Non-Video Arcade Pub Games

Pub and bar culture is centuries old, and many tavern keepers resent the intrusion of flashing screens and joysticks into the pub, though they recognize the amount of spare change a few gaming machines can leverage out of patrons. For pub owners not ready to go digital and install an arcade wing, there are still options available to provide entertainment for patrons and an additional revenue stream for the pub.

Billiards

Pool tables and pubs go hand in hand, and for decades bar operators have capitalized on that association by installing coin-operated billiards tables. While enticing patrons to shoot a game doesn't take much additional effort, billiards tables are so large as to require a significant amount of floor space. Long-term maintenance issues are also a factor, as the table's felt must be kept free of scratches and burrs.

Pinball

The flashing lights and chiming bells of a pinball machine have also long had a place in pub culture, and many bar owners continue to fill a lonely corner with a pinball machine. The games require little more than floor space and the electricity to run them, and are largely maintenance-free outside of minor electrical malfunctions. Because of the collectible aspect of pinball machines, many that remain in good condition retain much of their value for resale.

Air Hockey

A fast-paced game of skill, air hockey provides the intensity of arcade games in a less high-tech setting. Although an air hockey table requires the same floor space as a pool table, it can be fit into tighter corners because players don't need clearance for their sticks. The relatively simple operations of an air pump are simple to maintain, although drinks spilled on an air hockey table's surface may clog vents or make the top too sticky to be played upon until it's cleaned.

Foosball

Another quickly moving sports game, foosball attracts enthusiasts and amateurs alike. Coin-operated systems allow game lengths to be metered while supporting a cash flow, and foosball tables require little long-term maintenance.

Table Shuffleboard

Another game popular in American bars, table shuffleboard combines the skill of aiming and throwing sliders along a long runway with the strategy required for players to defend their position and attack their opponent's shuckles. While a shuffleboard table is a maintenance-free addition to a bar, it commands a hefty footprint: Most shuffleboard tables are 22 feet long, though they may be tailored shorter to fit smaller spaces without restricting the play and strategy of the game. Shuffleboard tables aren't able to be equipped with a coin-operated option, so players must rent shuckles from bar staff or the bar must provide them free of charge.