Free Gold Watch
The Verdict
"15 to 25 pinball machines in the back of a screen printing studio, 50 cents a game. On Waller Street one block south of Haight. Cash only for the machines. A genuine local hangout, not a tourist attraction."
What you need to know
A Screen Printing Shop with a Pinball Problem
Free Gold Watch is a screen printing studio on Waller Street, one block south of the Upper Haight, that also happens to house one of San Francisco’s largest pinball collections. The front room is packed with pinball machines, somewhere between 15 and 25 depending on the rotation, while the back room runs a full commercial screen printing operation. The combination makes no obvious sense, which is part of the appeal.
What Makes It Worth It
The pinball selection is better than most dedicated arcades. Machines range from classic 1970s electromechanical tables to modern Stern releases, and they’re all well-maintained. Games cost 50 cents to a dollar per play. The atmosphere is casual. No flashing neon or token systems, just a room full of pinball machines in a converted storefront.
The screen printing side is legitimate. Free Gold Watch prints for local bands, businesses, and artists, and you can often watch the press running while you play. They also sell their own printed goods: posters, shirts, and other merch.
The location is perfect for a Haight-Ashbury afternoon. Play pinball for half an hour, walk a block north to Haight Street for food and record shopping, then continue to Golden Gate Park.
Skip this if you don’t like pinball. The screen printing is interesting but not a standalone draw.
Visiting
Address: 1767 Waller St, San Francisco
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury
Cost: Free to enter. Games are $0.50-$1.00 per play (quarters and dollar coins).
Hours: Generally noon-8pm. Hours can vary, so check Instagram or call ahead.
Best time to go: Weekday afternoons when the machines are available. Weekends get busier.
What to know: Bring quarters. The shop is small and can feel crowded with more than 10 people. The entrance is unassuming, so look for the signage on Waller Street.
Getting There
Transit: Muni N-Judah to Cole & Carl, then walk 5 minutes south. Bus 6-Haight/Parnassus or 7-Haight/Noriega runs along Haight Street one block north.
Parking: Free residential street parking on Waller and surrounding blocks. Easier to find than Haight Street parking.
Walking: One block south of the Upper Haight commercial strip. Combine with Amoeba Records, Buena Vista Park, or Golden Gate Park’s Panhandle.
📍 Location: This activity is in Haight Ashbury. Explore the neighborhood →
