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First Look: Inside John John’s Gameroom

(Images: Suzi Pratt for CHS)

Last week, we told you Capitol Hill’s new pinball beer bar was set to open on E Olive Way. Here’s a look inside John John’s Gameroom.

The owners behind Fremont’s Add-a-Ball have turned around the former Faire Gallery and squeezed in a lot of games. Considering the odd layout, John John’s and the woodwork guys from Sparrow have made pretty good use of the space.


John John’s holds about 20 machines, mostly pinball and a good scattering of old arcade classics, too, including Dungeons and Dragons, Tales From the Crypt, The Addams Family, and Dracula pinball, two types of Pac Man and Street Fighter. Even the narrow second floor manages to squeeze a pinball machine and a Pac Man along the narrow walkway stretching around the bar’s front. Unlike many bars that rent their machines, Travis Echert and Brad Johnsen most of theirs — or borrows them. With help from a friend and collector, John John’s Gameroom will also feature the occasional one-of-a-kind specialties that sometimes rotate through the Fremont location.

John John’s emergence is the start of a small overhaul of the corner at E Olive Way and Melrose. We’ll have more information soon about the work underway next door with the new bar being created in the old Living Room space.

The new game room is 21 and over and cash only, with coin machines inside to break your bills. John John’s will be open seven days a week, 2 PM to 1 AM. If you’re trying to track down your favorite pinball wizard, you might want to start here.

You can learn more on the John John’s Gameroom Facebook page.

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Greg
Greg
11 years ago

Would love to see these guys consider allowing minors between 2-4pm (presumably, keeping the bar closed until 4:30pm or so). Can’t imagine they’d get much bar traffic in mid-afternoon anyway, and we’d definitely stop by if they did allow under 21 at any time.

seattlebear
11 years ago

I was kind of disappointed with some of the game selection. Was hoping there would be the old Star Wars game or Tempest. But I will deftly go back and try it again

Jsteez
11 years ago

not much bar traffic in mid-afternoon? you naive youngster :P this is capitol hill, and I’ll take my mid-afternoon pbr with a side of tales from the crypt, thanks :)

genevieve
genevieve
11 years ago

I see from the photos they’ve got Addams Family – that’s a good start. But what I really wanna know: do they have Twilight Zone? or the elusive and totally awesome Diner??

jeanineanderson
11 years ago

Thanks for not jumping up to 3 quarters to play, John Johns!
I’m irked with Shorty’s and Shorty’s leasees, which charge 75 cents to play on irregularly maintained machines.

Pod
Pod
11 years ago

I can’t wait to check this place out. The girlfriend loves pinball, but hates clowns, so we never go to Shorty’s. She’ll like this.

I’ll challenge any of you to a game of Street Fighter!

Nick
11 years ago

Couldn’t agree more. And what’s this? A change machine? In a pinball/arcade bar? No… You mean I don’t need to put in a dollar bill for an already over priced 75 cent play? I think another certain caphill pinball location could learn a thing or two. Or not. Probably not.

xaotica
11 years ago

I’m assuming you know about the Seattle Pinball Museum… but just in case not, they allow minors during the day :) http://www.yelp.com/biz/seattle-pinball-museum-seattle

n00b
11 years ago

omg n000b…just be better at pinball and you can play all day on 75 cents. REPLAY

tommy
11 years ago

lots and lots of pinball! (compared to other place I’ve lived)

steve white
steve white
10 years ago

Asteroids please , anybody ?