Arcade Report: Insert Coins Lounge in Las Vegas

[alfonzotan]

Had to spend a week in Vegas for work recently.  Not a good thing; I am not a "Vegas Guy."  But at least I had an opportunity to check out the "arcade bar" Insert Coins up in the old downtown.

It's on Fremont, on the block just east of the covered whatever-it-is Fremont Place.  It doesn't open until 4PM.



Inside, it really is a "lounge."  One side is couches and console games (I didn't play any).  Nice bar in the middle, arcade games are along the other side and the front wall.  I got there shortly after they opened on a Thursday, I was the only customer in the place.  Sorry about the blurry pics:







I ordered a Stella, got some quarters from the old-school change machine, and started playing.

The good news:  the games are very will maintained, most are in good working order.  The few that aren't (which happily included nothing I was interested in playing) were turned off.  Highlights were Asteroids (screen every bit as nice as the one at Castles And Coasters in Phoenix, and not as beat-up), Defender, Frogger, various Pacs, a waist-high cocktail Track And Field (think Atari Football size), Star Wars Trilogy Arcade, a nice Missile Command, vintage Space Invaders, Joust, Tapper (Bud).  Plenty more, but I didn't keep a list, and it's been a couple of weeks now.

The prize of the place is an absolutely gorgeous Tron.  This has to be either a prior Home Use Only cabinet or (more likely) an outstanding restoration.  This is easily the best-looking Tron I've seen in the wild a couple of decades.  Perfect screen, perfect controls.







My biggest complaint:  bunch of the games were set to 50 cents.  LAME!

Still, thumbs up.  I've seen plenty of worse-maintained and lamer attempts at "barcades."  Check it out if you get the chance.

[Gray_Area]

Nice. You should've put this in Main. The only issue I have, something that always nits me, is the concrete floor and unfinished ceiling = echoplex. Ew.  Cool lit-up bar, though.

Did you go to the Pinball Hall of Fame??

[alfonzotan]

Nice. You should've put this in Main. The only issue I have, something that always nits me, is the concrete floor and unfinished ceiling = echoplex. Ew.  Cool lit-up bar, though.

Did you go to the Pinball Hall of Fame??

I drove by there on my way to work, didn't get a chance to stop in.  But, um, it looked like a vacant lot with a sign out front.  Maybe I was looking in the wrong place... are you sure it's still in operation?

[Gray_Area]

Nice. You should've put this in Main. The only issue I have, something that always nits me, is the concrete floor and unfinished ceiling = echoplex. Ew.  Cool lit-up bar, though.

Did you go to the Pinball Hall of Fame??

I drove by there on my way to work, didn't get a chance to stop in.  But, um, it looked like a vacant lot with a sign out front.  Maybe I was looking in the wrong place... are you sure it's still in operation?

I haven't been there. Maybe you were looking at the place next door

[flashiv]

From their website, a list of games they have.  I am assuming it is accurate. 

http://www.insertcoinslv.com/games/


Planning on going to Vegas for a short honeymoon in Dec. (that's the plan) you can bet I am going to try and stop here!

[Gray_Area]

I have a list of arcades across the country to visit. I just never have another reason to travel to those places.

[flashiv]

I have a list of arcades across the country to visit. I just never have another reason to travel to those places.

Then why not make a trip just to visit the arcades?

[alfonzotan]

From their website, a list of games they have.  I am assuming it is accurate. 

http://www.insertcoinslv.com/games/


Planning on going to Vegas for a short honeymoon in Dec. (that's the plan) you can bet I am going to try and stop here!

Atari Star Wars (1983) and Dragon's Lair were nowhere to be seen when I was there (disappointing but not surprising, given how hard those two machines are to maintain).  Otherwise that list looks pretty accurate.

[MaineEvent]

Nice. You should've put this in Main. The only issue I have, something that always nits me, is the concrete floor and unfinished ceiling = echoplex. Ew.  Cool lit-up bar, though.

Did you go to the Pinball Hall of Fame??

I drove by there on my way to work, didn't get a chance to stop in.  But, um, it looked like a vacant lot with a sign out front.  Maybe I was looking in the wrong place... are you sure it's still in operation?

It's still there. Very easy to miss it, there isn't even an "enter here, we're open" door. I thought I was opening a stairwell door when I walked in.
Great games inside...some of which are even in playable condition (unfortunately)....
This place runs on donations, which is horrible because the guy who owns everything is a millionaire.
Lots of super rare games, but they were all ---fouled up beyond all recognition--- up.
I could still spend all day on the newer games.....AC/DC with the updated code!

[Gray_Area]

(unfortunately)....This place runs on donations, which is horrible because the guy who owns everything is a millionaire.

Which is maybe why he is, or still is anyway.

I have a list of arcades across the country to visit. I just never have another reason to travel to those places.

Then why not make a trip just to visit the arcades?

Well, a few years ago, I was contemplating a cross-country arcade trip. But hotels add up fast, and I get tired of driving. Still a possibility, though.