Starlight Pinball Arcade Presents $5 Fridays!

Every Friday at Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, Starlight Pinball Arcade opens its doors to families looking for a refreshingly screen-free way to spend an afternoon. This isn't your typical arcade—it's a carefully curated collection of restored pinball machines from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, maintained by two friends who've spent over 15 years bringing vintage arcade hardware back to life. Kids discovering these mechanical marvels for the first time will be captivated by the lights, bells, and satisfying clunk of the flippers, while parents who grew up with these games can share a bit of nostalgia with their children. The deal is straightforward: $5 gets you in the door every Friday starting at 11:00 AM at Studio 1022 inside Lowe Mill. That single admission gives you access to the entire lineup of working machines, each one carefully tuned and ready to play. The arcade works well for kids around ages 5-14, though younger children may need a boost to reach the buttons and older siblings often enjoy the challenge of chasing high scores. The owners are usually on hand and genuinely enjoy talking about the games, offering tips on strategy, and sharing the history behind each machine. Bring quarters for the machines and plan to stay awhile—once kids get the hang of keeping that silver ball in play, they'll want to try their luck on different tables. The arcade sits within Lowe Mill's creative community, so you can easily combine your visit with a walk through the artist studios or a stop at one of the building's food vendors.