# PICTURES OF BROOKLYN'S ORIGINAL PINBALL SPEAKEASY... SUNSHINE LAUNDROMAT

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2022-02-14  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/pictures-of-brooklyn-s-original-pinball-speakeasy-sunshine-laundromat

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## Analysis

A retrospective article about Sunshine Laundromat, a hidden speakeasy-style pinball bar in Brooklyn featuring a curated collection of classic and modern pinball machines. The author visited in February 2020 pre-pandemic with family and documented the venue's extensive game library (40+ machines including many Limited Editions) and casual, beer-friendly atmosphere. The venue has since closed but rumors suggest plans for reopening.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Sunshine Laundromat has the most Limited Edition pinball machines in one location the author has seen — _Author's direct observation during February 2020 visit, noting 8+ specific LE titles present_
- [HIGH] Stranger Things code was shallow and callouts lacking at time of visit (February 2019) — _Author's direct gameplay assessment of Stern Stranger Things (Pro model)_
- [MEDIUM] Sunshine Laundromat is rumored to be working on reopening — _Author states 'Rumor has it that they're working on getting the location back open' but venue remains closed as of article publication date (unspecified but recent)_
- [MEDIUM] No Fear and Congo are underrated games — _Author's subjective assessment based on personal gameplay experience_
- [MEDIUM] Elvira's House of Horrors code was expected to improve significantly with designer Lyman's work — _Author predicts 'Lyman will make the code killer' based on early impressions_

### Notable Quotes

> "through a door that's disguised as a laundry machine in the back there's a speakeasy-like pinball bar. This place is so cool."
> — **Author (Knapp Arcade)**, February 2020
> _Describes the iconic hidden entrance design that makes Sunshine Laundromat unique and speakeasy-like_

> "Sunshine always has the newest and rarest games."
> — **Author**, February 2020
> _Establishes Sunshine's reputation as a curator of premium and hard-to-find machines_

> "It has the most LEs in one location that I've seen."
> — **Author**, February 2020
> _Quantifies Sunshine's status as an LE collector's destination venue_

> "Add beer on tap and a cool vibe to the great pins and Sunshine is a must visit pinball location."
> — **Author**, February 2020
> _Final assessment positioning Sunshine as essential destination for pinball enthusiasts_

> "Stranger Things was better than I expected. Yes the ball lock was turned off, yes the Demigorgon shot was impossible to hit the center of and yes the code was a little shallow and the call outs were lacking BUT I like the layout and I expect it to eventually become a pretty good game."
> — **Author**, February 2020
> _Detailed gameplay critique showing early Stranger Things had mechanical/design issues but layout potential_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Sunshine Laundromat | organization | Hidden speakeasy-style pinball bar in Brooklyn, NY; features 40+ pinball machines in back room behind disguised laundry machine door; specializes in rare and LE machines; currently closed but rumored to be reopening |
| Knapp Arcade | person | Author of the article; pinball enthusiast visiting venues and documenting experiences |
| Stern Stranger Things | game | Stern pinball machine (Pro model), released 2019; played at Sunshine in February 2020 with disabled ball lock, shallow code, and difficult Demigorgon shot |
| Stern Elvira's House of Horrors | game | Stern Limited Edition machine, released 2019; praised by author as fun with expectations for improved code under designer Lyman |
| Tron: Legacy | game | Stern Limited Edition machine (2011); specifically noted for impressive 3D translite and lit ramps at Sunshine location |
| Brooklyn | organization | Borough of New York City where Sunshine Laundromat is located; established pinball venue hub |
| Lyman | person | Pinball code designer; author expects his work on Elvira's House of Horrors code will significantly improve the game |
| No Fear: Dangerous Sports | game | Williams pinball machine (1995); played extensively at Sunshine; author considers it underrated |
| Congo | game | Williams pinball machine (1995); played extensively at Sunshine; author considers it underrated |
| Super Mario Bros. Mushroom World | game | Gottlieb pinball machine (1992); author played for first time at Sunshine |
| The Big Lebowski | game | Dutch pinball machine (2016); referred to as 'The Broken Lebowski' by author due to frequent non-functionality at Sunshine |
| Pinball Map | organization | Source for the comprehensive game list provided for Sunshine Laundromat inventory |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Venue operations and closures, Limited Edition pinball machines as collector items, Brooklyn pinball venue culture and speakeasy concept
- **Secondary:** Early Stern Stranger Things impressions and design criticism, Game code quality and designer impact
- **Mentioned:** Underrated games in collector venues

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.82) — Nostalgia-driven appreciation for pre-pandemic venue experiences and game collection quality; minor criticisms of specific machines (broken games, shallow code) are outweighed by enthusiasm for the venue's overall experience and curated selection

