# TILT **Source:** Pinball News Website **Type:** article **Published:** 2016-01-08 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2016/01/08/tilt --- ## Analysis Pinball News reviews Tilt, a new barcade in Birmingham city centre that combines a coffee shop, craft beer bar, and pinball arcade. The venue features seven pinball machines maintained by Pinball Heaven, with Game of Thrones, Kiss, AC/DC, and The Avengers among the Pro titles available. Owners Kirk Sadler and Richard Kimberley plan expansion to a downstairs area and have launched a monthly pinball league. ### Key Claims - [MEDIUM] Barcades have been slow to spread to the UK despite their popularity in US metropolitan areas — _Editorial observation in article introduction; reflects market perception rather than hard data_ - [HIGH] The Addams Family (24 years old at time of writing, circa 1992 release) is the biggest earner at Tilt despite newer machines in rotation — _Direct observation by venue reviewer; specific claim about revenue patterns at this location_ - [MEDIUM] Standard UK pinball pricing is £1 per game or 3 games for £2 — _Reviewer describes Tilt's pricing as 'standard in the UK' based on observation; reflects market conventions_ - [HIGH] The Hobbit will be added to Tilt's lineup when it arrives in the UK — _Direct statement from Phil Palmer (Pinball Heaven owner) quoted in article_ - [HIGH] Tilt opened two months before the January 2016 article publication date — _Explicit statement: 'Since it opened two months ago, Tilt has continued the trend'_ ### Notable Quotes > "It's not some seedy dimly-lit backstreet pinball dive bar. It's unashamedly bright, modern, airy and clean, selling quality crafted drinks at premium prices, right in the city centre." > — **Pinball News reviewer (anonymous)**, closing section > _Summarizes the positioning of Tilt as a mainstream, upscale venue rather than a niche hangout; reflects broader industry movement toward legitimacy_ > "It's just the kind of place pinball needs to be, and to be seen." > — **Pinball News reviewer (anonymous)**, final paragraph > _Endorsement of the barcade concept as aligned with pinball's mainstream revival strategy_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Tilt | organization | New barcade venue in Birmingham city centre (2 City Arcade, B3 3AG); combines coffee shop, craft beer bar, and pinball arcade; opened November 2015 (~2 months before article); operates 7:30am-11pm weekdays, 9am-midnight weekends | | Kirk Sadler | person | Co-owner of Tilt Birmingham | | Richard Kimberley | person | Co-owner of Tilt Birmingham; described as working at high speed on expansion plans | | Phil Palmer | person | Owner of Pinball Heaven; supplies most pinball machines to Tilt; plans to use Tilt to showcase newest games from Stern and Jersey Jack | | Pinball Heaven | organization | UK pinball machine distributor/operator; supplies machines to Tilt; owner Phil Palmer; positioned as showcase for new Stern and Jersey Jack releases | | Game of Thrones | game | Stern pinball machine (Pro version) available at Tilt | | Kiss | game | Stern pinball machine (Pro version) available at Tilt | | AC/DC | game | Stern pinball machine (Pro version) available at Tilt | | The Avengers | game | Stern pinball machine (Pro version) available at Tilt | | The Addams Family | game | Classic pinball machine (~24 years old at time of writing, circa 1992 release); top revenue earner at Tilt despite newer machines in rotation | | Judge Dredd | game | Pinball machine available at Tilt | | Batman | game | Pinball machine available at Tilt | | The Hobbit | game | Upcoming Stern pinball machine planned for Tilt; expected arrival in UK confirmed by Phil Palmer | | Stern Pinball | company | Pinball manufacturer; newest games to be showcased at Tilt via Pinball Heaven partnership | | Jersey Jack Pinball | company | Boutique pinball manufacturer; newest games to be showcased at Tilt via Pinball Heaven partnership | | BrewDog | organization | UK craft beer bar chain with pinball installations; mentioned as precedent for barcade concept in UK | | Chief Coffee | organization | London venue blending craft coffee and specialist teas with pinball; mentioned as precedent for coffee-pinball hybrid concept in UK | | City Arcade | organization | Historic arcade building in Birmingham city centre housing Tilt; tastefully restored Victorian structure on Union Street | | Birmingham | organization | UK city location of Tilt; city centre venue representing UK barcade growth | ### Topics - **Primary:** Barcade expansion in UK, Pinball venue operations and game rotation, Pinball arcade design and customer experience - **Secondary:** Stern and Jersey Jack game distribution in UK, Revenue patterns and game popularity in commercial locations, Pinball mainstream legitimacy and market positioning ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.85) — Reviewer is highly enthusiastic about Tilt's concept, execution, and positioning. Praises venue design, drink quality, and