Travelling back-seat in a remarkably clean American made vehicle our party enters West Grand, an aging neighborhood just outside of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Yes readers, Michigan! West Grand is situated on the western side of the Grand River, hence its name. We exit the vehicle onto a small, once bustling thoroughfare. Located on Leonard Street, tucked across from Advanced Auto Parts and Northwestern Home Furnishing, lies Wenger’s Bowl.
At first sight there is no clear indication that this establishment is an actual bowling alley. Los Angeles alleys are mammoth, gargantuan, stand-alone structures that demand attention. Wenger’s is the opposite. Small, unadorned, with a dive-bar like entrance, there is nothing delineating that a bowling alley is found within.
Eight identical lanes are situated in a cozy and welcoming space. These lanes are a replica of the eight below! There is also an intimate dance floor next to large windows overlooking Leonard Street, so you can boogie while checking out the action below. A double-decker bowling alley, your Bandit is bewildered, mesmerized, and awestruck. Bowling alleys like this simply do not exist in Los Angeles.
Upon inspection of the decor it becomes clear that Miller-Time is spoken here. A saturation of Miller, Miller-Lite, Miller Genuine Draft, and Miller High-Life posters cover the walls. In another new Mid-Western twist, Miller High-Life Light is on tap. As though the “champagne of beers” needed a lighter version...Bandit digresses.
On to the bowling, where the classic Brunswick Gold emblem with 70’s pattern holds the back wall. An above ground ball return and crisp lanes keep the bowling moving. Scores are tallied on first generation IBM green-screen computers, proving that Americans need not upgrade devices every three seconds to “keep up” with technology (written as Bandit spots no fewer than seven glowing MacBook Pros in the local coffee shop, of which one [wince] belongs to this Bandit).
As for the scores, your Bandit spent the afternoon in the gutter behind his Midwestern counterparts. Shout-out to R, who came within one mark of breaking 200! Tally of scores below.
A quick word about Wenger’s food, beverages, and prices. A number of delicacies are offered, all cooked up by the auto-fry machine behind the bar (none were sampled). A well-equipped Jägermeister machine serves straight shots ($4.50) and Jägerbombs ($5), which are a shot of Jäger plus a splash of Monster Energy Drink, for those who dare. Bud Light, Miller Light, Rolling Rock, Miller High Life Light and both Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy and Sunset Wheat are on tap, all at reasonable prices. Bowling games run around $3 a pop with shoe rental at $2. Unbelievable weekly specials include dollar-games and shoe rental on Fridays from noon-5p and again on “Wild Wednesdays” from 10p-close.
Our roundup, established in 1942 by Al Wenger this alley epitomizes the bowler’s dream. If Lebowski lived in Grand Rapids, Wenger’s would be his hang. Since its establishment ownership has changed a number of times and now rests in the able hands of AJ Purdum. As Mr. Purdum attests on his Facebook page, “Everything I have in life is because of bowling and I make sure I give back every chance I get.” With an ownership statement like that it is easy to see why Wenger’s Bowl remains a Grand Rapids institution.
Circling back to our opening query, the answer explodes forth with the resounding crack of ball against pins: No, there is never a bad time to go bowling.
Wenger's Bowl
629 Leonard Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 454-4482
Hours and Prices
Open Daily at 10am
Shoes: $2
Games: $1-$3
