Knock Some Pins Down

One thing that New York doesn't have in excess...bowling allies. There are a couple of options in the city itself - Chelsea Piers Bowl, Bowlmor Lanes and Leisure Time Bowling Center in Port Authority. Chelsea Piers and Bowlmor tend to be expensive and lane waits are ridiculously long (not to mention drink prices). The clientele at the Port Authority option can get a bit sketchy. Brooklyn offers more options, but they are usually farther out in the borough. After a youth in New Jersey, one can (now and again) get the insatiable yen to knock some pins down.

I recently discovered The Gutter in Williamsburg. The feel is like your mom's 1970's den, but the taps offer a moderate selection. It's not as luxurious and trendy as Bowlmor Lanes, but comfy and much less annoying. The space is split between a bar and an 8 lane bowling alley. Currently, they do not take reservations, but you can put your lane bid in once you get there. Lanes are $6 per person per game during happy hour and $7 per person per hour thereafter. Shoe rentals are a necessity and will run you $4 per pair. They do not offer food, as of yet, but have a plentiful portfolio of take-out menus that will deliver. Nothing like pizza, beer and a good bowl. Weekends get a bit crowded, but it's the perfect weeknight after-work spot. All in all, The Gutter is a perfect cure for the same old evening activities.

The Gutter, 200 North 14th Street, Williamsburg
Monday - Thursday 4pm - 4am and Friday - Sunday 12pm - 4am

The Last Days of Lido

Adored by the Happy Hour gangs of Red Hook, Lido became a local favorite for its 2-for-1 drink deal, among other things. With $2 PBR’s, a pool table and karaoke on Friday nights, anyone in the vicinity of Columbia Street knew that it was the perfect dive bar. Unfortunately, not enough people knew about it. Red Hook hasn't seemed to blow up as much as everyone expected a year or two ago. Sure, lots of life has sprung up in the area, but not enough.

Earlier this week, patrons sat and enjoyed their PBR cans while movers disassembled the pool table and unhooked the jukebox. “I guess by Friday there will just be whatever alcohol is left and bar stools,” one bewildered patron said. I have fond memories of Lido, one night in particular stands out in my mind. It involves lots of Jameson and a kick-ass karaoke rendition of “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi.

Today is the last day that Lido will be open. They are closing their doors after so many games of Big Buck Hunter and classic rock jukebox selections. Take a hop on by if you can and dump some cheap beer on the floor for your homies.

Lido, 200 Columbia Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn RIP

'Celebrity Apprentice' Invades Brooklyn

The Donald's troupe of D-lister's have come to our fair borough. Celebrity Apprentice filmed an episode of highly anticipated cheese in Red Hook, Brooklyn today. As reported on TMZ.com, the line-up included: Omarosa (reality television whore), Vinny Pastore ("Big Pussy"), Stephen Baldwin (from the shallow end of the Baldwin gene pool), Marilu Henner (TV movie maven)...and the list goes on. Of course, the filming was behind closed doors and kept very hush hush. The D-list divas straggled in at various times during the long shoot day. Most actually came very late into the shoot. Who was a bitch and who was a bigger bitch? More details to follow...