Bar Scene: Splitsville

(Credit: Elizabeth Atkins)

Photos:

Flashed at Splitsville in Channelside

The Street Team enjoyed a Friday night at Splitsville in...

Throw all of your preconceived notions about bowling alleys away; Splitsville manages to transform the sport, usually reserved for middle-schoolers and balding, middle-aged men, to a hip activity for 20-somethings.   

The scene: Set smack in the middle of the Channelside district, Splitsville is in a great location for anyone wanting to bar hop. You definitely won’t miss the entrance; there’s a huge bowling pin out front, right next to the small patio seating area. Inside, half the venue is taken up by sleek bowling lanes, and the other half by a modern bar and restaurant. There is even a modest dance floor, which gets so crowded on Friday and Saturday nights that the wait staff says they can’t even get to the tables tucked behind it.

The décor: Splitsville has done the seemingly impossible and made bowling alleys cool again. It seems the key to making this work is all in the décor. Dark lighting, purple and red themes, and circular booths next to the lanes make bowling seem almost sexy. High top tables are interspersed between the bar and the lanes, and provide an excellent view if you want to watch the bowlers. There are also plenty of big-screen TVs for sports nights. This venue is hip and chic, and if it weren’t for the constant clatter of pins knocking over, you would hardly believe you were in a bowling alley.

The drinks: Splitsville has a great selection of martinis, beers, and all the usual favorites, but what people really come for are the giant 64oz bowl drinks. At a whopping $22 each, they certainly aren’t the most economical choice, but split amongst a few friends they are a tasty and refreshing treat. We sampled the voodoo juice bowl, a sweet concoction of dark, pineapple, banana, orange, and coconut rums, mixed with cranberry, orange, and pineapple juice. It didn’t taste strong, but there was something supremely satisfying about sucking down that bright orange drink from such a huge glass.

The damage: A night out at Splitsville could cost you big, or it could be cheap, depending on how you want to make it happen. The good news is there’s never a cover, so if you just want to dance, it’s totally free. And bowling isn’t too bad, either; just $4.95, or $5.95 on Friday and Saturday after 6pm. Shoe rentals are $2.95. Splitsville also has a great food menu, which runs anywhere between $4 for some fries to $19 for filet mignon. Martinis are $9 to $12, and beers are right around $4.

Insider tip: Parking at Channelside sucks, and can be really expensive if you don’t know what you’re doing. Use the parking garage, and make sure to take your chip coin inside with you to get validated – otherwise you’ll spend more on parking then you will on bowling.

The bottom line: Although bowling is the main event at Splitsville, there is definitely something for everyone. If wielding 12-pound balls isn’t your thing, grab a pizza at one of the tables. Not hungry? Sit back and enjoy a giant bowl drink. Want to shoot some pool? There are plenty of tables spread throughout the room to choose from. Need to get your grove on? Then head out to the dance floor. No matter what you’re in the mood for, this versatile venue can most definitely provide.   

Splitsville

615 Channelside Dr # 120
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 514-2695

http://www.splitsvillelanes.com/

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