Bowling at Imperial Lanes
posted April 1, 2012 10:15 AM RSS | iCal | +googleCal
Sun April 15 at 7:30 PM, Imperial Lanes
2101 22nd Ave S, Seattle, WA, USA (Map & Directions)
I have spent the evenings of Christmas Day, New Year's Day and a number of Sundays since bowling with a friend at Imperial Lanes in Rainier Valley. We have had a wonderful time every time. Experience strongly suggests a meetup there on another Sunday evening would work out fine. Especially since this time it seems fairly likely that it will not be snowing.
So, I thought I would submit the place -- again -- for a bowling meetup on April 15th.
So, I thought I would submit the place -- again -- for a bowling meetup on April 15th.
At first glance, the lanes had a faintly dystopian future air* to me -- the desks have all been ripped out and replaced by a computer keyboard on a pedestal where you can enter your names, with the linoleum around covered with circles with boltholes where the former furniture was installed.
Other than that, however, it's an example of that endangered species -- the old school bowling alley, on the utilitarian side in decor and accoutrements and lost in time somewhere in the Blue Velvet dimension with the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 21st century co-existing side by side -- the parking lot usually reflects this as well.
But the atmosphere in the place itself was positive, the staff were very friendly, as were the folks in the lanes nearby. And it has not been that crowded on the times I have been there.
For food and drinks, there is a snack bar and a spartan cocktail lounge with sports on the TV and just outside there is one of those digital jukeboxes with a menu of a few hundred albums, tilted towards the hip hop end of the pop music spectrum.
For bowling, the prices are fair and the bowling balls themselves come at three weights in three sizes of grip, colored by weight.
*The dystopian touch to me was the keypad on a pedestal. Lord knows I couldn't keep score on sheet but, all the same, having two desks next to one another lent a now gone egalitarian and populist touch.
Other than that, however, it's an example of that endangered species -- the old school bowling alley, on the utilitarian side in decor and accoutrements and lost in time somewhere in the Blue Velvet dimension with the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 21st century co-existing side by side -- the parking lot usually reflects this as well.
But the atmosphere in the place itself was positive, the staff were very friendly, as were the folks in the lanes nearby. And it has not been that crowded on the times I have been there.
For food and drinks, there is a snack bar and a spartan cocktail lounge with sports on the TV and just outside there is one of those digital jukeboxes with a menu of a few hundred albums, tilted towards the hip hop end of the pop music spectrum.
For bowling, the prices are fair and the bowling balls themselves come at three weights in three sizes of grip, colored by weight.
*The dystopian touch to me was the keypad on a pedestal. Lord knows I couldn't keep score on sheet but, all the same, having two desks next to one another lent a now gone egalitarian and populist touch.
Maybe might. Could be.
posted by parrot_person at 12:15 AM on April 2, 2012
posted by parrot_person at 12:15 AM on April 2, 2012
Hey Buddy, if I'm not working I'll try and come.
It's right around the corner from me, too.
posted by artof.mulata at 4:17 AM on April 2, 2012
It's right around the corner from me, too.
posted by artof.mulata at 4:17 AM on April 2, 2012
I would like to try to make it to this one again. Being tax day (though I guess the actual day is the 16th this year?) might complicate things. But we shall see.
posted by litlnemo at 5:30 AM on April 3, 2012
posted by litlnemo at 5:30 AM on April 3, 2012
Well (gulp) I will make it official and will be there early with some friends to stake out the lane closest to food and drink.
posted by y2karl at 9:30 AM on April 4, 2012
posted by y2karl at 9:30 AM on April 4, 2012
I'm having foot surgery tomorrow and am doubting my ability to be able to walk by Sunday so I'm going to have to miss this one.
posted by kthxbi at 4:16 PM on April 9, 2012
posted by kthxbi at 4:16 PM on April 9, 2012
We have a birthday party is that afternoon, but probably can show up sometime ...
posted by R343L at 7:27 PM on April 9, 2012
posted by R343L at 7:27 PM on April 9, 2012
Hmmm. My parents will be in town. They are rednecks on the other end of the technology curve. Harmless and friendly, really. It would blow their mind to meet my Internet friends at a bowling alley, on the same scale as making them participate in my Hindu Sanskrit wedding. I'm keeping this option open.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 7:37 PM on April 9, 2012
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 7:37 PM on April 9, 2012
So I will make a point of getting there at least a half hour early and seeing if I can snag the farthest lane to the left -- which will put events closest to the snack bar and bar bar. Also, I will make inquiries today as to prices and report back within the day.
On another note, the International Space Station make a three minute transit at 9:35 PM. Weather permitting, and it should be, the parking lot of Imperial Lanes will provide an excellent view of this event. It will fade in somewhere around 30 degrees above West North West and then zippitybop transit in an arc that will reach a height of 42 degrees to a fade out somewhere around 16 degrees East North East. As 0 is the horizon and 90 degrees is straight up, this will at points require some neck bending to observe. Wherever you are, go out and take a look. The fade in is the coolest part to my mind -- you think you maybe see it about five times a second and then there it is, that's it, wow, is it moving fast.
