It may have been a favorite prehistoric pastime for Fred and Barney in the Flintstones, but bowling has truly been around forever, dating all the way back to 5200 B.C.! And, with movies like "Kingpin" and "The Big Lebowski" bowling is a part of our popular culture.
This age-old sport, has received a modern makeover in Chicago with Lucky Strike Lanes! With 10 locations already across the country, this California-based chain opened their posh 36,000-squre-foot Streeterville location in August. It's complete with 18 lanes, 11 pool tables and three bars, including a wine bar and five fireplaces! And the menu, showcasing a variety of small plates from skewers to spare snacks.
"It's been something that over the last two or three years has really boomed as kind of a nightspot first with a great menu, but also if people like to bowl, something that they can get in to," said Ben Smock, Lucky Strike General Manager.
Lucky Strike showcases local artists work above the bowling alleys.
"We actually have a little arts program that runs over the lanes, it's meant to add light and texture to the space, it's about 200 up and coming artists, everything from digital stills of their work, to fun movie clips to, like strange and odd European commercials, that kind of add a little light and texture to the space, make it a little bit more fun," said Smock.
Their clientele isn't die-hard bowlers.
"It's more of a spot for people to come out and have a good time, kind of the casual bowlers as we like to call it. Somebody who's out, having a great time, grabbing a snack, maybe a cocktail and maybe bowl a game as well," said Smock.
This may be the newest trend in bowling lounges, but we all know bowling lounges have been around forever, and we have discovered a few gems you may not know about, but they may be up your alley.
If you're at Kedzie and Columbus the place to be is Bluebird Lanes, one of the last remaining bowling alleys on the South Side.
"Bluebird Lanes has been here for 3 years, previous to that it was Laredo Lanes, which was built in 1955," said Bill Brennan, Bluebird Lanes Owner. "For years it was one of the best places on Monday night, they had the 5, 4 point major here was on Monday nights and had the best bowlers in the city of Chicago bowling here. This is the place, if you can't have fun here, you're not going to have fun anywhere."
After 10 years of hosting rock shows, Fireside Bowl on Western and California is back to being a bowling alley! It's been around for over 60 years, and the reason is simple.
"It's got a homey atmosphere with kind of a retro feel to it, it doesn't have all the modern up to date stuff, I think that has a place for some bowling alleys, but for here, some people just want to have an old fashioned classic bowling alley and this kind of fits the bill," said Jim Lapinski, Fireside Bowl Owner.
For some classic charm, head to Lincoln Square Lanes, a second-floor bowling alley that sits atop a hardware store!
"There are people that come up here, and they go, is this the ACE hardware," said Edwina Mowery, Lincoln Square Lanes Bowler.
"This has been here since 1918," said Dick Drehoble, Lincoln Square Lanes Owner.
Complete with a pressed tin ceiling, vintage ball returns and manual scoring as well as a balcony for viewing bowling games in progress, anyone can feel at home at this quaint neighborhood haunt.
For more information:
Lucky Strike Lanes
322 East Illinois Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 245-8331
www.bowlluckystrike.com
Bluebird Lanes
3900 West Columbus Avenue
Chicago, IL 60652
(773) 582-2828
Fireside Bowl
2646 West Fullerton Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 486-2700
Lincoln Square Lanes
4874 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625 (773) 561-8191
