Bowled Over

This past weekend, Jamie, Ned & I went to The Gutter in Brooklyn. Two recent bowling birthday parties had rekindled my desire to be good at bowling, and when I casually mentioned this to J&N, they raved about Williamsburg's first (in many years) and only bowling alley. Naturally I wanted to give it a try. We had the unfortunate experience of being there on a packed night, and perhaps would have been better off on a Tuesday rather than a Friday. J&N swear that they've been late on Fridays and never seen it so busy. Maybe it's the crisp autumn air that's inspiring people to find an indoor activity. But overall it was a great place with reasonable prices and beers with fun names like Fisherman's Ale. The real charm of the place is the fact that the owners (also of Barcade) salvaged old bowling alley equipment, creating the vibe that you're hanging out in your friend's awesome basement rec room and warming your heart with nostalgia.

I can't even be mad that they sort of stole a dream of mine...

A couple years ago, my roommate Erin and I were wondering aloud what could be done with the unused parking lot off of Bedford Ave. It was prime real estate, but not good for much because apparently it was built over some old gas station site and therefore riddled with toxins... at least that's the rumor. Any way, it dawned on us, TOXIC BOWL! We'd use the bottom floor for an awesome bowling alley, let local bands play there as a way to get recognized, and of course, build ourselves an apartment above and let the sound of clattering pins lull us to sleep every night. Our shtick was that every time you scored a strike, Britney Spears' "Toxic" would play. If only we had acted faster...