The world’s first-known bowler lived 5,000 years ago in Egypt. According to Tenpinbowling.org, his tomb was discovered in the 1930s by British anthropologist Sir Flinders Petrie containing a rudimentary set of pins and balls. Bowling, therefore, predates both voting and Christianity. Here in Eugene, in one of the area’s five different alleys, we have to opportunity to continue this sport’s great tradition for less than $5 a lane.
Firs Bowl, named for the fir tree, is located at 1950 River Road. In the evenings, there is a yellow El Camino parked near the door during men’s league bowling. The hosts Lee Higgs and Peter Nassetta describe the place as “awesome” and “the best in town,” with “close-knit employees.”
“The place feels more like a hang-out than a business,” Higgs said.
“Also, the owner of Emerald Lanes bowls here,” she said, pointing to a man leaning on a counter between frames.
When asked about Firs Bowl, Lee’s husband Kevin Higgs leapt behind the counter and produced an autographed picture of the Oregon Duck mascot bowling at Firs.
“People should bowl here because Donald likes it,” he said.
Firs Bowl has a selection of bottled beers and sandwiches and is open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until midnight on Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Southtowne Lanes, at 2486 Willamette, is a bright, clean alley open late for the college crowd. Southtowne first opened in 1948 in two separate downtown locations named the Rec Center and the U-Bowl, and moved to its current home in the 24th Avenue and Willamette Street business district in the ’70s.
According to hostess Vanessa Braun, students enjoy Southtowne for its “all-ages pool tables, the only ones in town, its classic atmosphere, and the 30 different beers.”
In the early evenings there is city league bowling, but there is open bowl from 9:30 pm. until midnight every day except Tuesday. Regular hours are noon to midnight, and Southtowne is open until 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
On Coburg Road, just across the river and nestled behind a furniture store is 140 Oakway Rd, Emerald Lanes. Forrest, the manager, described it as “the cleanest place in town.”
Emerald lanes is home to league bowling in the evenings and open bowl at night. They have a large selection of bottled microbrews and a kitchen specializing in burgers and fries.
“We also cater to fraternities and housing groups,” Forrest said. “Everybody bowls here. On Saturday nights, we’re packed.”
Emerald lanes is open 8:30 a.m. until 11p.m. weekdays, until midnight Friday and Saturday and 10 p.m. on Sunday.
The strip mall at 1170 Highway 99N is home to an indoor putt-putt golf range, a ’50s diner, and Strike City, lit by a huge cartoon sign of a ball crowned with pins. This newly remodeled alley has a full-service bar in the basement, which makes it the only one-stop place in town for bowling and cocktails.
Strike City owner Sue Nelson says the clientele is “half men, half women, high-school and up, family in the daytime.”
There kitchen offers a “pound of fries – $3.95” special. Friday and
Saturday nights Strike City is open late with cosmic bowling, which is bowling with black lights and music.
Past the pawnshops and car lots of Franklin Boulevard at 924 Main is Springfield’s own Timber Bowl, where the scoreboards, shoes and seats are more rustic than Eugene’s alleys, but add to Timber’s charm.
On league night, the Timber Bowl is hopping with Springfield’s finest bowlers, from high school kids to grandparents. The bar has Budwieser, Bud Light, Coors Light and Widmer’s Hefeweisen on tap and offers chili-cheese nachos.
Timber Bowl is open until midnight every night and opens at 9 a.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends.
Whether you’re on a date, bored with friends, or trying to live out a Big Lebowski fantasy, Eugene has a variety of bowling alleys, each with its own personality to suit your needs.