Truckstops in the 80's. Among other niceties, to which I was not granted access, were pins and arcade games typically available. Our dad drove a truck and would rack up credits on Six Million Dollar Man or Eight Ball Deluxe, "Stop talking and start chalking!" when you took too long to plunge the ball. My older borther and I loved mop up duty playying out the credits. $6MMan is the first game I ever fell in love with 1- because of the theme and 2- becaus eit was the first game that I played with the post between the flippers to keep you from losing it.
Aladdin's Castle. Sikes Senter Mall. Wichita Falls, TX was the classic 80's arcade across from the 6-plex theater in the mall. Everything from Xaxxon to 10 Yard Fight to Crossbow to Dragon's Lair. Pinballs during that era were Gold Wing, Cyclone, "Hey you with the face!" and F-14 Tomcat, among many, many others.
In the late 80's/ early 90's, Family Fun Place, South Plains Mall. Lubbock, TX. Black Knight2000. First game I could beat with regularity, in that I would show up with a $1 and leave with $.50 after playing for 2 hours. LOVED that game.
Putt-Putt, Lubbock, would get coupons out of the phone book( that in and of itself dates this one,) 40 tokens for 5 bucks. John Elway's Quarterback for days. Loved that it had continuous stats/ rankings. Pinball machine was Space Shuttle. Would beat the living hell out of the center ramp and one of the first games I learned with multi-ball.
I enjoy many of the assorted modern places and really like the ones where they have 20-30 pins and a set entrance fee for the day. When I am on the road for work( which is a lot,) after restaurants, I am looking at places to play pinball. I have benefitted from the resurgence of popularity of pins and arcade games.
Not a fan of the card readers, redeemable games, and the fru-fru bullshit these days; but if it drives more revenue to get the good games in there, then cool.