Is Bowling Hip?

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I haven't been bowling since I was a teenager.  I was surprised by this story in the NY Post that bowling lanes are reinventing themselves as hip, fun hangouts for the 20 and 30 somethings.  Who knew? But to do this, they are ruthlessly firing many of their long time employees and replacing them with "trendy, attractive" new hirees.

http://nypost.com/2017/04/20/inside-the-ugly-road-bowlmor-took-to-make-bowling-cool/

 

[TMG51]

Bowling is a great destination for after-work parties. There's something to do besides sit around with beer, and yet, there's still beer.

 

[OutdoorFT]

Hip? Not sure. Its a fun activity. I hate crowds, so I havent gone in a while.

 

[Gunny]

My first instinct was to say sure bowling was hip, I like to bowl. Then I imagine me and my bad hip hobbling down the alley, falling and having a 16 lb. bowling ball attack me. It was fun, and a pass-time me and my older kids enjoyed.

Rob

 

[djkeev]

Bowling used to be a great past time but as the years slipped by many/most alleys got old and dingy.....dated..... a hang out spot for those I didn't wish to hang with!
We stopped going decades ago.

Our local bowling alley spend several years and probably a LOT of money remodeling and reinvented themselves as a clean "exciting" destination.
Clean new bowling,
Rock Climbing,
Lazer Tag,
Arcade,
Food and drink in a stylish environment. A Taphouse/Grill type of place.

I wish them success.

Dave

 

[rvpopeye]

Gunny

They now have little plastic ramps for the kiddies that they aim , put the ball on top and let it go down the alley......

I can't imagine anyone with the stones to give you a hard time if you used one !!!!

 

[Queen]

I think it's just normal where we live in FL, but there are also ninety bajillion retirees in the area so the lanes are full of older people doing what they've always done, bowling and drinking beer. Although they do offer some sort of glow-in-the-dark nighttime bowling occasionally.

 

[MrNoodly]

This trend has been going on for decades. There was a place in SF in the '80s called (I think) Rock 'n' Bowl. There was a bowling place where I lived in North Carolina in the '90s and '00s that had black lights, strobes, videos and the latest music. Maybe it's just now working it's way to the Big Apple.

 

[Ballenxj]

But to do this, they are ruthlessly firing many of their long time employees and replacing them with "trendy, attractive" new hirees.

I'm not sure I would have ever called bowling hip, but this was no way to do business.

 

[Gunny]

Popeye, has anyone ever mentioned you have an odd sense of humor? If you ever see me using one of those, feel free to just go on and shoot me..

Rob

 

[rvpopeye]

roger that !

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

Where I lived in Mass there was a very popular bar that had live music with a dance floor, pool tables, dart boards and a bunch of arcade games. They added on and put in 10 lanes of big ball bowling and the place got even more popular. Lots of work parties and corporate outing type of events. 5 years later, the landlord decided to not renew their lease, waiting to see if the owner of the building opens it back up as it's new owner.

 

[slynne]

This trend has been going on for decades. There was a place in SF in the '80s called (I think) Rock 'n' Bowl. There was a bowling place where I lived in North Carolina in the '90s and '00s that had black lights, strobes, videos and the latest music. Maybe it's just now working it's way to the Big Apple.

There has been a similar place in Detroit for years. 

http://majesticdetroit.com/garden-bowl-open-bowling/

 

[jimindenver]

I bowled for 30 years until my body said no more. They have to do something to attract the younger crowd because the league bowlers are passing with no one to support the alleys. So now it's loud music, black lights, kids parties, etc. The only problem is that parties are one time events and the rest is only if you feel like it. The leagues filled the lanes every day with the same people year after year. They supported the Pro shops buying new balls, shoes, bags and spent a lot of money doing it too. The house knew the money was coming in regularly, now it's a different business.

 

[eDJ_]

Where I used to live and grew up we had about 6 nice 25 lane alleys.  There were a few old ones too.  Most had Billiard tables with them.  The one near me had a few pin ball machines in the snack bar area.  Now the area is down to 2. I remember when Bowling was Big but with the economy here and people leaving to better areas for work the alleys were torn down after they closed so the owners wouldn't have to pay tax on the buildings.
Cheaper if it was just a vacant lot where the alley was.

In my area "big ball" 10 pins are the standard.  Few people have heard of Duck Pins and Rubber Bellies and if you speak of Candle Pins they think you came from Mars.   "What !!  you bowl on the fallen pins" !!!!!!  

But in my travels I've seen a lot of things.   If I could bowl anything I'd enjoy Duck's most of all.  

Candle Pin Youtube  one minute video youtube



Rubber banded Duck Pin bowling (called Rubber Bellies) 11 seconds youtube

 

[Queen]

Used to go candlepin bowling with my cousins in MA, lots of fun, and since I was a softball pitcher I did a lot better at that game than regular bowling (which I always stunk at).