Collector Opens Arcade-Themed Airbnb in Brigantine

A pinball collector has turned his love for arcade games and pinball machines into a “Pinball Palace” in an Airbnb rental on Brigantine Boulevard in Atlantic County, New Jersey.

Ken Schaffer's “Pinball Palace” features classic arcade games such as the 1976 “Captain Fantastic” pinball machine by Bally, the 1962 “World Series” pinball machine by Williams and the 1977 “Eight Ball” pinball machine by Bally.

The rental home is near the beach. Its living spaces can accommodate a maximum of nine guests with its three bedrooms, six beds and 2 ½ bathrooms. The house features an arcade lounge room with pinball and other games and a large television with cable and a queen sleeper sofa. Besides the pool table, the pool table room bears a 1950s-era jukebox, a full-size Ms. Pac Man and the “Captain Fantastic” machine.

While the home has been available for short-term vacation rentals, the decision to use Schaffer's arcade games and pinball machines was proposed by Krista Baum, the house manager and owner of KB Luxury Home Hosting.

“He has been a pinball machine collector for years. We are able to rotate the machines to always keep it fresh,” said Baum, who said the property started to rent as the “Pinball Palace” in February. 

“There is so much to do. It's perfect for a rainy day. It's multigenerational. There is a jukebox, a pool table and kayaks. Everybody is off their phones,” she told The Press of Atlantic City. 

Schaffer opened Cape Square Arcade in 2023 inside the Cape Square Entertainment movie complex in Rio Grande. He purchased a Beatles pinball machine by the Stern company that is at the Cape Square Arcade, which will be rotated to the “Pinball Palace” this fall, he added.