In the Lower East Side, there’s a nine-block area dubbed, “Hell Square”, by angry neighbors due to the rowdy bridge-and-tunnel crowd its overflowing bars and nightclubs attract come weekend. In Williamsburg, you have North 11th Street. Spotting anyone deviating from the Brooklyn hipster uniform trifecta of a top knot, plaid shirt and manicured beard, will be like finding Waldo in the dark. Dodge the deluge of craft beer bars and head to Brooklyn Bowl, a neighborhood triple threat due to its 16-lane bowling alley, fast-food chain Blue Ribbon outpost and roaring music hall. Owned by Peter Shapiro, the space is housed in an 1880’s ironworks foundry, and the 20,000 square-foot space has the capacity to hold 600. In a nod to the kitsch surrounds of the colorful Coney Island boardwalk, the space features freak-show posters and carnival-game relics throughout, while all of the beer sold by Sixpoint, Kelso and Brooklyn Brewery, is made in the borough.
If striking out’s not really your thing, kick back in one of the large leather Chesterfield sofas and in the elevated Bowlers Lounge, where you can watch the show on one of eight, high-definition screens towering over the pins. Head down on a Thursday night to check out DJ Questlove’s late-night set, where he draws from his vinyl collection of more than 50,000 records to spin a mix of hip-hop, ‘80s and house, as part of his weekly residency against the backdrop of throwback Soul Train videos. Mention “Sunday Night Special” at the shoe desk to receive half-price rates off any lanes after 8PM.
