![]() ![]() In the Summer of 2004 renovations were made to update things such as automatic scoring, new lanes and equipment and upgrades to the building and its amenities. Then in 2003 the City of Chicago dropped the eminent domain suit and it was decided by the owners and family, with talks to the alderman concerning it continued status that if Fireside was to continue over the long term it needed to get back to its roots of bowling.Īn episode of WBEZ's Curious City series details the Fireside's time as a punk venue from 1994 to 2004. As time went on and the neighborhood changed neighbors became increasingly more vocal about the live music acts. For the next several years the cloud of eminent domain hung over Fireside, but it continued to host shows promoted by Brian Peterson and Dave Eaves. Gradually, more and more shows were held there until 1999 when the City of Chicago wanted to expand the nearby Haas Park. However, music was now the primary focus. There was still bowling on a few nights, in particular the Bucktown Bowling & Drinking League made up of several nearby taverns Bob Inn, Mickey's, Harp & Shamrock and The web took to the lanes every Monday night as they had been doing for many years. While the bowling lanes were used less and less, music was filling in on more nights. The neighborhood was getting rough and business slowed so Fireside began to showcase live music on a part-time basis in 1994. As the neighborhood changed and Fireside fell into disrepair Lapinski handed the establishment to his son Jim. From 1971 until 1990 Lapinski operated it as a thriving bowling alley. Lapinski and McGuire operated it together until 1971 when Lapinski bought out McGuire. The Fireside Bowl was owned and operated by Hank Sophie until 1966 when Rich Lapinski and Alec "Mac" McGuire bought the bowling alley from an ailing Hank Sophie. In 1956, Fireside was expanded by four lanes bringing the total to 16, and both AMF's Magic Triangles and 82-30 automatic pinspotters were installed at the same time. It started life as a 12-lane pin-boy bowling alley and thrived throughout the 1940s and 1950s. In the summer of 1941 renovations began and the owner Hank Sophie converted it into a bowling alley, cashing-in on the bowling craze that began in mid-20th century America. The building was an ice factory in its early days. JSTOR ( October 2014) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Ĥ1★5′29.94″N 87☄1′38.85″W / 41.9249833°N 87.6941250°W / 41.9249833 -87.6941250įireside Bowl (or Fireside) is a bowling alley and music venue established in the 1940s, located at 2648 West Fullerton Ave in Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois.Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.įind sources: "The Fireside Bowl" – news Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. And when the time comes, I’ll be ready with a gallon of hand sanitizer and my very own pairs of shoes and skates, just to be safe.This article needs additional citations for verification. Soon enough, I’ll be fishtailing around Fleetwood Roller Rink. In the not-too-distant future I’ll be rolling strikes again. ![]() But for now, Fireside Bowl’s doors remain open (with the proper precautions in place), and once I’m all vaxxed up it’ll be one of my first stops to make sure it stays that way. ![]() And it’s not hard to imagine why-there hasn’t been the same urgency to save recreational spots as there has been for bars, restaurants, and venues, not to mention the “sticking your fingers into holes other people have stuck their fingers into” of it all. Some speculate that bowling alleys might not survive the pandemic. Every glimpse of a four-wheeled skate gave me butterflies followed by a deep longing to be sailing in circles under a disco ball to 80s tunes with a rink full of people. Over the summer, the lakefront trail, parks, and sidewalks were full of skaters in shades and headphones, some skillfully weaving through crowded paths, others slowly scooting and trying their best not to wipe out. Roller skating at least took on a life of its own in the past year, thanks in part to viral TikToks and humanity’s desire to discover as many new hobbies to distract them as possible. ![]() Still, I miss the lanes at Fireside Bowl, the snack bar at the Fleetwood Roller Rink, the camaraderie and sense of athleticism that both activities afford to even the most sedentary indoor kids. Just thinking about being in a bowling alley or a roller rink incites a scent memory of greasy foods, stale beer, sweaty socks-I can practically smell the germs. Will we ever rent shoes again? It’s a required act for two of my favorite activities, one that feels downright irresponsible in a post-pandemic, hyper. Best of Chicago 2023: Music & Nightlife.Best of Chicago 2023: Sports & Recreation. ![]()
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