Entry No. 51 — the Fort Collins file — filed under: arcade-play
Sip n' Flip Arcade & Soda Bar
A community-run retro arcade where the twist is the bar: instead of leaning on beer, Sip n' Flip serves "dirty soda" — fountain soda jacked up with syrups and flavors — alongside draft beer and wine. The floor is quarter-operated and pinball-forward, with 17 pinball machines plus classic cabinets like Donkey Kong, air hockey, and driving games. It runs weekly pinball leagues and tournaments, and it's all-ages.
The story
Fifteen miles southeast of Fort Collins on Windsor’s Main Street, Sip n' Flip bypasses the standard arcade-bar playbook. Most modern coin-op joints rely on high-proof beer sales to subsidize beaten-up cabinets, but this family-run spot puts a dirty soda bar front and center—jacking up fountain drinks with flavored syrups, citrus, and cream, while keeping a selective draft beer and wine menu on standby.
The room is built around a lineup of 17 pinball machines that bridge generations, stretching from late-eighties shakers like Williams' 1989 Earthshaker to modern Stern layouts like Batman 66. Classic video cabinets like Donkey Kong, sit-down driving games, and air hockey round out the floor. Far from just a casual neighborhood quarter dump, it acts as home turf for regional competitive groups like Belles & Chimes of Northern Colorado, hosting weekly pinball leagues, tournaments, and community gatherings like sensory-friendly autism nights.
What it's like
Walk into 516 Main Street and you’ll hear the dual rumble of arcade solenoids and dirty soda mixers. The floor operates on actual quarters rather than plastic game cards, so stop at the change machine before claiming a machine. Expect a mix of kids building customized sodas and playing air hockey during daylight hours, while evenings tilt toward competitive pinball players locking into tournament matches. It’s closed Mondays and hours lean toward late afternoon and evening, so check their current schedule before driving out.
The move: Build matching custom dirty sodas, then go head-to-head on Donkey Kong and a vintage pinball ladder until one of you cracks a tournament-worthy score.
📍 Before you go It's in Windsor, about 15 miles from Fort Collins. Closed Mondays; hours skew afternoon/evening, so check Google before a late-night plan.
- 📍 Windsor
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Big night
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 516 Main St, Windsor, CO 80550
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Bruce's Bar — Drive four miles east to Severance after your arcade run for a plate of Rocky Mountain oysters at a legendary local dive.
- Lee Maxwell Washing Machine Museum — Pair your coin-op gaming trip with a seven-mile drive to Eaton to view the world's largest collection of antique washing machines.
- The Flipside — Make it a silverball double-header by driving ten miles south to contrast Windsor's soda bar with Loveland's cocktail-focused arcade floor.
Good to know
Is Sip n' Flip strictly non-alcoholic?
No. While dirty sodas made with syrups and cream are the main draw, they also keep draft beer and wine on tap.
Do the games take cash, cards, or quarters?
It is a traditional quarter-operated arcade. Bring cash for the on-site quarter changers, or bring your own pocket change.
Is it accessible for kids and beginners?
Yes. The space is completely all-ages and family-run, catering to casual drop-ins as well as structured league play and community events.
How far is it from Fort Collins?
It's located at 516 Main St in Windsor, roughly 15 miles (about a 20-minute drive) southeast of Fort Collins.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · pinballmap.com · business.windsorchamber.net · Yelp · Facebook · pinside.com
last checked: 2026-06-23