Level Up: The Ultimate Guide to the Birmingham Gaming Scene
From our own silverball sanctuary in Digbeth to high-tech sims in the city centre, here is your definitive guide to gaming in Brum.
Let’s be honest, Birmingham is currently going through a golden age of gaming.
Gone are the days when “going to an arcade” just meant finding a sticky carpet and a broken Time Crisis 2 machine in a bowling alley service station. Today, Brum is packed with incredible venues catering to every type of player – whether you’re chasing high scores on a vintage arcade machine, strapping into a full-motion F1 simulator, or, well, flipping the silverball at the Pinball Factory with us here in Digbeth.
We are incredibly proud to be the newest addition to this vibrant community and to celebrate the opening of The Pinball Factory for the 2026 season, we thought we’d compile a guide to the very best gaming spots across the city.
Here are the best arcades in Birmingham.
1. The Purist’s Choice: The Pinball Factory (Digbeth)
Okay, we’re biased, but we’re starting the list right here at home in the Zellig building at the Custard Factory.
Rising from the ashes of the beloved Tilt Pinball Bar, The Pinball Factory was built by pinball enthusiasts, for pinball enthusiasts. We aren’t about flashing lights to distract you while you drink; we are about the pure mechanics of the game.
We house around 30 pristine machines, ranging from modern Stern masterpieces to restored classics. The best part? We operate on a flat entry fee with all machines set to freeplay. No hunting for change, no eating your tokens – just pure, uninterrupted pinball from only £10.00 per session.
If you are a video gamer who loves retro or console gaming but have never tried pinball then you are almost certainly going to have a blast at the Pinball Factory.
We don’t sell any drinks yet so feel free to bring your own beer and snacks (or visit venues like Alfred Works for a ton of food and drink options).
Best for: Pinball and low prices.
2. Retro Vibes & Arcade Bars (18+)
If you want a side of craft beer or a themed cocktail while you mash buttons on Street Fighter II, these are the go-to evening spots.
NQ64 (Digbeth)
Just a stone’s throw from us, NQ64 is the heavy-hitter of the Birmingham retro scene. It’s a neon-drenched basement filled with over 30 classic cabinets (think Pac-Man, Tekken, Guitar Hero) and vintage consoles like the N64 and SNES that are free to play. It’s loud, it’s fun, and the drinks list is as retro as the games. They have a few pinballs as well but they are typically in poor shape (so visit us to scratch that itch).
Lane7 (The Cube & Bullring)
While they are famous for stylish bowling, don’t sleep on their arcade sections. Both Birmingham locations feature a mix of retro classics and modern ticket-style games perfect for a group night out. They also have some retro consoles on free play upstairs. Best for family fun.
3. The High-Tech Simulations
Birmingham has embraced the “competitive socializing” trend hard. If a joystick and two buttons aren’t immersive enough for you, try these:
F1® Arcade (Paradise)
This is cutting-edge stuff. It’s the world’s first official Formula 1 simulator bar, featuring 53 full-motion racing rigs. You aren’t just playing a game; you’re strapped in and feeling every turn on Silverstone.
TOCA Social (Bullring)
If your skills are better suited to the pitch than the track, TOCA is an interactive football experience. You play various digital games in private bays using real footballs against huge screens. Great for football fans, less good for traditional gamers.
Sandbox VR (Grand Central)
Forget home VR headsets. Sandbox offers free-roam virtual reality experiences using full-body motion capture and haptic vests. You and your team can physically walk around inside the game world and you’ll actually feel the action. Great if you are a Stranger Things or Squid Game fan but a little pricey for a short experience.
4. The Esports Hubs
If you prefer a mouse and keyboard or the latest generation of consoles over an arcade cabinet, these arenas are built for serious gamers.
Belong Gaming Arenas (New Street & The Fort)
Located inside Sports Direct on New Street (with a second venue at The Fort), Belong is where the competitive scene lives. They offer high-end PCs, PS5s, and Xbox Series X setups available for hourly rental or organized tournament play.
5. Family-Friendly Classics
Sometimes you just want that classic seaside arcade feel with the kids.
Funstation (Star City)
Currently the largest traditional arcade in the city, Funstation is packed with carnival-style games, air hockey, racers like Mario Kart Arcade GP, and indoor dodgems. It’s all about winning those tickets for prizes. Good fun to tack onto bowling but probably not worth a visit for the arcade alone!
Final thoughts from The Pinball Factory team:
Birmingham’s gaming scene is thriving, and there’s room for everyone. We highly recommend taking a tour of Digbeth and seeing what the city has to offer.
Just remember, if you find you are running out of credits a little too often or have already enjoyed VR fun then the silverball is waiting for you back at the Pinball Factory in the Zellig Building on a range of almost 30 pinball machines.
See you on the leaderboards!