I have a trio of sneak peaks for you today! Let's start with the Shelter, a new bar/entertainment venue downtown that will be opening to the public next Thursday, March 26.
The Shelter is located in the former Woolworth Building on First and Virginia. The venue takes up the entire basement-level of the building. It will double as a family-friendly fun center and sports bar during the day, and a nightclub/bar at night complete with dance floor, and of course bowling.
The bowling alley itself is one of the nicer public bowling alleys in town, with what I'd call 'petite' bowling lanes that are shorter than the traditional lanes at Starlight Bowl. The alley is equiped with video screens, TV projections on the backwall and the latest in ball retrieval systems. There's ample plush padded bench seating in the bowling alley area, plenty of bowling balls to choose from, and a place to check in your shoes and get bowling shoes.
The bar is really nice as well. I'm nick-naming it the 'Sparkle Bar' because it has color-changing lighting built right into the bar-top. Flat screens line either side of the bar.
When I took a tour, much of the lighting was turned off or not ready, so if the photos seem a bit dark in the bar area, that's why.
Overall I was impressed, and the decor definitely plays into the fall-out shelter theme.
Assuming Jamy Keshmiri tops this place off with great drinks and a friendly staff, I think the venue will be successful primarily because it offers a new fun social activity to do downtown well-suited for families during the day on the weekends, and college kids and urbanites at night. It opens next Thursday!
Looks awesome! The outside of the building needs help tho. Would've been nice to see it on the first floor ( ground level) with big windows. But whatever, looks great anyway.