If you play pinball long enough, you start to realize something. Coffee isn’t optional. It’s fuel. Whether you’re trying to stay sharp during a long tournament, warming up on league night, or grinding through a few late night games in your home lineup, the right cup of coffee can actually help your game.
We’ve tried a lot of coffee over the years, both on the road and at home. These are our top picks for the best coffee for pinball players. Each choice supports the community in its own way, and every one of them ships nationwide, so you can stock up no matter where your games are set up.
1. Control Freak Coffee
Website: https://controlfreakcoffee.com/
Control Freak Coffee is the most pinball friendly coffee brand in the country. The thing that sets them apart is their custom caffeine levels. You can order fresh roasted beans and choose exactly how much caffeine you want. Decaf, 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent, or fully charged 100 percent.
Morning warm up session? Go 100 percent. Afternoon slump? Maybe ride the 50 percent blend. Late night league practice without wrecking your sleep schedule? The 25 percent option is a lifesaver.
Control Freak ships nationwide and grinds your beans to order, which means you get a bag that’s genuinely fresh. For pinballers who want total control over their game, this fits perfectly.
2. Pingrounds Coffee
Website: https://www.pingrounds.com/
Pingrounds is the most pinball centric coffee brand on this list. Based in Roselle, Illinois, they roast their own blends and operate a full pinball lineup right inside their shop. They even host monthly tournaments, which makes this one of the only places where you can literally drink pinball themed coffee while playing high quality machines.
Their coffee is roasted fresh, made by pinballers for pinballers, and their shop has turned into a small community hub for players in the area. If you’re anywhere near Roselle, stop in and play. If not, their beans ship anywhere in the US.
3. Stone Creek Coffee
Website: https://www.stonecreekcoffee.com/
Stone Creek Coffee has been roasting since 1993 and has a well earned reputation for quality. They have multiple cafes around Milwaukee, but their online store ships nationwide, so anyone can enjoy their beans.
Stone Creek stands out because their selection is huge. Bright, citrusy light roasts. Balanced and sweet mediums. Dark, smoky, chocolate forward roasts. You’ll find something that matches the way you like to play. They’re also a certified B Corp, which reflects their long term commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainable business practices.
If you’re a pinballer who wants amazing coffee backed by real transparency and care, Stone Creek is the pick.
4. What’s Brewing
Website: https://www.sacoffeeroasters.com/
What’s Brewing in San Antonio is a hidden gem for both coffee and pinball. They roast their own beans, serve incredible coffee and tea, and they have pinball machines in the building. If you’re a local, this place is a must visit because you can drink great coffee and flip a few games in the same spot.
Even if you’re not in Texas, you can order their beans online and have them shipped anywhere in the United States. They’re one of the longest running roasters in the region, so quality is never a question.
Keep Exploring the World of Pinball
If you’re diving deeper into the hobby, we’ve got plenty more to help you level up your game. Check out our guide to the best breweries for pinball, where you can grab amazing craft beer and flip some of the best lineups in Illinois. If you’re new to competitive play, don’t miss our beginner’s guide to pinball tournaments. And if you want stories, reviews, interviews, and plenty of laughs from inside the pinball scene, tune in to the Punk Rock Pinball Podcast.
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