atmosphere. Endorses barcade model as beneficial to pinball's mainstream revival. Only mild concern raised about revenue dependency on classic machines rather than new releases. ### Signals - **[business_signal]** Pinball Heaven actively using Tilt as showcase for new Stern and Jersey Jack releases; strategic partnership positioning venue as early-access location for new machines in UK market (confidence: high) — Phil Palmer explanation: 'how he plans to use Tilt to showcase the newest games from Stern and Jersey Jack. Game of Thrones and Kiss are here now, and when The Hobbit arrives in the UK it will be joining them' - **[community_signal]** UK barcade trend emerging with multiple venues (BrewDog, Chief Coffee, Tilt) combining pinball with beverage service; reflects market adaptation of US barcade model to UK context (confidence: medium) — Article framing: 'Barcades – the crossover between arcade games and craft beers – have been slow to spread to the UK' followed by examples of venue hybrids - **[event_signal]** Tilt launches monthly pinball league and 'Meet the Brewer' event in February; represents community event programming at new UK venue (confidence: high) — Direct statement: 'A monthly pinball league begins later this month with a Meet the Brewer even in February' - **[market_signal]** Classic Addams Family (1992) generating more revenue than modern Pro-tier machines; suggests continued customer preference for established titles or possible adjustment period for newer games in location play (confidence: high) — Direct observation: 'with all the new machines in the line-up, the biggest earner is the 24-year-old game, The Addams Family' --- ## Transcript **Date:** January 2016 **Location:** 2 City Arcade, Birmingham, B3 3AG, UK **While their popularity in metropolitan areas in the US is undoubted, Barcades – the crossover between arcade games and craft beers – have been slow to spread to the UK.** The [Brewdog](https://www.brewdog.com/) chain of craft beer bars has something of a liking for pinball, as we shall see in an upcoming review, while [Chief Coffee](https://www.pinballnews.com/sites/chief/index.html) in London has gone down a different path by blending craft coffee and specialist teas with pinball. Now a new location in Birmingham city centre has combined all these concepts into a coffee & tea shop/craft beer bar/pinball arcade called [Tilt](https://www.facebook.com/tiltbrum/). Being a big fan of all four, we had to pay them a visit. Knowing there might beer sampling involved, we left the car behind and took the train to Birmingham’s New Street Station. A couple of minutes later and we were walking between the bustling shoppers of New Street, which is where we saw the first clue to our destination. [![A Tilt sign on New Street](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/15.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/15.jpg) A Tilt sign on New Street Turning left, we walked up Union Street until we came to Birmingham’s tastefully-restored City Arcade building, which is home to Tilt. [![City Arcade, Birmingham](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/1.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/1.jpg) City Arcade, Birmingham [![The Tilt front window](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/3.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/3.jpg) The Tilt front window Tilt opens at 7:30am to serve coffee to the workers in nearby offices and shops in the city centre. We weren’t that keen on an early start and got to Tilt at around 1:30pm on a Wednesday afternoon to meet with the owners, Kirk Sadler and Richard Kimberley. The wedge-shaped interior is split into two areas. The pointy end contains the coffee shop and bar, while the broader part is home to the pinballs. [![The seven pinballs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/4.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/4.jpg) The seven pinballs Most of the pinballs are provided by [Pinball Heaven](https://www.pinball.co.uk/) and we were joined at Tilt by its owner Phil Palmer, who explained how he plans to use Tilt to showcase the newest games from Stern and Jersey Jack. *Game of Thrones* and *Kiss* are here now, and when *The Hobbit* arrives in the UK it will be joining them in the line-up. During our visit, these were the titles available to play: | | | | --- | --- | | * Judge Dredd * The Addams Family * Game of Thrones (Pro) * AC/DC (Pro) | * Kiss (Pro) * The Avengers (Pro) * Batman | The games were all in great condition and priced at what seems to be the standard in the UK: £1 ($1.50/€1.40) per game, or 3 games for £2. [![Game pricing](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/5.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/5.jpg) Game pricing What was interesting, and perhaps slightly worrying, is that with all the new machines in the line-up, the biggest earner is the 24-year-old game, *The Addams Family*. There is seating in the pinball area, but most is found in the bar area which is around the corner and well insulated from the noise of flippers flipping. [![The bar area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/6.