Reciprocal NYC

RIP to the best skateshop in NYC.

Stopped in after a couple moons had passed, strictly for wood. Not sure how these guys are more expensive than other shops ($ 60 for a deck with grip), but they used to be reasonably priced. I’m all for supporting non-​elitist, local heads, but not getting scalped in the process.

I’m a first time skater, and I went in to get something that I can cruise around on. I had in mind something I can use to get to work or get around the neighborhood, but not something for learning tricks or going crazy on. I may be getting a little old to be breaking any bones.
The shop itself was small but that’s not a negative. The gentleman that helped me was very nice and very knowledgeable. He was easy to chat with and answered all my questions I had about skateboards. We even engaged in small talk, and he made it comfortable for a newbie like me.
I went with what he suggested for a board. My only negative is that the parts are a bit more expensive than buying them online. However, considering how helpful he was, the extra money was worth it.
Like most reviewers said, there were a bunch of pinball machines, but I didn’t check them out.
Overall, it’s a nice shop. The great service balances out the higher prices.

Little skate shop /​pinball arcade. Very simple and fun. We enjoyed having someplace we can pop in and play a few non-​video games. I’d like to rate this place higher but it was a mess and half the machines did not work. The staff was super friendly.
Hopefully they get it cleaned up since as a dad I have to worry about places that my kids can trip due to the clutter. I look forward to giving it another try someday.

Awesome pinball. A really warm place to hang out. The folks that work here are super friendly. You can’t beat .50 a game!

Remember to bring coins because they got pinballs! Helpful and friendly people there.

Great shop! My son has been going here for years and I finally got down there today. John, the owner, is a great guy who has deep roots in NYC. The pinball machines are great especially the new Wizard of Oz machine. I’ll have to get back there soon since my son beat me 2 out of 3 games.

Wow! Visiting from Los Angeles (Dogtown to be exact) my son was fed up with these digital arcades and was jonesing for a good pinball hangout. This place is awesome! Great machines and the guys who run the shop (John & Brian) could not have been nicer. Aside from the games, it’s a great skateboard shop with deep knowledge on old skool to new school gear and history. They were doing a tournament to benefit Columbian kids which rounds out this place as having a head AND a heart. Thanks for a great experience. We’re fizzing!

Well i don’t skate but i play pinball and this is with no doubt one of the top 3 places in NYC for pinball alongside with Satellite Lounge and Two Bits Arcade ! Jon and all people there know their job and are always welcoming and great people :)

This place fucking rocks!
Cool, friendly staff, & awesome pinball! The owner, John, really knows his shit. I even got a chance to look under the hood of a pinball machine as he was fixing it. John enthusiastically explained what he was fixing, gave me a brief history of the machine, and I even got to help!
I suck at pinball and even worse at skating but never feel about about it here. the environment is so chill. I can’t wait to bring a date here and show that I actually know cool people. and a great place. Keep up the good work boys

Just a neighborly review because it’s great to have this place on the block. It’s a nice business that doesn’t fall into any of the EV cliches, and it gives the underage a place to bring dates, at least I think it does, not sure if that actually happens.
It seems to be a great place for grownups where the focus isn’t solely food or drink.
Pinball also has a warm spot in my memory as the only solace at arcade birthday parties for a girl like me who never had any skill or interest in video games.

The perfect neighborhood hangout.
I drop by here whenever I can, even though I suck at pinball. The staff can seem a little standoffish, but usually they warm up and start joking around. I usually stay till I run out of cash. The pinball selection here is top notch. Without realizing it, I got introduced to some of pinball’s greatest hits. It wasn’t till after I did some poking around online that I realized just how amazing the selection is here.
The only annoying thing is having to work your way around the inevitable awkward couples who are clearly on a first date and don’t know what to do with themselves, each other, or the pinball games.

