Dutch Pinball Museum

About the museum

The Dutch Pinball Museum opened in August 2015 in the Fenixloods II on Katendrecht. It was founded by Gerard van de Sanden. At the start of 2020 it moved to historic Delfshaven, into the building De Dubbelde Palmboom at Voorhaven 12.

The building dates from 1825 and was first a grain warehouse, then used as a distillery from 1861, later as a crate factory, and from 1975 to 2012 it was an annex of the Museum Rotterdam. Since the move, the pinball machines have filled around 1,700 square metres. One peculiarity of the building: its rear lies 40 centimetres lower than the front, which is why flood boards are needed at the back doors.

The collection averages around 150 playable machines, plus display objects such as nail boards, bagatelles and production equipment. It is arranged by era: pre-war machines, electromechanical machines (1930–1977), solid-state machines (1977–1990) and dot-matrix machines (from 1991). The oldest electromechanical game is "Fleet Jr." by Bally (1934); "Gorgar" (1979) is regarded as the first talking pinball machine.

Because all machines are set to free play once you have paid admission, the museum is more of an arcade with a history. There is a café in the building, and on the upper floor the "Level Up" room is available for meetings and workshops.

Highlights

• Around 150 playable pinball machines, all on free play
• Collection from the pre-war era to the present, oldest electromechanical game "Fleet Jr." (1934)
• "Gorgar" (1979), the first talking pinball machine
• Listed warehouse building from 1825 in the harbour of Delfshaven
• Café "De Huyskamer" with homemade cheesecake

Permanent exhibition

• Die Flipper-Sammlung – Around 150 playable machines, arranged by era from pre-war machines and electromechanical games to today's dot-matrix machines; plus a history room with display-only objects.

Founded

2015

Admission & discounts

€18 applies to a 2-hour time slot. Everyone has to pay, including companions who only watch; the machines wear out regardless. Rotterdampas and Museumjaarkaart are not valid. Rebooking is possible up to 24 hours in advance (subject to availability), no refunds.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children may play too and pay the full price; children's birthday parties are possible (at most three children per adult). Children under 5 must be closely supervised.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is right on the water (Voorhaven).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Coat check

Café "De Huyskamer" with drinks, coffee, homemade cheesecake and toasties; cloakroom on the ground floor at reception (at your own risk).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 150 guests.

Group and corporate events on 1,700 m² with over 120 playable machines (up to 150 people); meeting room "Level Up" on the upper floor, and from 2026 an additional new conference room of 350 m². Enquiries: info@dutchpinballmuseum.com.

Plan your visit