Bowl Like a Boss

Earlier this month, the newly improved Corner Alley reopened its doors to show off the results of a two-month overhaul of the downtown location. With 16 lanes (including a few in a tucked-away corner for groups), two full bars, 24 beers on tap, a dining room with more than 50 seats and three dozen shareable appetizers, snacks, sliders and pizzas, there are a lot of reasons to love the refreshed space. We can't (and probably wouldn't) share our fried fish sliders ($10) here, but if you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, our photo tour is a good place to start. Bowlers waiting for their turn on the lane can take in a game (or four) on overhead high-definition TVs. Floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor patio spaces offer lots of people-watching opportunities. Though the main bowling space is huge, there's more below with a soon-to-open arcade game downstairs. Clean and modern lanes offer stuffed chairs, in-lane food and drink service and vintage tabletop arcade games. Awash in light, a tabletop shuffleboard beckons to a second bar and more secluded lanes. What goes better with bowling than bourbon?  Also find about 18 cocktails, a dozen wines and 60 brews available here.  Bowling lanes can accommodate up to eight bowlers at a time. Friday through Sunday lanes cost $25 per hour before 5 p.m. or $35 per hour after 5. Weekdays are $15 per hour before 5 and $30 per hour after 5. Shoe rental is an additional $3.50 per person or free from 2-6 p.m. The Corner Alley Downtown, 402 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-298-4070, thecorneralley.com; Sun-Thu 11:30 a.m.-midnight, Fri & Sat 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m.

Not that Caddyshack, but still cool ...

We’re a bowling town, as you probably read when picking up our Best of Cleveland issue in October. But turn the corner from East Fourth Street onto Prospect Avenue, and you’ll see that we sure as hell like to golf, too.

The Caddyshack Lounge and Pro Shop, which opened in early March, is kind of like The Corner Alley but with individual golf simulator screens (15-minute and per hour rentals) and Nintendo Wii instead of swanky bowling lanes.

Go there after work Tuesday and Wednesday nights to compete in longest-drive competitions starting at 5, or sing your heart out on Thursday’s karaoke night, which is also Ladies’ Night. (Psst … We hear there’s even a VIP room in back with leather couches, private simulators and a private server for special occasions.)

So grab your gear and tee off downtown at Caddyshack. Besides, bowling was so last year.