If you’re looking for pinball locations in central Illinois, your choices are pretty limited. Thanks to our amazing friend CJ at The Pinball Haven, residents near Peoria and Bloomington no longer live in a pinball desert. This is our go-to local spot for leagues and tournaments. It’s a Stern Army location offering:
- A monthly open tournament on the first Friday of each month
- A Belles & Chimes women’s tournament on the third Wednesday
- Seasonal pinball leagues throughout the year
If you want to come flip with Mike (that’s me) and Steph from the Punk Rock Pinball Podcast, chances are you’ll find us here on the first Friday of every month. We also compete in the leagues. So if you’re anywhere near central Illinois, come out and join us!
Upcoming Events: The Pinball Have Peoria League Season 2 is about to kick off on Wednesday, July 23rd. Check the Facebook event for details.
Atmosphere
The Lounge at Landmark is located inside Landmark Recreation Center in Peoria, IL. The building is massive and also houses a bowling alley, fitness center, and salon. It’s definitely seen better days, and parts of the structure are in need of repair. The Pinball Haven is tucked away in the lounge area, which feels a bit dark and edgy. Honestly, it looks like the kind of place that should host all-ages DIY punk shows, even though it doesn’t (yet).
The vibe may not seem super welcoming at first glance, but that changes quickly once you meet the local pinball crowd. The community here is as friendly and welcoming as it gets. The Pinball Haven’s owner, Colin (CJ), is the Stern Army tournament director and one of the best TDs around. He and the regulars go out of their way to help and encourage new players. CJ is a huge part of why Steph and I got into playing tournaments in the first place.
While the interior could use an update, there are plenty of bathrooms and they’re consistently clean and well maintained. That’s something you’ll appreciate during those longer tournament sessions.
Food and Beverages
One big plus here is that The Lounge offers a full-service bar and restaurant. You’ll find a wide selection of alcoholic beverages and sodas on tap. The food menu leans toward typical bar fare, but it’s actually pretty solid. Sandwiches, pizza, and chicken tenders are all on offer, and everything we’ve tried has been good. So yes, you can definitely arrive hungry and thirsty.
The Pinball Machines
This is the heart of it all.
Pinball Haven Peoria (listed that way on the Pinball Map app) currently features 15 machines, with the lineup frequently rotating. CJ keeps things fresh, and the mix includes both modern and classic titles. The newer Stern machines are consistently in excellent condition, and the classics are generally well maintained too.
Occasionally you’ll find a game or two out of service, usually one of the older ones that are trickier to maintain. But overall, the machines are set up for fair, competitive, and fun play.
Current Lineup (as of this post):
- Aerosmith Pro (Stern 2017)
- Attack From Mars Remake (CGC 2017)
- Avengers IQ Premium (Stern 2020)
- Cactus Canyon Remake (CGC 2021)
- Cyclone (Williams 1988)
- Deadpool Pro (Stern 2018)
- Eight Ball Deluxe (Bally 1982)
- F-14 Tomcat (Williams 1987)
- Fire! (Williams 1987)
- Iron Maiden Pro (Stern 2018)
- Jaws Premium (Stern 2024)
- John Wick Pro (Stern 2024)
- King Kong Premium (Stern 2025)
- Metallica Remastered (Stern 2024)
- NASCAR (Stern 2005)
- No Fear (Williams 1995)
- Shrek (Stern 2008)
- Star Wars Premium (Stern 2017)
This lineup changes regularly, and usually includes the latest Stern releases.
Final Verdict
The Pinball Haven at Landmark is a great place to flip and compete. The building might be a little rough around the edges, but the pinball machines and local community more than make up for it. Whether you’re coming from Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, or anywhere else in central Illinois, this is a destination worth checking out.
As long as tournaments and leagues are happening here, this is where you’ll find us.
Overall Grade: C+
(Mainly due to the outdated physical space)
Pinball Machines Grade: A
Discover More Pinball Content
If you’re into pinball, or just curious, check out our Punk Rock Pinball Podcast where we share our journey into pinball fandom. On the blog, you can also find:
- Recommendations for the best pinball news websites
- Entertaining pinball content creators
- Reviews of other standout pinball venues
Location Details:
- Address: 3225 Dries Lane, Peoria, IL, United States, Illinois
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