NEWBERG, Ore. – David Bartlett, a Newberg native, has brought his lifelong passion for pinball and arcade games back to his hometown with the opening of Arcade Club PDX. The establishment, first opened in Tigard which closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, features a collection of games amassed over 20 years, aims to provide a nostalgic yet engaging experience for all ages.
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“I’ve been collecting for over 20 years,” Bartlett said during Arcade Club PDX’s soft opening on Friday, July 26. “This is a personal collection. I probably have around 100 games in total, but only about 20 are in the arcade right now.”
Bartlett’s journey into the world of arcade games began at a young age. He would tag along with his older brothers to arcades like Wunderland and try to pick up skills and techniques as he grew up.
“I started playing pinball when I was about six. I wasn’t very good at first, but I watched older kids and kept playing,” he said.
Located in a small Quonset hut behind Old Town Bar & Grill on N Blaine Street, Arcade Club PDX is a hobby project for Bartlett, who also runs Northwest Implement, a vineyard equipment business.
“It’s a hobby for me,” he said. “My other job actually pays for this. I love arcades and the arcade games and want to share them—to provide another space for people to hang out and play these games.”
The arcade currently offers a small selection of Bartlett’s extensive collection. Most of the games are from the 1980s-era of arcade gaming. He hinted at future expansion with more arcade games in a room in the back of the building.
“We’re planning to add more games as we go,” he said. “It all depends on how it goes and how busy we are.”
Bartlett said that the arcade is purely for gaming, with no plans to introduce food due to space and building constraints. However, he’s working on stocking some beverages including soft drinks, beer, and wine in the future.
For now, Arcade Club PDX charges a $5 entry fee for all-day play with many games not requiring quarters (also known as free play). Some of the games, like pinball, will require quarters to play. Bartlett encourages gamers to bring in quarters, but he can also provide quarters from cash at the register.
Bartlett’s goal is to create an entertainment option for the community to play games, connect with friends, and have a place for kids and adults alike to enjoy some affordable entertainment.
“It’s not about the money for me,” he said. “I just want to get kids and families back into the joy of arcade games.”
Arcade Club PDX is located at 109 N. Blaine St. in Newberg and is open four days a week: Thursday from 5-9 p.m., Friday from 6-10 p.m., Saturday from 2-10 p.m., and Sunday from 1-6 p.m. The arcade is closed Monday through Wednesday.
For more information and updates, follow Arcade Club PDX on Facebook.
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