Honolulu Weekly

Despite the proliferation of Will Ferrell in sports comedies, the one genre that shall probably remain unsullied is bowling, and that’s thanks to the Coen brothers 1998 film The Big Lebowski.

Bowling as a sport is ripe for parody, and indeed has been used, usually resulting in gutterballs (Kingpin and Mystery Men come into frame). But The Big Lebowski, while critically panned and considered a flop at the box office, became a cult classic, and may well be single factor that revitalized a sport that was near extinction, save for the hardcore purist. If nothing else, it gave credence to the line, “Fuck it, dude. Let’s go bowling.”

Four years after the film’s release, fans in Kentucky started the Lebowski Fest, which has spread to other major metropolitan areas, including New York, Las Vegas, Seattle and San Francisco. It hasn’t reached Hawaii (yet), but if and when it does, one thing is for certain—it will happen at ‘Aiea Bowl.

Not that it needs to resort to those gimmicks—brothers Glenn and Gregg Uyeda have one of their own, having combined a restaurant with a nightclub that just happens to be located in a bowling alley. Come during the day and prices are reasonable, but make a night out of it, and be prepared for the privilege. People regularly wait two hours or more on a Friday night to spend $25 per hour, many dressed up like they should be shaking it at the club, constantly tugging down on their outfits.

At no time is that more obvious than during the“Her Way Thursdays” promotion, featuring the scantily-clad “Alley Cats,” wherein the staff serves its customers in outfits more suited to 24-hour adult stores than a family-friendly sports venue. Women bowl for free on these nights, but it caters to men.

Drink specials vary depending on the night of your visit, but the biggest sellers revolve around a near-constant stream of orders for Bud Light, Heineken and Crown Royal, clutched in plastic cups held by hands with wrists adorned with paper bands (those of age need to get these from the front doorman, which the majority of the crowd—including our group—skipped and then had to return for, having to navigate past the throngs of people).

Then there’s the entertainment provided from the DJs and host “The Fly Guy Urusai.” First impressions would think these touches are superfluous, mere distractions punctuated by the sound of pins and morals dropping, but observe for long enough and you’ll witness crowds dancing along to the songs laid down by DJs like Brandon Lee, Mike D, Rick Rock and Tak Tik.

While foregoing the standard alley fare such as corn dogs, the late night menu still relies on staples such as pizza and garlic fries, though be warned, the garlic ratio is high enough to throw off whatever game you may have. All told, if you’re willing to try something different than the standard night scene, the ‘Aiea Bowl abides.

‘Aiea Bowl

99-115 ‘Aiea Heights Dr., Suite 310

Getting in: 9am–2am

Dress code: The whites, in all permutations of the term

Soundtrack: Run DMC, Britney Spears

Signature drink: Bud Light, Crown and Coke