Vernon Lanes

Stop by for a bowling-pin-shaped Budweiser. (Credit: Joanna Richards)

Vernon Lanes is a gem of a hangout spot, tucked away on Story Avenue in Butchertown. There's bowling and beer, but the best reason to go is the atmosphere. Two brown-and-white splotched concrete pigs, ringed with droops of concrete fat, lounge on either side of the parking lot entrance, hinting at the character within.

The Vernon was built in 1886 and claims to be the oldest bowling alley in Louisville. It is a kind of retro-futuristic vision, as if a 1970s interior decorator had been hired to design a spaceship. Molded plastic furnishings gleam with candy-coated perfection in peachy-orange, turquoise and cream. Chrome glints from the sides of high tables and stools facing the modest spread of eight bowling lanes. The dark-blue psychedelic carpet in the lobby sports big geometric designs, like light sabers cutting through a dark sci-fi night. A candy bar vending machine, some arcade games and a bowling ball buffer complete the picture.

A friend and I headed to Vernon Lanes a little after 10 p.m. on a recent weeknight. The league players had cleared out and the place was empty save for an affable manager who pointed to the bottled beers lined above the bar.

The cheaper offerings ($2.50) included the usual domestics like Pabst Blue Ribbon and Bud Light. Pricier bottles ($3.50) include selections from Dos Equis, Negra Modelo and Corona, plus numerous other respectable options like Newcastle, Stella Artois, Red Stripe and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. Wine coolers and malt beverages like Smirnoff Ice and Mike's Hard Lemonade are also available. A handful of draught beers are $2 and $3.

My friend and I changed into bowling shoes and hit a lane for some lousy but amusing attempts at bowling until the place closed at 11 p.m. As we were paying our tab, I took note of the cheap and extensive snack bar menu, which includes the usual hamburgers, fries and pizza, but also veggie burgers, tater tots and Kizito cookies -- good with beer and bowling, for my tastes. Fried bologna sandwiches are $2 and a single pickle is 50 cents.

Meanwhile, a downstairs space has been converted into an ersatz nightclub, complete with a bar and stage for live music, but the venue has struggled to draw a crowd, in part because the business is not yet licensed to sell cocktails.

The Vernon's summer hours are tricky; occasionally, the entire venue closes for a private party, so it's best to call ahead. Generally, it's open 5 to 11 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday and Friday. Saturday hours are 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. And please note: Bowling leagues take over between 7 and 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, if that affects your plans.

Bowling is $3.50 per person per game, $2.50 on Wednesdays after 10 p.m. Go to www.vernonclub.com for more information.

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