to play games and learn more about the industry and understand its connection to other industries.”

The museum started as what Pietri called his “own little insane project,” Block Club confirmed, but he said public support has been strong as The Flip prepares for its next chapter in the Loop.