It looks at present as if I may have up to possibly six friends -- three women, one man, two formerly pre-tween daughters -- who may be in attendance, all smart and interesting. Two have been to meetups, four have not. As I have told the latter how smart and interesting you all are, please be smart and interesting.
Or I may be by myself. You never can tell until you lift the lid and look at the cat in the box. In any case, it will be an interesting experience.
posted by y2karl at 1:02 PM on April 13, 2012
On another note, the International Space Station make a three minute transit at 9:35 PM. Weather permitting, and it should be, the parking lot of Imperial Lanes will provide an excellent view of this event. It will fade in somewhere around 30 degrees above West North West and then zippitybop transit in an arc that will reach a height of 42 degrees to a fade out somewhere around 16 degrees East North East. As 0 is the horizon and 90 degrees is straight up, this will at points require some neck bending to observe. Wherever you are, go out and take a look. The fade in is the coolest part to my mind -- you think you maybe see it about five times a second and then there it is, that's it, wow, is it moving fast.
It looks at present as if I may have up to possibly six friends -- three women, one man, two formerly pre-tween daughters -- who may be in attendance, all smart and interesting. Two have been to meetups, four have not. As I have told the latter how smart and interesting you all are, please be smart and interesting.
Or I may be by myself. You never can tell until you lift the lid and look at the cat in the box. In any case, it will be an interesting experience.
posted by y2karl at 1:02 PM on April 13, 2012
OK, here is the breakdown:
$4.45 + tax - One game per person
$3.85 + tax - Shoe Rental
Reduced rates for 12 and under and 55 and over. I'm covered both ways!
There are two package deals:
$52.99 + tax - The AMF Fun Pack
"We pack a lot of value into this special offer for up to six bowlers. Perfect for a night of family fun or even some late-night bowling with friends.
Here's what's included in the AMF Fun Pack:
2 hours of bowling
Shoe rental
1 pitcher of your favorite soda
1 large popcorn"
$62.99 - The AMF Pizza Bowl
"Grab a napkin and save with this bowling + pizza double whammy.
Here's what's included in the AMF Pizza Bowl:
2 hours of bowling
Shoe rental
1 pitcher of your favorite soda
1 large cheese or pepperoni pizza"
I have reserved lanes 1 and 2, which are the farthest left and closest to snack bar and lounge, for 7:30 PM. While I am no fan of popcorn, as it seems like a deal I am inclined towards the Fun Pack and will cover that for lane 1 for starts.
Let me know what you think.
posted by y2karl at 5:23 PM on April 14, 2012
$4.45 + tax - One game per person
$3.85 + tax - Shoe Rental
Reduced rates for 12 and under and 55 and over. I'm covered both ways!
There are two package deals:
$52.99 + tax - The AMF Fun Pack
"We pack a lot of value into this special offer for up to six bowlers. Perfect for a night of family fun or even some late-night bowling with friends.
Here's what's included in the AMF Fun Pack:
2 hours of bowling
Shoe rental
1 pitcher of your favorite soda
1 large popcorn"
$62.99 - The AMF Pizza Bowl
"Grab a napkin and save with this bowling + pizza double whammy.
Here's what's included in the AMF Pizza Bowl:
2 hours of bowling
Shoe rental
1 pitcher of your favorite soda
1 large cheese or pepperoni pizza"
I have reserved lanes 1 and 2, which are the farthest left and closest to snack bar and lounge, for 7:30 PM. While I am no fan of popcorn, as it seems like a deal I am inclined towards the Fun Pack and will cover that for lane 1 for starts.
Let me know what you think.
posted by y2karl at 5:23 PM on April 14, 2012
Given that I live a few blocks from the place, I hope to at least drop in and meet people.
Maybe.
We'll see ...
posted by dotgirl at 8:37 PM on April 14, 2012
Maybe.
We'll see ...
posted by dotgirl at 8:37 PM on April 14, 2012
Damn, good thing I checked into IRL, just in case ... and it's in my neighborhood (sort of), so I'll at least swing by, but no bowling for me.
posted by Relay at 10:59 AM on April 15, 2012
posted by Relay at 10:59 AM on April 15, 2012
Woah, so three of us are in the neighborhood? Anyway, it looks like I'm coming with a +1.
posted by R343L at 5:31 PM on April 15, 2012
posted by R343L at 5:31 PM on April 15, 2012
Well that was nice, if brief, to see all of you ... sorry I was late and had to leave so quickly.
posted by Relay at 10:33 PM on April 15, 2012
posted by Relay at 10:33 PM on April 15, 2012
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by R343L at 10:27 PM on April 1, 2012