Charlotte NC to Welcome Duckpin Back to the City

Pinhouse, a self-serve taproom offering the entertainment version of duckpin bowling is scheduled to open on this Saturday, July 27. The business has taken over the old Midwood Cleaners building in Plaza Midwood and transformed it into an adult social destination.

With 6,036 square feet across two stories, they will have self-serve 70+ taps using the iPourIt system, Pinhouse will have four duckpin lanes on the lower level. The business will not have a kitchen, but will have a food truck located on-site.

This region of North Carolina was once a duckpin powerhouse of bowlers and bowling centers. However, when the last remaining center closed in Kings Mountain, bowlers had no options left that didn’t involve hours of travel. While this is not the regulation duckpin bowling that many know and love, it might be enough to provide some satisfaction to those that have not bowled for years.

Charlotte Magazine – First Look: Pinhouse, a Self-Serve Taproom with Duckpin Bowling

July 25, 2019 0

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.

July 12, 2019 0

Of Duckpins and Destinies – a Rubberband Duckpin Documentary

Andy Kelemen put together this 8 minute short documenting a group of rubberband duckpin bowlers in the Pittsburgh area. View it free on Vimeo.

Of Duckpins and Destinies

May 25, 2019 0