Friday, April 01, 2016

Vük pinball arcade taking over Pizza Pass space in Bethesda (Photos)

Pinball machines and sound equipment are being loaded into the vacant Pizza Pass building at 4924 St. Elmo Avenue in Bethesda. What's moving in is a pop-up pinball arcade called Vük, a new venture by Scott Nash.

MOM's Organic Market CEO and Founder Scott Nash lives in Chevy Chase, and is known to be a pinball aficionado. MOM's started right here in Montgomery County.

As of last night, one AC/DC pinball machine was in place. This could be a return to the 1980s when Bethesda had a variety of options for arcade game players, including an arcade on Wisconsin Avenue, Farrell's and Bowl America on Westbard Avenue, and the arcade at Montgomery Mall.

AC/DC pinball
machine
 

21 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:28 AM

    That block seems a little bit isolated for restaurants these days, especially since Hard Times closed last year. If I were Guardado's, I would be a little nervous right now.

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  2. Anonymous5:38 AM

    You're thinking of the wrong block. This is the location next to the Bainbridge, across from Tapp'd (Union Jacks)

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  3. Anonymous6:00 AM

    I am not sure pinball machines really suit the style of Bethesdians. At least it isn't on Bethesda Row. My only concern is that it will attract greasers.

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    1. Greasers?!
      I'm happy it's not on Bethesda row either - pinball is too fun a game to locate it on Bethesda Row.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous6:01 AM

    D'oh! It's so hard to remember which of these moribund pizza places is which.

    That said, I am still concerned about that block of Del Ray Avenue.

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  5. Anonymous6:02 AM

    A large "TILT" sign would be nice in that little alleyway next to Bainbridge.

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  6. Anonymous7:48 AM

    @6:00 - I agree. I think pinball machines are one of those things that most people don't have a problem with, but won't actively seek them out. It's the same with Soup Up - besides the bad location, most people probably like soup but don't get a hankering to go out for it. Pinball machines = non-offensive; established pinball location = big flop.

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  7. My son and I love pinball. I used to take him to the pinball museum which closed and also the Montgomery Mall arcade which also closed. No more pinball machines at Chuck E Cheese either. We live down the street and we will visit often. Pinball is a great game and many people would love to play.

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  8. Anonymous10:08 AM

    We miss Farrell's too.
    Also, if someone could put in a roller rink again life would be good.

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  9. Anonymous10:11 AM

    @10:07 Yes, greasers. Do you really want people like The Fonz coming to Bethesda? Surely you won't attempt to convince us that he didn't have an affinity for pinball machines.

    The last thing we need is greasers coming here looking to romance local high school students.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:50 AM

      Yeah yeah, omg, the impending horror!!

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    2. Anonymous11:02 AM

      Lock up your pinball playing teen daughters now!! I hear Ziggy's coming too.

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  10. I think 'greasers' was a typo. He meant "geezers." :-)

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  11. Pinball is great no doubt and I used to frequent the arcades in Bethesda in the 1980's but this isn't the 1980's. Way too expensive and the wrong concept for this spot. Actually, if they made it a great burger and sandwich place with great wings and micro brew, etc, it could be fun. I don't know, it just doesn't sound like the greatest new addition to any block not to mention St. Elmo.

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  12. Anonymous11:00 AM

    There used to be an arcade around the corner on Old Georgetown Road, where the two nail salons are now. I remember it had pretty crappy games and and owner would sit in the back and chain-smoke, but it was the only place I could reach easily by bicycle. Video Explosion or something like that?

    Anyway, I think this place should become a bar. I've seen places like this in other cities, where they have old-school arcade games and the younger crowd gets a kick out of them. It's something to draw people to your bar vs the others that are around. Will this become a bar later in the evening? Will the games be free to play?

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  13. Anonymous11:01 AM

    How many burger, sandwich, beer, wing places in one square mile do you need exactly?

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  14. Anonymous11:19 AM

    He might be on to something. (Aside from just creating something he likes)
    There's been a boon in pinball culture. Machines have begun popping up in arcades, bars and even homes. Something about the 20 year-olds finding it new and fun.
    I love pinball. I'll go.

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  15. Anonymous12:21 PM

    That should read "boom." Sorry. Touch pad? Fat fingers? Friday? Pick the reason.

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  16. Anonymous3:17 PM

    They better get Crazy Climber, Paper Boy and Donkey Kong.

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  17. Anonymous7:57 PM

    Glad this does not seem to be an April Fools prank after all. With the closure of the National Pinball Museum some years ago, this could fill a nice niche.

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  18. Anonymous6:30 PM

    VUK opens friday, come support local business!

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