During my visit to the Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival for a screening of Pinball Donut Girl, I got to visit the newly opened Kickback PInball Cafe.

It’s in the Lawrenceville neighborhood in Pittsburgh, which seems like a pretty cool neighborhood, right by Arsenal Bowl.

The space is wonderful: giant murals with space girls and robots, including a light up floor mural that is like walking onto a playfield, tables that look like pop bumpers, and lots of games, including 3 customs!

Brian Holderman did all the art.  Brian is also the graphic artist on Wade Krause: Pinball Artist and designed the DVD artwork for PBDG/WK:PA.

Two of the cafe’s custom games I had seen before at the PAPA warehouse: Luther’s Vendetta (Brian Holderman) and Freak Out (Mike Budai).

I hadn’t seen Silver Bullet in person yet.  Super cool.  I even bought a tee-shirt with the backglass detail.

Lots of folks visted the cafe, hung out, played the games and had (good) coffee and food. I had a great salad. I know, I know! but I’m from California, ok? and I can’t help myself.  Plus I had to balance some huge meatball hoagies, etc.

So make your way to Pittsburgh and check out Kickback and Brian’s art — he has murals around town too. An arcade with more games is opening upstairs at Kickback soon.

And catch the Andy Warhol Museum while you are in town — it’s great. This was my second time and there was a ton new to see. Lurve that place.

PS:  Brian and I are talking about a limited run print of the DVD art for Wade Krause: Pinball Artist.  I’ll keep you posted about that project….