Entry No. 48 — the Anchorage file — filed under: arcade-play
Seward Brewing Company
A coastal brewpub in downtown Seward that pairs its house beers with a pair of pinball machines: Williams' 1980 Black Knight and Gottlieb's 1993 Wipe Out. It's an unexpected place to find flippers, tucked into a Kenai Peninsula tourist town better known for fjord cruises. The scenic drive down from Anchorage turns a pinball session into a full day out. Open seasonally, so check ahead in the off-season.
The story
Most people make the 125-mile trek down the Seward Highway for ocean fjord tours, glacier views, or the Mount Marathon race. What you don't expect to find tucked into a downtown Seward brewpub at 139 4th Avenue is a pair of vintage pinball cabinets humming quietly alongside craft beer taps and wood-fired pizza ovens.
The flippers belong to two distinct eras of coin-op history: Steve Ritchie’s 1980 Williams classic Black Knight—famous for introducing the two-level playfield and magnet-powered Magna-Save buttons—and Gottlieb’s 1993 Wipe Out, a winter-sports-themed machine with a slaloming ball ramp. You didn't hear it from us, but finding early '80s solid-state hardware in a working port town on Resurrection Bay feels like discovering an arcade time capsule hidden inside a coastal tavern.
Chef Erik Slater and Hillary Bean took over the operation in 2014, anchoring the menu with house brews and regional ingredients. Because the brewpub operates strictly on a seasonal summer schedule—typically running from May through September—these flippers remain a summer-only privilege at the end of the scenic drive from Anchorage.
What it's like
Expect a bustling coastal tavern vibe where rain-soaked sea kayakers, summer tourists, and town locals share room around the bar. The brewing equipment greets you near the entrance, while the two pinball machines sit toward the back floor as an unexpected bonus rather than a full-scale arcade setting. Order a flight of house beer, slip quarters into Black Knight, and stay sharp on the Magna-Save buttons—that lower playfield drains fast when the ball drops off the upper tier. Aim for a weekday evening visit to skip the peak summer dinner crowd, and double-check their operating calendar before hitting the road.
The move: Cap a Seward day trip with a flight of local beer and a two-player run on the Black Knight pinball before the drive home.
📍 Before you go About 125 miles south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway; only two pinball machines, so this is a bonus rather than a destination arcade.
- 📍 Seward
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Big night
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 139 4th Ave, Seward, AK 99664
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Old Portage Townsite — Break up the 125-mile drive down the Seward Highway with a stop at the earthquake-submerged townsite ruins in Portage before reaching Seward.
- Gravity Hill — Test your car's neutral gear at this optical illusion on Upper Huffman Road in Anchorage before starting the long drive south.
- Dimond Skateland — If two pinball tables leave you wanting more retro indoor play when you get back to Anchorage, trade flippers for quad skates at this 1984 roller rink.
- Glen Alps / Flattop Mountain Dark-Sky Overlook — Catch wide panoramic views over Turnagain Arm from the foot of Flattop Mountain on your drive back north into Anchorage.
Good to know
Where is Seward Brewing Company located?
It is located in downtown Seward at 139 4th Avenue, about 125 miles south of Anchorage via the Seward Highway.
What pinball machines are on the floor?
The brewpub features two vintage tables: Williams' 1980 Black Knight and Gottlieb's 1993 Wipe Out.
Is the brewpub open year-round?
No, it operates seasonally during the summer months, typically May through September. Confirm hours before taking off in the off-season.
Is this a full-service arcade?
No, it is a coastal craft brewpub that happens to house two pinball machines, making it a fun side play rather than a dedicated game hall.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · pinballmap.com · Yelp · pinside.com · Wikipedia
last checked: 2026-06-23