When most people think of laundromats, they think of washers and dryers and being bored while waiting for their clothes to dry. But not this laundromat - get ready for a laundry revolution! At this laundromat there are games to play, a museum to walk through, and even drinks visitors can purchase while they’re waiting. This laundromat is much more than just a laundromat.
Where The Laundromat Is Located
Sunshine Laundromat is located in Brooklyn, New York City on Manhattan Avenue. When visitors are walking down the street, they wouldn’t be able to tell what lies within the laundromat that looks like any normal storefront. But once visitors step into the laundromat and through the speakeasy door in the back, a whole new world is revealed. Suddenly there are pinball machines everywhere and a bar to sit at, along with a whole night of fun ahead of visitors.
What To Expect When Visiting Sunshine Laundromat
When visitors walk in the doors of the laundromat, they don’t see anything resembling an arcade. They just see a bunch of washers and dryers, which is great if they also need to get laundry done. But one stack of washers looks just a bit different from the rest, and that is because it is actually a door leading to a secret back room. At a certain time, the door is unlocked to reveal a whole new world.
Visitors walk through the secret door into an arcade filled with around 25 pinball machines and a bar that serves both traditional and craft local beers. The pinball machines are a mix of modern and classic games, all in mint condition from the owner's personal collection of pinball machines. Luckily, the room is fairly soundproofed so if visitors are doing laundry, they won’t be able to hear what is going on in the back room.
Time And Cost
While the bar and arcade are open at different hours than the laundromat, they do have some overlapping hours that make it easy for visitors to get both clothes and playtime out of the way at the same time.
- Bar/Arcade Hours: Mon.-Thurs: 4pm-2am, Fri: 4pm-4am, Sat: 12pm-4am, Sun: 12pm-2am
- Laundromat Hours: Mon-Thurs: 7am-2am, Fri-Sat: 7am-4am, Sun: 8am-2am
- Cost: $1 per game play
While the cost of the washers and dryers was not seen on the website, the cost of all the different beers is, along with their menu of the beers. Visitors should prepare to spend more than just one dollar here, as there are many pinball games to try and if visitors enjoy an excellent locally brewed beer, that is also an option for spending money on. The atmosphere is perfect to go solo and enjoy the crowd or get some friends together for a fun night of gaming together in an arcade.
History Of Sunshine Laundromat
Back in the 1940s, there was the abolition of slot machines because they were considered gambling. Eventually, pinball machines were also swallowed up in this abolition because they were considered games of luck, and therefore could be used for gambling. The mayor at the time was trying to get back at the mafia and from that, pinball was gone from the streets of New York.
This led to raids of bars and cafes, along with the very public destruction of pinball machines. Some were even destroyed and thrown in the Hudson River. This went on till 1976 when Roger Sharpe showed a court that with modern technology - including flippers - pinball was a game of skill and not one of chance.
Peter Rose was the mastermind behind Sunshine Laundromat. He owned over 200 machines and regards the machines at the laundromat as the best in his collection. After more tables were added to his backroom, he decided to put a bar back there. Sunshine Laundromat is now the only laundromat that can legally serve alcohol in New York City.
Pinball Machines In The Arcade
While the owner has over 200 pinball machines in his personal collection, there is no way that he could fit that many into the back room of a laundromat. So he chose about 25 machines, both classic games, and more modern ones, to be on the floor of the arcade. Some of these machines include:
- AC/DC Back In Black
- Attack From Mars
- Iron Maiden
- Ghostbusters
- Twilight Zone
Young or old, anyone can come to enjoy this arcade. There is a game for anyone and no such thing as an age limit for fun. With all of the pinball machines being in mint condition, they are perfect for anyone reminiscing about the good old days with their friends or kids wanting to make new memories.
For visitors who want a late-night activity or just a fun trip to play pinball, this is the spot to go. Through the speakeasy door and into a world full of fun pinball machines and a bar that is ready to introduce visitors to the local brews. The Sunshine Laundromat is a must-see for anyone in New York City. Safe travels!