The Coin Slot — Restaurant in Traverse City

As a tourist, I went in with hesitation, thinking it would likely suck, as I've been to other arcades over the past 10 years, most of them failures or not up to par. This, however, finally passed the test! I grew up as a kid in the golden age of video games-- and would go every weekend to my local arcade. This place truly captures the spirit of my cherished arcade hangout! They had an appropriate selection of classics-- PacMan, Donkey Kong, Galaga, Street Fighter 2, etc. About 30 total arcades, and they were lined up in a row just like how I remember! The place was dark-lit, and 80's pop/rock classics played on the loudspeaker. Better yet, none of that annoying coin/token BS-- here, you pay a flat fee, about $15 for an all-day pass, which includes a free beer. (Other packages available). No worry about the machine "eating" your quarter, or running out of quarters, or the machine jamming. And none of that "insert coin to continue" nonsense either-- so the high scores on the machines don't get inflated! They have about 5 local beer taps, so you can drink beer while you play! Of course, you have to be 21 to be in there since they have alcohol (it's the law boys, sorry!) My beer was good and the worker was welcoming and friendly, and ALL of the arcade machines worked perfectly fine! And the place was totally CLEAN! There's even a holder on the machine for your beer! Over in the corner, they have a couch where you can play all the Genesis games you want! This place is a MUST if you grew up...

I was going to the arcade with my friend who has never been to one before, i thought to myself "Dude you should go to this place called Coin Slot! They have all sorts of games and its really fun, we should go next weekend!" So I brought my friend over to The Coin Slot, we went inside and the only staff member told us that if we dont have an adult 21 or older we weren't allowed to go inside.

It used to be a fun arcade that anyone could go to and stay until it closed. Now you can't go to an ARCADE because it serves alcohol. There is almost nothing a teenager can do during the winter without going broke because everything is so expensive. This specific arcade is fairly priced and WOULD be a good choice IF you could even get in. The most frusterating part is that even after 9 there are NO minors allowed, meaning that even if I did bring an adult that is 21 just to play some old games, I would still have to leave after 9. You can be 14 and have a job, be 16 and drive a car, be 18 and go to a strip club, but you cant go to an arcade unless you are or have someone that is 21+ accompanying you. This used to be a fun place to go, but now it just lost the fun experience of an arcade. Independence is one of the greatest feelings in the world, but now, just because they serve alcohol I cant be by myself and feel like there isn't anyone judging me. Thanks for ruining one of the few things a...

EDIT: When I first started coming several years ago they had lots of cool old arcade games. Now it's just expensive pinball and maybe a couple old arcade games of they actually work. Disappointing for sure as I've also read others reviews. The reduction to only pinball was clearly a mistake on their part. Apparently they also used to have a gaming area to play old console games, would love to have seen that! I know pinball is a money maker for the owners obviously but I think you can't really call yourself a classic arcade without the classic arcade games. It also seems they have had some new businesses I. The back room but they seem to have pretty much been unsuccessful. Just put back the old games and stop trying to be a food and drink bar, leave that to the outdoor area in the summer!

Awesome place. Has grown recently! Love that they have cupholders on most of the...