Category: arcade

Duckpins Return to Norfolk – Sort of

Circuit Social is the new kid on the block. Opened just before Memorial Day 2019, the establishment boasts current and vintage arcade games that run 25-50 cents per game, craft beer, and duckpin bowling.

There are 10 lanes installed by Infinity Bowl that are 32 feet long, use rubberband duckpins with string pinsetters, and regulation balls. There are no approaches which speeds up games and eliminates the need to stock and care for bowling shoes. Rubberband pins were chosen to reduce the noise level.

By early June, Circuit Social was still pretty crowded. The owner, Robert Lupica, has two other locations in Richmond, but they do not feature any type of duckpin bowling. He said he plans to open additional locations throughout the Southeast with planning already underway for Charlotte and Atlanta. Thew new venues will focus more on “social” games, such as duckpin bowling.

“I think things repeat themselves in culture and things come back. It changes maybe a tad.” he said. “I think it’s the same thing with the millennials and the parents. They want the ‘old school.’ They want that nostalgia feel.”

The Virginian Pilot – Want some nostalgia with that beer? Arcade bar industry hits Norfolk.

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Waco Texas to Get Duckpin Bowling in 2020

Mark Schulman has built several of his Schulman Movie Bowl Grille locations, but he wanted the one in his hometown of Waco, Texas, to be bigger and better. Besides a multi-screen movie theater, 30 lanes of tenpin bowling, an arcade, and a full-service restaurant, he will be creating a separate area for some form of duckpin bowling. The 300-plus acre complex will be owned under MKT Real Estate Holdings LLC and developed by 58 Aggie Development LLC. Schulman is targeting the Summer of 2020 to have the complex completed.

Since his plans are not final yet, we don’t know if the duckpin portion will be regulation lanes or the shorter entertainment-style 26-ft lanes, but any new introduction of the sport is a positive move. There is still an opportunity for someone in the duckpin world to reach out and try to convince him that a regulation-size setup brings more long-term potential.

In an interview with Mike Copeland of the Waco Tribune-Herald, Schulman mentioned that leagues are not their target nor a priority for the bowling business. However, he does describe a seasonal volatility and even short-season leagues for duckpin could help bring in business during the “valleys” in business revenues.

The complex is expected to bring in 275 jobs with 75 or more being full-time. Some of those positions will be seasonal.

The complex’s full-service restaurant, Billy’s Grille & Bar, will a “mix of George’s and Cheddar’s, and maybe toss in a little bit of Texas Roadhouse or Saltgrass.” The restaurant menu will include burgers, steaks, seafood, salads, pizza and appetizers. He expects to have at least 86 craft beers available, and TV screens will provide an array of viewing options.

Waco Tribune-Herald – Mike Copeland: More on Forthcoming Entertainment Complex

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Pins Mechanical to Open 4 New Locations

Troy Allen’s Rise Brands is on a roll, with three locations already open throughout Ohio. The concept of Pins Mechanical Co. combines pinball, duckpin bowling, and great drinks. Interestingly, none of the current venues serve food, but have food trucks and neighborhood food providers for hungry patrons. Its a complement to the company’s 16-Bit, an arcade-based venue.

Last week, Allen announced that four new locations have been procured and are in various stages of development. The new locations are Nashville, Charlotte, Indianapolis, and Cleveland. As they gain experience, they are making each location bigger to accommodate the crowds and to host large parties and corporate events. The Cleveland location is expected to start construction at the end of 2019 while the others are already being developed with expected opening dates in late 2019 or early 2020.

Allen added that additional locations in those areas are likely as their plan is to use a “hub-and-spoke model,” where one urban location is followed by additional suburban units. He also let slip that they are already researching markets in other states too.

It seems duckpin bowling is pretty popular these days and entertainment centers such as Pins Mechanical Co. seem to have the right formula to bring people in to bowl. They are currently installing 26-foot lanes with 8-foot approaches. As has become the norm, Qubica/AMF machines are used for the pinsetters.

An interesting aspect about this news is the location in Indianapolis. When completed, along with other recent announcements, Indianapolis will have 8 duckpin venues. This elevates the area and again raises the question as to whether regulation/sanctioned duckpin could grow in this midwest city.

News from Clevescene.com – Ohio City to Get a Combined 16-Bit and Pins Mechanical Co.

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Duckpin Bowling is a Hit in Provo

In an area just southwest of Provo, Utah, called Spanish Forks is an entertainment establishment that opened in October, 2018. Doc Brundy’s hosts a top-tier restaurant, a video and pinball arcade, and a duckpin bowling center.

They have 6 regulation lanes using Qubica/AMF string machines. Most evenings, the lanes are full with a long waiting list. On weekends reservations are usually needed. Prices start at $3.50 per game.

Owners Derrick and Karen Brundage wanted to bring something unique to the Main Street area of Spanish Forks. They felt duckpin bowling would be a good fit.

Watch the YouTube video online at or checkout their website.

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Its Official – Tacoma Loves Duckpin Bowling

Just over one year after its official opening, Ocean5 is proof that west coasters will take to duckpin bowling. The environmentally friendly, award winning facility opened in Gig Harbor, a suburb of Tacoma, Washington. Highly successful, it can even be difficult to get into the venue on many weekends.

There are 16 bowling lanes in the public space, 8 of them are duckpin. They also have two private party areas; one with 4 duckpin lanes and the other with 2 tenpin lanes. As with the tenpin lanes, the duckpin lanes are regulation and use the Qubica/AMF string machines. The approaches are just a bit shorter than standard and do require bowling shoes. According to an interview the owner Troy Alstead, former chief operating officer at Starbucks, the duckpin lanes are very popular at all hours and evenings will usually require a reservation.

Ocean5 is 57,000 square feet and offers a large arcade, laser tag, and has a bar and a restaurant that has won numerous awards already for its food. The owners have applied for LEEDS certification for the building since it was designed and built to be environmentally friendly. It is estimated that the facility is so energy efficient that it saves enough energy to power 35 homes.

Alstead’s also behind an affiliated restaurant called Table 47, a 300-seat restaurant features upscale food in a casual environment and is in the same complex.

Get more information at https://www.o5social.com.
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Catalina Island ducks? Why not?

The Three Palms Arcade on Catalina Island has four lanes of mini-duckpin bowling for their guests. String pinsetters with slightly thinner pins sit at the end of short lanes (about 30 feet) and formal approaches. From the photos its obvious bowling shoes are not required.

The arcade even offers leagues and from the schedule on their website, seem to do a decent little business with that. Next time you visit sunny California, head out to the island for a bit and wander by to take a gander at the lanes.

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