Entry No. 58 — the New Orleans file — filed under: records
Mystic Krewe Pinball Parlor
Tucked inside the Broad Theater, this is the public arm of the Mystic Krewe pinball collective and is billed as the largest single array of vintage pinball machines in a public space in the New Orleans area. You don't need a movie ticket to walk in and play, the lineup leans toward modern hits like Jurassic Park and Iron Maiden, and theater food and drinks are right there. All ages.
The story
You don't need a secret handshake to play silverball in Mid-City, though the Mystic Krewe collective operates with the quiet obsessiveness of a rogue order. Before landing inside the Broad Theater, this pinball outfit migrated across the city—from a falafel joint on St. Claude Avenue to a standalone parlor shut down during 2020 lockdowns. What sits on North Broad today is the public face of a collective dedicated to keeping mechanical arcades alive in New Orleans.
It stands as the largest single lineup of pinball machines in a public space anywhere in the area. You aren't playing neglected, coin-jammed relics; these cabinets are kept alive by people who actually know how to wire a solenoid and wax a playfield. The array leans into modern, hard-hitting tables like Jurassic Park, Iron Maiden, and Deadpool, anchored by vintage machines brought in by the collective.
What it's like
Walk right through the front doors of the Broad Theater and bypass the ticket line—you do not need a movie ticket to play. Grab a craft beer or popcorn from the theater concession bar, then step over to the pinball nook along the lobby. Weeknights offer low-lit, quiet flipping where you can hold a table uninterrupted, while weekend movie rush hours bring a steady crowd watching your high scores.
The move: Grab theater snacks and a drink, then work through the lineup of vintage and modern pinball tables ranked by who racks up the higher score.
📍 Before you go Open daily around 2pm-10pm, but hours flex with the theater's movie schedule, so check before going.
- 📍 Mid-City
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Big night
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 636 N Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70119
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Broadside — Step right outside the theater complex to catch live music or an outdoor screening at this open-air venue run by the same team.
- Bayou St. John / Magnolia Bridge (Cabrini Bridge) — Walk under a mile up North Broad to clear your head along the water at this historic voodoo gathering point on the bayou.
- Emporium Arcade Bar — Head toward the Marigny if you want to extend your gaming crawl into an adults-only warehouse packed with pool tables and arcade cabinets.
Good to know
Do I need to buy a movie ticket to play pinball?
No. The pinball parlor is located in the Broad Theater lobby and is completely open to the public without buying a film ticket.
What are the operating hours?
They are generally open daily from around 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, but because the arcade shares space with the cinema, operating hours shift alongside the theater's film schedule.
Are kids allowed?
Yes. Unlike adult-only barcades, the parlor inside the theater lobby is open to all ages.
Can I get food and drinks while playing?
Yes. You can order beer, cocktails, popcorn, and theater snacks directly from the Broad Theater's concession counter right next to the machines.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · nola.com · Tripadvisor · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-23