Courtesy of Kim Fong
You may have heard that Tin Lizzy’s Cantina shuttered in Grant Park, or that its Buckhead location is closed due to fire damage and may not reopen. But the local taco chain isn’t going anywhere—not if director of operations Jay Clarke can help it. In fact, Tin Pin Game Bar, an extension of the Tin Lizzy’s brand, is slated to open in early 2024 in East Cobb. Adjacent to Tin Lizzy’s at the Avenue, Tin Pin Game Bar will be a retro arcade with a focus on pinball. It’ll feature the Tin Lizzy’s menu of Tex-Mex fare “with some surprises,” Clarke says.
“East Cobb is a very family-oriented neighborhood—it seemed like the perfect place to try it,” says Tin Pin interior designer Kim Fong. “It has that flashback of celebrating Americana.”
Expect state-of-the-art LCD Stern pinball games including the Mandalorian, Godzilla, Foo Fighters, James Bond 007, Deadpool, and Guardians of the Galaxy, curated by Kevin Grillo, who also supplies games for My Parents Basement in Avondale Estates. “Pinball is more like video games now with LCD screens and advanced rules that take you through a whole adventure with a story and a theme,” he explains. There will be about 10 pinball games, plus six or seven old-school arcade games such as Donkey Kong. The cost to play has yet to be determined.
Fong describes the space as “retro meets futuristic” with vivid colors. “I wanted you to feel like you’re inside a pinball machine,” she says. There will be space age-style graphic wallpaper, light fixtures that look like pinball bumpers, LED lighting, and disco balls. The bar top will be under lit with the back screens of pinball machines. “The space captures good energy and feels cozy and comfortable,” Clarke adds.
Though seating is only available at the bar, patrons can snag a table at Tin Lizzy’s by heading through a connecting interior door and enjoy quesadillas, taco bowls, margaritas and more. Tin Pin will have a full bar, including some mocktails for children during the day. In the evening, entrance to Tin Pin will be limited to those ages 21 and up. It will be available to birthday parties, corporate outing, and private events, too.
Tin Pin is backed by Southern Proper Hospitality, a restaurant group that owns and operates Gypsy Kitchen, Ocean & Acre, Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails, Chido + Padre’s, and more.
