
University of South Carolina Aiken sophomore Patrick Kaney, 18, of North Augusta, bowls during the first hour of the Bowlapalooza at Brunswick National Lanes on Washington Road. (Andrew Davis Tucker/Staff)
Midnight hour brings bowlers out to lanes
A spin on cosmic bowling, Bowlapalooza combines black lights and a low price. The lanes and bowling balls glow while laser lights, upbeat music and free-flowing Bud Light add to the atmosphere.
For $9.95, you can bowl as much as you want, and you don't have to fret aboutshoes because that's included in the price.
Dean Rose, Brunswick's general manager, said Bowlapalooza began about a year and a half ago. On a usual Monday night, lanes are filled.
Every other Monday, Augustans Chris Harden, 30, Sylvester Rosier, 22, and Seth Giddens, 26, check out Bowlapalooza. The friends pass around a makeshift trophy, a little medallion, to the winner with the highest score for the night, Mr. Harden said.
"We come out here for the fact that we like the cosmic bowling," he said.
University of South Carolina Aiken sophomore Patrick Kaney and 19-year-old Sarah Circle said Bowlapalooza is all about spending time with friends. "It's fun and it keeps me out of trouble," Mr. Kaney said, laughing. "We get a bunch of friends up here and have fun."
Ms. Circle, who's been bowling since she was 8 and bowls competitively, scores a 200 most nights. She contends the lighthearted atmosphere is the attraction of Bowlapalooza. "To me, when I go to a tournament it's competition, but when we come out here, it's for fun," she said.
- The Place: Brunswick National Lanes, 3067 Washington Road
Phone: 860-1667
- The Place: Family Bowl, 1100 Park Ave., S.E., Aiken
Phone: (803) 648-9227
- The Place: AMF Masters Lanes, 1810 Gordon Highway
Phone: 733-3624