Meh service. Reciprocal, you’re not Supreme, so this is a good and bad thing. Good in that you actually sell skateboards not meant for decoration and the pinball machines in the back were a cool touch. Bad in that it’s hard to get away with crappy service and the nonchalant vibe, seems weird — I was expecting much more due to the other reviews. Maybe that works for some people.
Overall, the shop is cool but I’m sure you can find another.

My kid wanted «the coolest skateboard ever» so after extensive research, we headed to Reciprocal.
Greg & Jon are knowledgeable, passionate, humorous gents who schooled us novices on all things skateboard.
The picking out and assembly of the «coolest skateboard ever» was a most excellent experience.
Old school pinball machines rocked as did the entire vibe of the shoppe.
Go here! It’s AWESOME!!!

Confession: I’m not much of a modern day video game sort of guy. Assassin’s Creed? Call Of Duty? Mass Effect? You can have ‘em. But throw me in a game of Galaga, Tecmo Bowl, or some classic pinball, and you can ensure I’m a happy camper. That said, it’s places like Reciprocal NYC that unleash my inner child.
Located inside of a skate shop in East Village, bring a satchel of quarters and engage with 8 different pinball games at no more than $ 0.50 a pop alongside a BYOB policy some real down to earth folks working the room, and you have yourself a recipe for a flashback to the ‘80s and a hell of a great time in downtown New York City.
They don’t have their own quarter machines that I can tell, so be sure to save your laundry money if you want to make your buck stretch. And trust me, you will.

The staff here is cool and down to earth. The concept is definitely unique and the décor and arrangement of both worlds is awesome.
You walk in and if you wanna play pinball, you play pinball.
Go around the corner and you’re in another world… a world of skateboards and trucks and wheels and soft goods.
Each game is a quarter and the Spiderman machine is the best.
It’s a nice intimate spot even though it can get packed with only 8 people standing in it… but when you’re in the game…
You. Are. In. The. Game.
No one in the outside world exists when you’re in the game.

The single greatest establishment in the East Village! The staff is all super friendly, the skate stuff is all top-​notch and the pinball machines are all in perfect condition. Jon the owner is doing a great job running it, and I hope to see it last for many years to come.
Also a great kid-​friendly place, if you want to take yours to play some pinball somewhere.

I love this place. I would highly recommend it. I went into it and instantly felt comfortable talking with the 2 guys working there. I told them what I wanted in a setup and they were able to help me build one exactly like I described… they are very cool about speaking in terms of price ranges and the budget you’re looking for. I saw them dealing with other customers and they were very upfront and helpful with them too. They seem to genuinely love what they do.
Needless to say I bought the board, and within a minute of riding it home from the shop, I knew it was just what I wanted and fell in love with it. I mean, they let me try out boards at the shop, but riding it home continuously is a different story. Still love it and was glad I went with it.
They’ve also got a bunch of pin-​ball machines in the store, which gives the shop an awesome hangout feel. I’ll be back just to say thanks and maybe play some pinball!

Friendly staff, well-​maintained pinball games. Lots and lots of skateboards.
We popped in for about 45 minutes just to play the pinball and chat with the people running the place.

This is what you wished all mom-​and-​pop retail, or maybe all retail, could be. The owner, the place, and the merchandise all work together for the common feel of a friendly hangout. From the moment you walk in to the time you get to know the owner well after a few visits, you know this is exactly what a skate shop and arcade should be, and doesn’t exist anywhere else in the NYC area.
The place is PACKED with shirts, boards, parts, and extras, wall to wall, every corner. You can browse and hunt or you can just walk up to the owner and get help, he’s always there.
The owner, Jon, is a really fun guy and his personality drives the hybrid shop/​arcade. He owns and repairs the machines. He’s a wiz at tuning up boards too. He’s also personable, fun to talk to, and remembers everyone. I’ve never seen him in a bad mood.
That’s enough for five stars. .. but being packed with pinball always in perfect working condition, open well past normal hours many nights, and always full of fun people with good stories just puts it over the top. When I am in the East Village, I always stop by – and I don’t even skate.