Do you think the Williamsburg population loves the Spin Doctors ironically, or unironically at this point? Like, probably some of the people who moved in to the fancy waterfront condos brought Pocket Full of Kryptonite with them, right? Either way, the Spin Doctors are coming for you, Brooklyn, with a show at Brooklyn Bowl where they'll play that very album in its entirety. more ›

As bassist in the love 'em or hate 'em rock band Phish, Mike Gordon plays the part as if he's sent straight out of Central Casting. Gordon's role in the quartet is the quintessential subdued, foundation of rhythm; on stage he rarely smiles or moves from his spot between muumuu-clad drummer Jon Fishman and gleeful guitar fiend Trey Anastasio. That's not to say that Gordon's bass work isn't outstanding, because it is, but there's never any doubt that Phish is Anastasio's band. So after over two decades playing Derek Smalls to Anastasio's Nigel Tufnel, it's interesting to watch the bassist take charge of his own crew, which he did with confident zeal at Brooklyn Bowl over the course of two nights earlier this week. more ›

Last night Snoop Dogg played a show at Brooklyn Bowl (review to come in this Friday's Week in Rock post). Following his set, we somehow found ourselves ringing in 4/20 with the man himself on his bus. Pictured is our very own Ben—who only got a contact high (fact: Snoop's entourage was fresh out of rolling papers). So right now it's 4:20 on 4/20, brahs, what are you doing to celebrate? Because we know you are celebrating—The Daily Beast has given NYC a high toke rating, with the borough of Manhattan alone coming in at number three. more ›

Obama's gutterballs (and Special Olympics analogy) were a source of embarrassment on the campaign trail in '08, so last night when Mayor Bloomberg hit Brooklyn's trendiest bowl spot he kept his scores secret. Brooklyn Bowl closed down to host the mayor, along with Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and several city agency heads, reports the Advance. "It was really a good team-building event," said FDNY Commissioner Sal Cassano, who scored 126 in one game. "We all weren't that good," he joked. When the mayor took off around 10:30, Kelly stuck around, scoring 86 in one game and 106 in another. A spokewoman wouldn't say how the mayor fared, but she did disclose that city sheriff Lindsay Eason was among the evening's big winners. more ›

It's been almost a year since Peter Shapiro, the jamband impresario who formerly operated the beloved progressive nightclub Wetlands during its final years, opened Brooklyn Bowl, an audaciously massive concert, bowling, and dining venue in an old Williamsburg warehouse. Shapiro and his partner Charley Ryan sunk millions into the LEED-certified project, which brings together live music and bowling under one roof, often simultaneously. Visiting Brooklyn Bowl on any given night gives the impression that their gamble paid off; the lanes are packed; the menu, by Blue Ribbon, is comfort-food gold; and most bands seem delighted by the bifurcated space, which provides them with a dancing, general admission crowd at their feet and 16 lanes of bowling off stage left. (The sound is also stellar.) more ›

For his third review as the chief dining critic for the New York Times, Sam Sifton strays far from the usual fine dining galaxy occupied by first-string critics, keeping his street cred with an enthusiastic review of Imperial Palace, in Flushing, Queens. Sifton insists, "The Palace is riding high, at the zenith of Cantonese cooking in New York City... it is possible to eat brilliantly there, in the manner of an improvised Cantonese banquet. It is not a formal restaurant nor in any way a perfect one; service can be slapdash, particularly if you speak no Chinese. But the cooking is extremely sophisticated." Sifton also blows the cover on Rocky Sullivan's Friday night lobster feast in Red Hook, catered by the Red Hook Lobster Pound, calling it "worth a detour." more ›

Click through to read about Kidrockers, Cruel Black Dove, Bridges & Powerlines, this year's Gothamist House, and a CMJ Fail at Brooklyn Bowl. more ›

Lebowski Fest rolled into town this week for three nights instead of the usual two, and it was probably one night too many. On Tuesday, there was a concert and screening of the Coen brothers comic masterpiece at Terminal 5, followed Wednesday by a bowling and costume extravaganza at Lucky Strike, and then... some sort of awkward what-have-you last night at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg. By all accounts, the blowout at Lucky Strike was (like last year) the main event, attracting the most dedicated fans and creative costumes. more ›

Brooklyn Bowl has been open for a while now, and for the most part receiving favorable reviews... until Bloomberg News paid a visit, that is. While the establishment has fancy foods and couches, unlike the still-preferable Gutter, their writer points out that it may just be the ESPN Zone of Hipsterburg, complete with "barbecue-sauced balls." Being draped in leather couches and flat screen televisions comes with a price, of course, and the piece focuses on what they call lazy comfort food with a Times Square price tag. One menu item that isn't really fit for this economic climate is the $13 milkshake; it contains whatever a normal milkshake would, with the added ingredients of Nutella and whiskey (what, no truffles and gold flakes?). Sounds good, tastes good, but as the writer points out, "a $13 milkshake can’t be right. Leave my junk-food prices alone." Okay, so maybe Fred Flintstone wouldn't bowl here, but would you? more ›

The folks behind Brooklyn Bowl have been sinking lots of money and time into their ambitious bowling alley/rock venue/restaurant hybrid, and the grand unveiling is coming soon...hopefully. The massive space boasts a 600 person capacity for concerts, 16 lanes, a stellar sound system (remember this place is brought to you by the Wetlands guys), a menu including french bread pizzas and burgers from Blue Ribbon, dining tables made out of old bowling lanes and aesthetic touches by one of the designers of Dressler. more ›

Earlier this month news of Brooklyn Bowl opening in Williamsburg started to spread. The bowling alley, located over by The Gutter and right next to the Brooklyn Brewery, is also a venue, and has promised to offer up some grub once they open in the fall. So far former Wetlands owner Peter Shapiro and manager Charley Ryan, who are opening the joint, have been hush hush about the dining options at the place, but now Eater reports that they'll have "a full Blue Ribbon menu." The downside? The menu might only be served in the VIP section, which (if true) would seriously harsh the vibe, Wetlands dudes. more ›

Last year a NY Times article announced that former Wetlands owner Peter Shapiro and manager Charley Ryan were opening up a 20,000-square-foot bowling alley/performance space in Williamsburg called Brooklyn Bowl. Gowanus Lounge now reports that the alley will be ready to open as early as this fall...and it will be conveniently located nearby Williamsburg's only other bowling alley! more ›