Superbowling Sunday

Posted February 5th, 2007 in Family Outing, Milagros News

We joined some friends yesterday at Interstate Lanes.

The last time I rolled a ball down a lane was when I lived in Seattle. The Sunset Bowl was not too far from the house and was open 24-7. Games were half-price after midnight so bowling off a buzz at the Sunset at 3 am was a favorite pastime for hipster Seattlites.

The Sunset Bowl reeked of smoke and stale beer. The “lounge” was beat-up and expansive and the wailings of lounge lizard karaoke could be heard over the din of balls hitting pins. The carpets were so stained that determining the original color was a compelling topic of discussion (as was speculating on the source of prominent blemishes). In addition to a plethora of lottery vending machines and Keno screens, they had a counter lined with barstools just opposite the lanes at which they only sold pull-tabs.

Pull tabs are lottery tickets that you break open to reveal whether or not you have won a cash prize. People would sit at those stools all-day, “re-investing” any winnings into more pull-tabs until they finally had no choice but to just go home.

So….the Sunset Bowl during my Seattle days? Not an ideal family place. And Interstate Lanes?

I was shocked – in a good way! – that Interstate Lanes is smoke-free. The place was clean, food was reasonable, and the bar was not the dominant feature. However I was still able to get a Budweiser in a bowling pin bottle ($2.85) which for me is a must-have when I am at any alley.

Mila and her friends had a fun time of it and so did the adults. There are some bargain-game days/times, so it may be worth a call to find out when the deals are (yes they have deals before midnight). They also offer cosmic bowling nights which is basically bowling in a disco (ala the opening sequence of King Pin). Apparently they offer some very affordable birthday party packages as well.

Although yesterday wasn’t rainy (we went for a neighborhood stroll after bowling), I have put Interstate Lanes on our list of possible rainy day diversions.