Bowling and Beer (or Wine)

The will be serving cold ones to bowlers soon, following the recent approval by the Licensing Board for a beer and wine license.

The license actually comes from the – the city reclaimed that license because the Brazilian barbecue (although ultimately the owners never made use of either before closing the business and forfeiting both licenses) – and only costs the Leo brothers about $2,000 when all city and state fees have been paid.

Local attorney Athan Vontzalides appeared before the City Council earlier this fall on behalf of Anthony and Robert Leo to ask for approval to serve alcohol at the bowling alley, which is in a business central district at 63 Foster St.

Alcohol is only allowed by special permit.

Councilors unanimously agreed to grant the special permit, paving the way for an application to the Licensing Board.

There were no plans for a separate bar; rather alcohol would be served behind the main counter along with food. Business hours are 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily with closing time at midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Vontzalides explained that the main reason for adding beer and wine to the menu is simply because bowling itself has lost much of its former appeal as a recreational activity than when the Metro Bowl first opened in 1942. Bowling alleys nationwide have had to do all they can to survive in more recent years.

He said the entire industry has been on a steady decline for 30 years – the Leos actually purchased the business in 1977 and despite the ongoing trend, invested heavily to renovate the entire building in 2009.

Vontzalides said most of the regulars these days bowl competitively in leagues, and most bowling facilities have already made the change to accommodate the older crowd with adult beverages – Metro Bowl is simply trying to keep up with its competitors.

“The [Leos] have already lost two leagues to one of our local communities that allow for the service of beer and wine. In addition, the most common question asked when potential leagues or corporate outings call for reservations is whether or not they have a beer and wine license. When they are told no, the potential patron goes to a facility that does,” Vontzalides said.

He noted that bowling alleys across the North Shore are almost all serving beer and wine now, with in Danvers soon to get its own license as well.

Sunnyside, which is just over the line into Onion Town, originally was one of six applicants for a new all-alcohol license from the town, but , sought a . Selectmen granted the license, and along with the Metro Bowl, the two bowling facilities are just waiting for the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission to sign off on the licenses as well.

City councilor and mayor-elect Ted Bettencourt, who himself bowls in a league at Metro Bowl, said the business is a “staple in the downtown” and that being able to serve beer and wine, just as many other bowling alleys do, would allow the Leos to continue running a successful operation.

You can find the Metro Bowl online and on Facebook.