Tired of the same old New Year’s Resolutions? Get in shape, eat better, stop smoking, get off heroin – always the same old stuff. How about something new in 2009 – something like “have more fun”? Well, look no further than Denver's historic Elitch Lanes bowling alley.
Never bowled before? No worries. Remember, the goal is to have fun. Everybody throws a few gutter balls now and then – and nobody’s looking. The object of bowling is pretty simple – roll a ball down a lane and try to knock down as many pins as you can. But as simple as it sounds, it’s anything but boring.
And if one of your resolutions is to cut down on your spending, you’ve come to the right sport. Bowling is one of the few affordable sports left – no special outfits or equipment required – so you can bowl as often as you want. The shoes you need are available for rent at the lanes, and balls are supplied – so all you need to do is bring yourself.
Elitch Lanes has lots of specials, too, so let’s get this party started and find out all about them after the jump.
Monday’s special is Bowl Your Butts Off – any three hours of bowling is just $7, and shoes are included. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 p.m. to close, check out Quarter Mania, with an entry fee of $5 and 25 cent games, shoes, and hot dogs. And Wednesday (except New Year’s Eve) is College Nite from 8 p.m. to close, with $1 games, $1 shoes, and $1 drafts, and you don’t have to be a college student – or even look like one – to partake. If you’d rather bowl at another time, regular bowling prices are $2.95 per game and $3.50 shoe rental before 6 p.m., and $4.50 a game and $3.50 shoe rental after 6 p.m. Call Elitch Lanes for reservations so you know you’ll have a lane when you arrive.
If you decide to take your bowling to the next level, get a group of friends together and try out the Pizza & Beer League. Teams of four can choose from Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday night, with leagues starting in January, May, and September. For $12 per person, each team gets a large pizza and a pitcher of soda or beer, along with three games of bowling per team member. You can also schedule a birthday party or corporate party at Elitch Lanes. There are various party packages to choose from, so make your next party something unique, with some real fun that your guests will actually remember.
Why choose Elitch Lanes? First of all, it’s locally owned and operated, rather than a corporate entity. And you always know what you’re going to get. “We don’t change programs,” says owner Cal Eikenger. “We’ve had the same programs for six and a half years. And guess what? We don’t change hours of operation. We’ve had the same hours of operation for six and a half years. And we’ve had almost the same staff for six and a half years. It’s consistency.” Plus, Elitch Lanes is gay friendly, so you know you’ll be welcomed and treated right. And it’s a great place to take a date.
Friendly, knowledgeable staff, regular hours, consistent specials, and affordable fun – what more could you want? And fun is your new resolution, right?
So why start the year out with a strike against you – the same old resolution that you know you’re going to break – when you can start the year out with a strike in your favor and money to spare. Start the year out at Elitch Lanes, and support the local businesses that support you.
