Going Silver Balls to the Wall

Heya, folks. 👋 I do apologize for not posting many events lately. This year has been... a lot. My family has been dealing with a pretty serious financial crisis, two of my pets died, my father was hospitalized, my mother was diagnosed with cancer, two potentially lucrative career moves slipped through my fingers, I experienced the end of a three-year-long relationship, and I got COVID. Honestly, it's been a little rough. More than once I've found myself staring up at the inky blackness between the stars, searching desperately for some sign of meaning amid the chaos, beseeching the infinite cosmos itself for answers as I whisper, "Why do I have this weird craving for deep fried Uncrustables?"

One upside to 2025 is the number of new destinations that have appeared across Vancouver's nightlife landscape. The most recent is Silver Ball Social Club, a fresh n' funky barcade specializing in pinball. In addition to three dozen different games (all available for unlimited play for just $12), the place offers a wildly creative menu—including the aforementioned deep fried Uncrustables—and space to mingle in a setting that seamlessly blends sleek modernity and old-school retro panache. The word "groovy" sees mostly ironic use these days, but I think it fits this joint to a T.

Having been cooped up for most of the summer, I'm excited to feel the sun on my face and then immediately retreat back indoors where there's A/C and alcohol. Hope you'll all be able to join me! I look forward to raising a Ms. Pac-Man to our group's glory days, as well as all the fun we're still yet to have.