Entry No. 55 — the New York City file — filed under: speakeasy
Sunshine Laundromat & Pinball
From the street this is a fully functioning laundromat, rows of washers and dryers and all. At the back, a broken-looking washer-dryer unit is actually a hidden door that swings open into a dim pinball speakeasy packed with two-plus dozen machines, from The Addams Family to an AC/DC Limited Edition. There is craft beer on tap, no kitchen so you can bring your own snacks, and a coin-op mechanical chimp that tells fortunes.
The story
Walk down Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint and you will pass what looks like an entirely unexceptional neighborhood laundry spot. Inside, fluorescent lights hum over rows of wash tubs, folding tables, and plastic carts. People are sitting on plastic chairs waiting on spin cycles. But walk straight past the front rows toward the back wall, and you'll spot a battered, fake washer-dryer unit that looks like scrap metal.
Push on that dryer door and it swings inward into a dimly lit, narrow taproom crammed with over two dozen pinball cabinets. The roster spans classic tables like The Addams Family to collector runs like an AC/DC Limited Edition. The machines clatter, flash, and chime under dark ceilings, served by a full bar pouring craft beers on tap.
There are no plush speakeasy velvet couches or secret passwords here—just silver balls, tap lines, and a coin-operated mechanical chimp tucked into a cabinet that dishes out fortunes. You didn't hear it from us, but you can wash a load of darks while knocking out high scores on an AC/DC table in the back.
What it's like
You'll walk through a room smelling of laundry detergent and bleach before pushing through a dryer into a noisy, tight bar space. It gets packed on weekends, so aim for a weekday afternoon right around the 2 p.m. opening if you want first dibs on tables like Addams Family without waiting. Pinball machines and laundry equipment run on quarters, so come with cash for the change machines. Since there is no kitchen inside, you are allowed to bring in your own food—grab takeout from Manhattan Avenue to eat while you play.
The move: Pretend to do a load of laundry, then slip through the fake dryer door to split a pitcher and battle for high score across the pinball lineup.
📍 Before you go Pinball bar opens around 2pm daily; cash for laundry, machines take quarters. No kitchen, so bring food.
- 📍 Greenpoint, Brooklyn
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Big night
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 860 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Gutter — A half-mile walk south leads to eight vintage 1970s bowling lanes if you want to keep the retro competition going.
- Barcade (Williamsburg) — Head down into Williamsburg to compare Sunshine's pinball focus against the original arcade bar that started the format.
- The City Reliquary — Pair a pinball run with a trip to this nearby oddities museum filled with vintage NYC artifacts and subway tokens.
Good to know
Is it still an active laundromat?
Yes, the front area is a fully functioning laundry facility with washers and dryers that run on cash and quarters.
How do you access the pinball bar?
Walk to the rear of the laundromat and look for a broken-looking double-stacked washer-dryer unit. Push the dryer door open to enter the bar.
Can you buy food inside?
No, Sunshine has no kitchen, but you are explicitly allowed to bring in outside food and snacks.
What payment methods do they accept?
The pinball and laundry machines require quarters (change machines are available on site). The bar accepts credit cards for drinks.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Atlas Obscura · nyctourism.com · Yelp
last checked: 2026-06-23