A much-anticipated bowling lounge is set to open in the Lakewood Theater.
Bowlski's will open on Labor Day weekend, bringing an entertainment destination to the landmark theater. There'll be four stories of fun, including 10 bowling lanes, an arcade, a massive golf simulator, a video game room, and private karaoke.
Bowlski's is the second location for the company founded in El Jebel, Colorado, in 2018. It’s an operation from Craig and Jen Spivey, who live in Lakewood and opened Bowlounge in the Design District in 2013 before selling their share of the company last year.
At Bowlski's, there are bars on every level of the completely renovated Lakewood Theater:
- The bowling lounge has a full bar with draft beer, cocktails, and wine.
- A fourth-story bar called Flamingo Lounge is a speakeasy with a VIP vibe, cocktails, and a wide selection of scotch, whiskey, and champagne.
- Through the Flamingo Lounge will be the Peacock Club, a members-only private barroom located in the original projection room. The original projection windows allow revelers to look down four stories to the bowling lanes below.
The theater underwent a major renovation, but many aspects of the historic landmark have been preserved, including the neon spire and the famed original murals that bedeck the lobby and mezzanine.
"It's all about the experience. Everywhere you look, you will see local history," says Jen Spivey.
The former Arcade Bar has been transformed into a restaurant serving specialty pizza rolls, cheesesteak egg rolls, wings, sliders, and more.
Drink menus give a nod to notable 420 strains with names such as Pineapple Express made with vodka, orange, and cranberry juices topped with Prosecco; and the Maui Wowie with rum, guava, and pineapple.
Booze is also served in bulk. Shareable Old Fashioneds are delivered tableside in a wooden barrel. Plus, there is something called "shotskis," where four shot glasses are attached to a long snow ski so friends can take a simultaneous group shot, similar to a tradition from the Bravo TV show Watch What Happens.
Bowling rates are $9 per game for adults, $7 for children, and $6 for seniors. Shoe rentals are $3.50.
The arcade will be a haven for gamers who can enjoy big-screen sessions of games like Fortnite, Overwatch, and Smash Bros. There are also vintage arcade games and pool tables.
Lakewood Theater is a historic landmark, and the Spiveys come with their own lineage with the theater. Jen's father Gene Haufler cofounded the Dallas band The Nightcaps, the legendary band of the 1960s, with Billy Joe Shine. The Nightcaps played the Lakewood’s 50th anniversary and many other occasions.
"We have a lot of memories here," Jen says. "Having the opportunity to bring this landmark back to life as an entertainment destination for the neighborhood means so much. We can see the Lakewood Theater spire from our front porch. This is special for us."
They'll host three opening parties on August 30-31 that require advance tickets purchased online. Tickets are $60 and include free play, appetizers, and free rein over all four levels.