### Signals

- **[collector_signal]** Sunshine Laundromat specifically functions as LE pinball collector showcase with 8+ documented LE machines including Batman 66, Beatles Diamond, Deadpool, Jurassic Park, Metallica, AC/DC, LOTR, and others (confidence: high) — Comprehensive enumeration of LE titles and explicit statement about being highest LE concentration venue author has visited
- **[event_signal]** Sunshine Laundromat operating as significant social/community gathering space for pinball enthusiasts combining beer service, casual play, and rare game access (confidence: high) — Description of speakeasy atmosphere, family visit, beer on tap, and positioning as must-visit destination
- **[design_philosophy]** Stern Stranger Things criticized for shallow code, weak callouts, and difficult Demigorgon shot mechanic at launch despite positive layout assessment (confidence: high) — Detailed gameplay critique noting disabled ball lock, impossible center shot, shallow code, and lacking callouts but expressing hope layout will improve
- **[product_concern]** Multiple machines at Sunshine reported as non-functional or broken (The Big Lebowski, Supreme, Pirates of the Caribbean), suggesting maintenance challenges at busy location (confidence: medium) — Author notes 'All of the pins were in great shape and working well, other than The Broken Lebowski (which never works), Supreme and a Jersey Jack Pirates'
- **[venue_signal]** Sunshine Laundromat identified as iconic Brooklyn pinball destination with highest concentration of LE machines author has encountered; serves as flagship casual play location for enthusiasts (confidence: high) — Direct statement: 'It has the most LEs in one location that I've seen.' and 'must visit pinball location' designation

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## Transcript

Think back to a world in which no one had to worry about mysterious diseases...exactly two years ago today, February 2020. At the time, no one realized that the crappy virus that would disrupt our lives for the next two years was already secretly running wild in New York City. My two sons and I drove into Brooklyn, NY to meet up with my brother and his girlfriend. We had a glorious day of drinking beer (not my boys lol) and playing pinball in a hidden speakeasy in the back of a laundromat and following it up with eating Mexican food with our hands. Could you imagine doing that now? Hopefully we're slowly getting back to those days. Here's what I had to say about the iconic Sunshine Laundromat at the time. Rumor has it that they're working on getting the location back open, but as I type this the Sunshine speakeasy is still closed... FEBRUARY 2020: “No sleep ‘til BROOKLYN!” This afternoon my boys and I ventured into Brooklyn, NY to meet up with my brother and his girlfriend at the famous Sunshine Laundromat. Not only is it a legit laundromat, but through a door that’s disguised as a laundry machine in the back there’s a speakeasy-like pinball bar. This place is so cool. Sunshine always has the newest and rarest games. Today I got to play the new Stern Stranger Things for the first time. You know that a game is new if I put in my initials on my first try lol. They have the new Stern Elvira, heck here’s the awesome list of games, courtesy of Pinball Map:

AC/DC (LE) (Stern, 2012)
The Addams Family Gold (Bally, 1994)
Attack From Mars (Bally, 1995)
Batman 66 (LE) (Stern, 2016)
Beatles (Diamond LE) (Stern, 2018)
The Big Lebowski (Dutch, 2016)
Bram Stoker's Dracula (Williams, 1993)
Cactus Canyon (Bally, 1998)
Congo (Williams, 1995)
Creature from the Black Lagoon (Bally, 1992)
Deadpool (LE) (Stern, 2018)
Dialed In! (Jersey Jack, 2017)
Elvira's House of Horrors (LE) (Stern, 2019)
Funhouse (Williams, 1990)
Game of Thrones (Pro) (Stern, 2015)
Ghostbusters (LE) (Stern, 2016)
Guardians of the Galaxy (Pro) (Stern, 2017)
Judge Dredd (Bally, 1993)
Jurassic Park (LE) (Stern, 2019)
Lord of the Rings (LE) (Stern, 2009)
Medieval Madness (Williams, 1997)
Metallica (Master of Puppets - LE) (Stern, 2013)
Monster Bash (Williams, 1998)
NBA Fastbreak (Bally, 1997)
No Fear: Dangerous Sports (Williams, 1995)
Pirates of the Caribbean (LE) (Jersey Jack, 2018)
Scared Stiff (Bally, 1996)
SlugFest (Williams, 1991)
Stranger Things (Pro) (Stern, 2019)
Super Mario Bros. Mushroom World (Gottlieb, 1992)
Supreme (Stern, 2018)
TRON: Legacy (LE) (Stern, 2011)
Tales of the Arabian Nights (Williams, 1996)
Theatre of Magic (Bally, 1995)
Twilight Zone (Bally, 1993)
White Water (Williams, 1993)
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (LE) (Jersey Jack, 2019)
World Cup Soccer (Bally, 1994)

All of the pins were in great shape and working well, other than The Broken Lebowski (which never works), Supreme and a Jersey Jack Pirates. Three pretty cool games, but there was so much else to play that it didn’t matter. I got to play Super Mario Mushroom World for the first time. We played a ton of No Fear and Congo. Two super underrated games. We also loved the new Elvira. It’s already fun and I’m sure that Lyman will make the code killer. Stranger Things was better than I expected. Yes the ball lock was turned off, yes the Demigorgon shot was impossible to hit the center of and yes the code was a little shallow and the call outs were lacking BUT I like the layout and I expect it to eventually become a pretty good game. How awesome does that Tron LE look? The 3D translite and lit ramps are fire . In face, Sunshine has lots of Limited Edition pins, including Deadpool, Jurassic Park, Beatles Diamond, Lord of the Rings, Batman 66, Metallica, AC/DC, and in and on. It has the most LEs in one location that I’ve seen. Add beer on tap and a cool vibe to the great pins and Sunshine is a must visit pinball location.

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v3)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 120d9be9-ee88-4608-8804-89e942986ad9*