Backpocket Pin and Pixel is a barcade operating in Johnston, just outside Des Moines, Iowa. As a bar-and-arcade hybrid, the venue pairs a working bar with gaming machines, the kind of setup that lets adult players move between a drink and a cabinet without missing a beat.
Des Moines and its surrounding suburbs have built up a steady roster of retro-friendly gaming venues over the past several years, and Backpocket Pin and Pixel fits squarely into that local circuit. Travelers and locals comparing the metro’s options can browse the rest of the field through the arcade finder directory or get a geographic view from the interactive arcade map.
The venue sits in Johnston, a suburb northwest of Des Moines proper, and is classified as a bar. That places it firmly in the adult-friendly portion of the regional arcade scene, where the focus tends to be on pinball, classic cabinets, and craft drinks rather than ticket-redemption or family attractions.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Johnston, IA |
| Phone | +1 515-666-1281 |
| Hours | Mon–Thu 11AM–10PM; Fri–Sat 11AM–12AM; Sun 11AM–10PM |
| Rating | 4.3 out of 5 from 367 Google reviews |
| Best For | Adult barcade nights, pinball, and classic arcade gaming paired with a full bar |
The Scene
Backpocket Pin and Pixel is categorized as a bar, which tells most of the story about its atmosphere: this is an adults-first gaming room rather than a family entertainment center. Visitors should expect a bar-side environment with cabinets and pinball tables on the floor, the kind of place where you can settle in with a drink between games rather than rush through a timed session of tokens.
A formal review summary was not available at the time of writing, so a detailed roundup of player sentiment is not included here. Anyone weighing a first visit can check the live rating and read recent comments through the linked venue page, or compare this barcade against nearby options such as Monsterama Pubcade, Up-Down DSM, and Ricochet.
Games & Machines
The venue is listed as a barcade, and the floor typically reflects that format: a curated rotation of pinball machines and classic video cabinets set alongside the bar area. Specific machine lineups, pricing, and any rotating tournaments are not detailed in the current record, so players looking for a particular title should confirm directly with the venue before making the trip.
Because the lineup changes in most barcades, the practical move is to call ahead at +1 515-666-1281 or check the official site at https://www.backpocketpinandpixel.com/ before visiting. The homepage remains the most reliable source for what is currently on the floor.
Visiting
Backpocket Pin and Pixel is located in Johnston, IA, a suburb northwest of the Des Moines city center. The address is recorded simply as Johnston, IA in the directory, so visitors should confirm the exact street location through the official website or by phone before driving over.
Hours follow a steady weekday pattern with a late-night bump on weekends. Monday through Thursday the venue runs 11AM to 10PM, Friday and Saturday extend to midnight, and Sunday returns to the 11AM to 10PM schedule. That setup gives after-work pinball players a comfortable weekday window and lets weekend visitors stay late into the evening.
As a bar-coded venue, guests should expect an adult-oriented environment with a working bar on-site. Specific food and drink menus, age policies, and party or event booking details are not included in the current record, so anyone planning a group outing should contact the venue directly through the phone number or website listed above.
For anyone mapping out the broader Des Moines gaming scene, the interactive arcade map is a useful starting point, and the arcade finder directory lists the full metro roster. Other nearby options worth a look include Clawz Entertainment, Up-Down DSM, and Monsterama Pubcade. Venue operators who want to update this listing can use the claim your listing page to take ownership of the record.