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/6.jpg) The bar area The selection and quality of the tea blends and coffee beans is a prominent feature at Tilt. Teas such as *Jade Tips*, *Canton Chocolate Tea* and *Organic Dragon Charles Wolf* sit alongside the more standard *English Breakfast* and *Earl Grey* on the menu. [![Ten different teas on the menu along with some Lemon Bundt cake](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/13.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/13.jpg) Ten different teas on the menu along with some Lemon Bundt cake A changing selection of different coffees styles is available too. [![Two different coffees in the grinders](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/8.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/8.jpg) Two different coffees in the grinders [![The espresso machine](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/9.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/9.jpg) The espresso machine The tables and seats are designed with nostalgia in mind, both intended to be trendily reminiscent of school chemistry labs. Accordingly, the milk is served in a miniature Erlenmeyer flask and the sugar in a tiny glass beaker. [![School-style tables with pinball and coffee wall decorations](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/16.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/16.jpg) School-style tables and seats, with pinball and coffee wall decorations Tilt features eight craft beers, details of which are posted on the wall opposite the bar. [![The eight beers available](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/11.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/11.jpg) The eight beers available Details of the style, the brewery, the strength and some tasting notes are shown, along with the prices which are in keeping with the boutique, craft nature of the beers. [![Details of four of the beers](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/12.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/12.jpg) Details of four of the beers There’s a broad mix of styles, from golden ale through IPAs and dark lager to fruit beer and chocolate stout. [![The eight beer taps](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/10.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/10.jpg) The eight beer taps in the window There is also a big selection of bottled beers on the menu, along with a few wines and spirits. [![More drinks available](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/7.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/7.jpg) More drinks available When we first arrived and took our pictures there were few customers at Tilt, but it gradually got busier as the day progressed, with more people arriving to play the pinballs. [![The seven pinballs at Tilt](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/17.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/17.jpg) The seven pinballs at Tilt The owners have big plans for tilt. A [monthly pinball league](https://www.facebook.com/WorldCupRevisitedPinballTournament/) begins later this month with a ‘Meet the Brewer’ even in February, while, along with the pinball and bar areas we have already shown you, there is the potential to expand utilising the unused space on the floor below. [![And that's not all](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/14.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/14.jpg) And that’s not all There is another set of rooms downstairs, and while some of those are reserved for the unisex toilets and for some extra tables and seating, there is plenty of space to install a second bar and a bunch more games. At the speed Richard and Kirk work, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they had already rewired everything, redecorated, installed games and opened the new downstairs area by the time you read this. [![Tilt in the City Arcade](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/2.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/tilt-birmingham/2.jpg) Tilt in the City Arcade Since it opened two months ago, Tilt has continued the trend of not only making pinball mainstream again, but making it legitimate too. It’s not some seedy dimly-lit backstreet pinball dive bar. It’s unashamedly bright, modern, airy and clean, selling quality crafted drinks at premium prices, right in the city centre. It’s just the kind of place pinball needs to be, and to be seen. [Tilt](https://twitter.com/Tilt_Brum) is open seven days a week, from 7:30am during the week, 9am on Saturday and 11am on Sunday. It closes at 11pm except on Friday and Saturday when it’s midnight. _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v3)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 814f91c8-3c7d-4643-a322-6c2e93853a29*