The Pinball Museum in Kraków is an unusual venue — set in a 15th-century cellar near Wawel, its roughly 300 m² houses dozens of pinball machines and classic arcade cabinets. It’s a space where it’s easy to break the ice: playing pinball together engages people, creates laughs, and doesn’t require special skills. For many it’s a sentimental trip back to youth; for others — a discovery of a fun, slightly crazy form of team bonding. Tickets often include unlimited play within a chosen package, which makes group budgeting simple.
Keep New Year’s Eve in mind: some attractions may change opening hours that day, so it’s worth planning your visit earlier in the day or confirming the chosen slot ahead of time. The museum is a great setting for a short tournament, a series of mini-competitions and symbolic prizes — all in a relaxed, informal atmosphere that encourages team bonding.
The oldest machine in the collection dates back to 1936, and part of the exhibition takes place in a historic cellar — the mix of retro technology and Kraków’s historic atmosphere provides a unique backdrop for a corporate event.
The museum also offers drinks at the bar, so it’s easy to combine playing with a short break for something warm or refreshing.
13:00–13:15 - Arrival and welcome: the group leader checks attendance, hands out wristbands/vouchers and briefly presents the day’s plan.
13:15–13:30 - Introduction: the museum hosts (or a designated person from the group) tell a short story about pinball history and safety rules — this is a good moment for a quick demonstration of how to use the machines.
13:30–14:30 - Free play time: participants explore the room and test different tables and arcade machines. Encourage everyone to try at least three machines.
14:30–15:00 - Mini team tournament: split into teams (e.g. 4–5 people). Simple rules — add the best scores from three chosen machines. Prepare small prizes (medals, certificates, gadgets).
15:00–15:20 - Integration break at the bar: time for drinks, chat about top rounds and prize-giving.
15:20–15:45 - Quick challenges: contests like “longest combo streak” or “best comeback” — engaging and short.
15:45 - Visit closing and departure: gather quick feedback from participants and agree the rest of the New Year’s Eve plan (dinner, party, return).
The Pinball Museum’s address is Stradomska 15 — its location right by Wawel simplifies logistics: quick access from the centre and plenty of nearby options for dinner. Phone contact is available via official channels and helps secure large-group bookings quickly.
Tickets: there are hourly packages (e.g. 1 h) and day passes; usually reduced rates exist for younger visitors. Confirm exact prices and options by contacting the museum before booking.
On New Year’s Eve many places change opening hours — some attractions in Poland may be closed on 31.12. If you plan a visit that day, book your slot in advance and have a plan B (e.g. an earlier afternoon slot).
The museum accepts bookings for organized groups and issues invoices — when planning a corporate event ask about the possibility of reserving the space exclusively before opening or after official hours if you want more privacy.
Team tournament: teams compete for the total points from three different machines. Mix machine types to test different skills.
Point relay: each team member plays one round on a different machine — results add up. This builds tension and forces collaboration when choosing strategies.
Nostalgia master: who can name the most arcade game titles in 10 seconds? Simple questions and small prizes make for a fun atmosphere.
Pinball lesson: short workshops run by staff or a designated “expert” from the group — tricks, basic setup like tilt and shot technique. Useful for participants who have never played.
If you plan dinner after the visit, the Wawel area offers everything from formal, representative restaurants to relaxed taverns. For a more formal dinner consider Restaurant Wierzynek — a well-known venue with a long tradition. For a louder, informal finish try Pod Wawelem Kompania Piwna — a popular spot with hearty portions and an atmosphere that suits team gatherings.
If you prefer coffee and a calmer atmosphere before heading out for New Year’s celebrations, nearby cafés provide cozy conditions for a short team meeting or award-giving. Book quickly — New Year’s bookings are usually taken well in advance.
Not booking or not confirming opening hours for New Year’s Eve — this can force plan cancellations. Solution: reserve and confirm by email at least a week before the event.
Overpacking the schedule without breaks — pinball is engaging and noisy; after 60–90 minutes people need a rest. Solution: plan a drinks/snack break every 45–60 minutes.
No plan if the museum is closed on 31.12 — have alternatives (earlier slot, another attraction or a private room with rented machines).
Mismatch between game difficulty and participants — some people may be new to pinball. Solution: mix easy and harder machines and provide short instructions.
Do you need to reserve for groups? It’s recommended to reserve for organized groups to ensure availability and invoicing options.
How long does a typical visit last? For integration groups I suggest 2–3 hours including a tournament and a break for drinks or snacks.
Are there age restrictions? Pinball museums usually offer reduced tickets for younger visitors and have safety rules for children. Ask the organizer about exact policies before planning a trip with minors.
How are payments handled? Most places accept card and cash; for larger bookings request an invoice and agree on payment terms in advance.
Run a themed mini-tournament — a small dress code (e.g. retro, 80s) adds character and creates great photo opportunities for company social media.
Choose local, classic prizes: a voucher for a nearby café, an escape room voucher in Kraków or small retro gadgets related to gaming.
Record a short video summary of the day and send it to participants — a great way to keep the team spirit alive after returning to the office.
If this plan inspired you, share it with colleagues or in your company channel — you’ll help others plan a great New Year’s Eve team event. If you need individual help organising your group, tour guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) offers assistance with planning and coordination of programmes in Kraków — contact details are available on the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com site. Good luck planning a fun, laughter-filled and competitive integration event!
