Spotlight On…The Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn

It’s not often you would go to a bowling alley to do anything but bowl, but The Brooklyn Bowl isn’t your typical bowling alley. Outfitted with a 600 capacity concert space, a renowned bbq restaurant, known to have the best fried chicken in New York by the way, and a bar stocked with 10 different varieties of local brew, at The Brooklyn Bowl, no one would blame you for forgetting to hitting the lanes.

Gogol Bordello Record Release Party in Brooklyn, “Start wearing purple” from Museyon Guides on Vimeo.
 

Opened in mid 2009, The Brooklyn Bowl has quickly become a hotspot for touring bands. In its short history they’ve hosted Snoop Dog, The Roots, Dr. Dog and as Museyon experienced on Tuesday, the extraordinary Gogol Bordello whose last stop in New York included two nights at the 3,000 capacity Terminal 5. Many of these shows have been impromptu gigs giving The Bowl a reputation for always surprising patrons with high quality bands. And on nights when there isn’t music, The Bowl fills their eight huge high-def screens with sports and movies and their concert space with art exhibitions and dance parties.
 
One of the more acclaimed aspects of The Brooklyn Bowl is their LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. It is the only bowling alley to achieve this distinction and when you are transforming a 130-year-old iron foundry, a great feat but to owners Peter Shapiro and Charley Ryan, making The Bowl green was key. They’ve even gone so far as to only stock the bar with local Brooklyn beers, half of which are conveniently made right next-door at The Brooklyn Brewery.
 
And what about the food and bowling? Blue Ribbon bbq created the highly lauded menu and food can be served anywhere you find a seat, including at the deep leather sofas situated at all 16 lanes. Worried that you won’t be able to hear the music over the bowling? Don’t be, the venue’s well-crafted acoustics have that covered.
 

Best Thing I Ever Ate featuring Brooklyn Bowl’s Fried Chicken from Brooklyn Bowl on Vimeo.
 
The Brooklyn Bowl is open Monday – Thursday 6:00pm – 2:00am, Friday 6:00pm – 4:00am, Saturday 12:00pm – 4:00am and Sunday :: 12:00pm – 2:00am.
 
Kids and all those under 21 are allowed for bowling during the day on Saturday and Sunday.
 
Check out the venue calendar for ticket information.
 
Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211 – (718) 963-3369
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