Nepean is set to become home to Canada's largest pinball arcade as Ottawa Pinball Arcade moves into the expansive basement previously occupied by the Brass Monkey rock club and pool hall. The new venue, named Experience Social, promises a family-friendly entertainment experience.
Mike Loftus, the 60-year-old owner of Ottawa Pinball Arcade and several related businesses, is spearheading the transformation. He envisions a space that captures the pre-pandemic social vibe, where people gather in person to play games rather than stare at their phones. "Before cellphones, people used to hang out in person and play games," Loftus explained. "We don't want to be a major bar; this will be an entertainment venue that happens to have a liquor license."
The new arcade will be located at 250 Greenbank Rd., in the Greenbank Hunt Club Centre, offering over 7,500 square feet of space and ample free parking. Loftus plans to install at least 60 pinball machines, surpassing Vancouver's VanCity arcade, which currently holds the title of Canada's largest with about 55 machines. In addition to pinball, the venue will feature pool tables, air hockey, foosball, big screens for sports viewing, and classic arcade video games.
Loftus's current arcade on Baseline Road is cramped with 30 pinball machines, often leading to standing-room-only crowds. "You couldn't squeeze one more of anything in there," he said. "On busy days, it's standing room only. We've definitely outgrown the location."
The pandemic fueled a resurgence in pinball popularity, as people sought home-based hobbies and invested in expensive machines. "It was like the rush on toilet paper," Loftus joked, "except these are $10,000 machines." Despite temporary closures, his online store thrived, and his business empire now includes Pinball Medic for repairs and the Pinball Museum near Alfred.
Experience Social aims to cater to a diverse clientele, including high school students from the area. Loftus noticed students lingering near local eateries like Cosmos and Subway with nowhere to go afterward. "We want it to be a place where you bring your kids, your grandparents and everybody feels cool," he said. "It's going to have a little bit of everything for everyone." Instead of installing a kitchen, patrons will be welcome to bring food from nearby restaurants or from home.
