date published:
July 7, 2003
Fun
'n'
Games
Bowling, billiards, mini-golf
and more, Panorama surveys the games people play and where to
play them in the Boston area
by Aaron Ansel
Variety, it has been said, is the spice of life. Perhaps the phrase should be re-coined to include nightlife as well, because variety seems to quickly be becoming what Boston-after-dark is all about. From the recent opening of the bowling alley and billiards room, Kings, to the new-ish nightclub/pool hall Felt, to the ongoing success of places like Jillian's and the Milky Way in Jamaica Plain, Bostonians are turning more and more to alternative entertainment venues that feature something besides the traditional drinking and dancing on their plat-du-jour. So if you've already trekked along the Freedom Trail and quacked your heart out in a Duck Boat, or if you're just looking for something to challenge your hand-eye coordination, head out to any one of these cool hot-spots that are sure to spice up your evening.
KINGS
50 Dalton St., 617-266-2695
It's official: retro is cool, and there's nothing any of us can
do about it except flip up our collars, grease back our hair, and
head to Kings, where retro meets the modern age. What makes this
hip new lounge and bowling alley unique is the fact that the
lanes are standard size, a true Boston rarity. Bowl to the pulse
of disco and funk while the black-lights illuminate everything
from the rainbow-colored bowling balls to the Andy Warhol-esque
art on the walls. Across from the alleys is a dimly lit pool
lounge, the sort of way-too-cool place where you'd expect to see
James Dean in the back leaning casually against one of the
vintage tables. Kings is also home to the DeVille Lounge-think a
1960s hep cat lounge-complete with extra details like red plastic
cups that make this place a new juxtaposition of classic and
cool.
JILLIAN'S
145 Ipswich St., 617-437-0300
For everyone who saved up their lunch money for after school
arcade-hopping, Jillian's-home to over 200 video games-is the
biggest thing to come along since they started putting
dollar-bill slots on the machines. Jillian's is open to all ages,
but for the arcade addicts who are all grown up, there are bars,
restaurants, and more bars abounding throughout its three floors.
The top floor is a pool-junkies utopia, with over 50 pool tables.
Just be warned-after setting foot in this entertainment mecca,
you may not be able to get the theme music from Centipede out of
your head.
BOSTON BILLIARD CLUB
126 Brookline Ave., 617-536-7665
Trends may come and go, but there's something about a classic
pool hall-the lights turned down low, the sound of bar glasses
and eight-balls clinking in the background-that won't fade away.
The Boston Billiard Club, consistently rated one of the country's
top pool-halls, is a sharp and sexy club where Paul Newman
wannabes come to stake their claim. The club is home to 55
industry-standard Brunswick Gold Crown tables, as well as a full
service bar and restaurant serving traditional pub fare. With a
variety of upscale private rooms, you're bound to find the
perfect spot for sinking an eight-ball against your unsuspecting
boss, or simply getting out for a night on the town. Just watch
out for that innocent-looking kid who's only played "once or
twice" but comes equipped with a personal cue engraved "poolmaster."
MILKY WAY LOUNGE AND LANES
401 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, 617-524-3740
When Nirvana sang "Here we are now, entertain us," this Jamaica
Plain hotspot may have been the sort of place the grunge-era
superstars could have had in mind. Cool live bands, a medley of
special events and a variety of theme nights attract a diverse
crowd, as do the pool tables, Pac-Man, and that irrepressible New
England institution, candlepin bowling. What more could any
rocker guy or girl sporting a leather jacket and a pair of Chuck
Taylors want? Tuesday nights feature Mary Mary's All-Star
Karaoke, where tatooed hipsters belt out '80s-era cheese like Pat
Benatar and Guns N' Roses while sipping a creative cocktail from
the cordials-only bar. It's just another small detail that makes
this JP funhouse as inimitable as its clientele.
FELT
533 Washington Street, 617-350-5555
This snazzy new club and billiards lounge may be exactly what
happens when you take a upscale nightclub with DJs and dancing
and throw in a pool hall for added entertainment. Felt hosts a
variety of theme nights like Tuesdays Den'm Night, where those
black pants can be ditched for navy blue Levis, as well as a host
of DJs spinning throughout the weekend. To keep their place at
the edge of hip, Felt regularly hosts special events like the
J-Lo Swimwear Fashion Show on June 12 and the Playboy Playmates
Party to benefit breast cancer on June 25. Who said you had to be
a pool shark to get people's attention at a billiards club?
ROUTE 1 MINIATURE GOLF AND BATTING CAGES
1575 Broadway, Saugus, 781-233-2811
Best known for the giant orange Tyrannosaurus Rex leering down
over the highway, this mini-golf course, about ten minutes north
of the city, features family-friendly fun with a 1950s feel. If
you're looking for a challenging, classic putt-putt course with a
long history of New England entertainment, this is your place.
Its 18 holes are adorned with vintage décor (think Ferris Wheels
and bowling pins), and when your game is over or the T-rex (his
name is Tim) has eaten your ball, you can blow off some steam in
the batting cages or head to the arcade to win enough tickets for
a new golf ball.
McGOLF
150 Bridge St., Dedham, 781-326-9616
Located off of Route 1, about 20 minutes south of the city, this
golfer's haven offers driving ranges, a putting and chipping
area, and 18 holes of mini-golf for some intense, competitive
putting. The course is tastefully landscaped, with a waterfall
and fish pond where you can feed the scaly critters for a quarter
(hopefully not with your golf ball). The holes themselves are
rather inventive: check out the super-steep McGolf Mountain Hole,
where a hole-in-one wins you $25. Whether you're working on your
game, or gaming with the family, McGolf is the perfect place for
either pastime.
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CRAZY
FOR CANDLEPINS If you're not from around these parts, you may be in for a shock when you step into a bowling alley. It's not that Bostonians lack arm-muscles, it's just that up here we prefer a bocce-sized ball over gargantuan spheres with holes for getting your fingers stuck in. The pins are tall and skinny and look like oversized vitamins because, seriously, we like it that way. A New England tradition for more than 100 years, candlepin bowling is similar to its standard size counterpart in such things as scoring and the number of pins, but there are a few unique rules and bits of trivia that are as crucial as the ugly bowling shoes every patron is forced to wear.
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