# FLEX

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2016-08-01  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2016/08/01/flex

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## Analysis

A profile of Flex, a bar and music club in Munich, Germany that has operated for over 20 years and features pinball machines alongside other games. The venue recently increased its pinball offerings from two machines (Elvis, Ripleys) to three (Addams Family, Roadshow, Metallica Pro) under new management/operation. Flex hosts an annual mid-summer tournament and attracts a diverse clientele.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Flex has been a bar and music club for more than twenty years in Munich's Civic Centre — _Opening statement: 'founded more than twenty years ago in the Civic Centre of Munich'_
- [HIGH] The pinball machines (Elvis and Ripleys) were in poor condition before current operators took over — _Article states: 'A few years ago the pinball machines (*Elvis* and *Ripleys*) were in very poor condition, so via a friend we contacted the owner and took over the pinball operation.'_
- [HIGH] Flex recently increased from two to three pinball machines (Addams Family, Roadshow, Metallica Pro) — _'A few weeks ago the number of games was increased to three, as can be seen in the pictures of an *Addams Family*, a *Roadshow* and an almost new *Metallica* Pro.'_
- [MEDIUM] Flex is the only commercial location in the Munich area with more than one pinball machine — _'As far as I know it is the only commercial location in Munich area where more than one pinball machine is operated.'_
- [HIGH] An annual small tournament is organized at Flex, typically around mid-summer — _'A small tournament is organised here once a year, typically around mid-summer.'_

### Notable Quotes

> "But this is also the special charm of it, and it attracts visitors of all ages and from all social classes."
> — **Article author**
> _Describes Flex's appeal and diverse customer base despite worn appearance_

> "As far as I know it is the only commercial location in Munich area where more than one pinball machine is operated."
> — **Article author**
> _Notable claim about Flex's unique position in local market_

> "I still remember a famous match on my 52nd birthday where Zac Sharpe and my friend Klaus battled to be the evening's champion – each of them winning a game."
> — **Article author**
> _Personal anecdote demonstrating venue's significance in local pinball community_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Flex | organization | Bar and music club in Munich, Germany; operates pinball machines |
| Olaf | person | Owner of Flex bar |
| Zac Sharpe | person | Competitive pinball player who participated in a match at Flex |
| Klaus | person | Friend of article author; played competitive pinball match against Zac Sharpe at Flex |
| Addams Family | game | Pinball machine at Flex |
| Roadshow | game | Pinball machine at Flex |
| Metallica | game | Pinball machine (Pro model) at Flex; described as 'almost new' |
| Elvis | game | Vintage pinball machine previously at Flex; was in poor condition before current operation |
| Ripleys | game | Vintage pinball machine previously at Flex; was in poor condition before current operation |
| Munich | organization | City in Germany where Flex is located |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Commercial pinball venue operations, Pinball machine maintenance and restoration
- **Secondary:** Pinball tournament scene, Vintage vs. modern pinball machines, Bar and arcade venue design

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.85) — Article is enthusiastic and appreciative of Flex's unique charm, character, and role in the local pinball community. Author speaks fondly of the venue and its management.

### Signals

- **[business_signal]** Previous pinball machines at Flex (Elvis, Ripleys) deteriorated to poor condition before new operation took over, suggesting challenges in machine maintenance at commercial locations (confidence: high) — Article notes machines were 'in very poor condition' before current operators took over and began 'frequent checks and cleans'
- **[market_signal]** Flex represents a rare commercial pinball operation in Munich with three machines; claimed to be only such multi-machine location in area (confidence: high) — Article states Flex is 'the only commercial location in Munich area where more than one pinball machine is operated'

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## Transcript

Date:
July 2016

Location:
Flex, Ringseisstraße 11A, 80337 Munich, Germany

Flex is a bar and music club founded more than twenty years ago in the Civic Centre of Munich.

![The Flex](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/flex/1.jpg)

Flex

It is located in the basement of an apartment block in a street with mostly residential properties, approximately a ten-minute walk from the Thersienwiese where the Octoberfest takes place every year.

Flex is very special compared to other bars. It has a rather worn-out furniture, stickers and inscriptions everywhere, and some parts of the installation look really rubbish.

![Inside Flex](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/flex/2.jpg)

Inside Flex

But this is also the special charm of it, and it attracts visitors of all ages and from all social classes. You can see students celebrating their birthdays, as well as a businessman coming to drink a beer and play some pinball, pool or foosball, or a local guy living next door just drinking his evening beer.

![The bar at Flex](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/flex/4.jpg)

The bar at Flex

The prices are quite reasonable compared to other Munich pubs. The music is often a bit louder than in other bars and some days the tracks are chosen by a DJ sitting at the mixing desk.

The Bar owner is named Olaf and he’s a very nice guy. The same applies to his whole crew which does a great job.

Since its opening in the mid ’90s, Flex has had space for arcade games and traditionally hosted two pinball machines besides darts, pool and three foosball tables.

![Games at Flex](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/flex/3.jpg)

Games at Flex

A few years ago the pinball machines (Elvis and Ripleys) were in very poor condition, so via a friend we contacted the owner and took over the pinball operation. Since then we have tried to keep the games at Flex in very good shape, doing frequent checks and cleans.

![The Addams Family, Roadshow and Metallica](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/flex/6.jpg)

The Addams Family, Roadshow and Metallica

A few weeks ago the number of games was increased to three, as can be seen in the pictures of an Addams Family, a Roadshow and an almost new Metallica Pro.

As far as I know it is the only commercial location in Munich area where more than one pinball machine is operated.

![Foosball and pinball tables](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/flex/7.jpg)

Foosball and pinball tables

I still remember a famous match on my 52nd birthday where Zac Sharpe and my friend Klaus battled to be the evening’s champion – each of them winning a game.

A small tournament is organised here once a year, typically around mid-summer. So if you happen to be staying in Munich for a business trip, vacation or Octoberfest, stop by and play some games while drinking an Augustiner beer at Flex.

![Inside Flex](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/flex/5.jpg)

Inside Flex

(PS. Flex is a famous maker of angle-grinders and THE name used for these tools in Germany.)

You can get more details of Flex on their website or Facebook page.

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: a86a379a-118e-4297-bb3d-4ab6a8c9ee7a*