Splitsville - Home of Melanie Wallace

Polished Up Bowling
Enjoy old-fashioned fun with a spiffed-up sport
By Melanie Wallace
W
alking into Splitsville feels
somewhat like walking into a
mid-century
entertainment
complex. With colorful retro
décor and lively music, it is a
bowling alley, but it can hardly be limited
to that single activity. Once visitors take in
the lights and sounds of more than 25,000
square feet of indoor excitement, they can
choose from bowling, pool, shuffleboard,
or they can sit back and simply relax with
friends at the full-scale restaurant and bar.
Long gone is the old bowling alley with
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geometric shapes on the patterned carpet and smoke-stained
walls. Splitsville promises to “bring back the luster into one
of America’s pastimes – bowling!”
Splitsville has locations in Fairview, Tampa, Miami, and
Fredricksburg, Virginia, (and coming in December 2012
– Downtown Disneyworld.) Each was the brainchild of a
small group of partners, including Scott Wilkinson. “When
we decided to start Splitsville, we thought, ‘What can we
do to make bowling better?’” said Wilkinson. “We wanted
more than a place for snacks and bowling. We envisioned
a place for both adults and children, where people could
spend time having fun,” said Wilkinson, who opened the
McKinney Chamber
•
September 2011
Fairview location in
December of last
year.
There are a total
of 17 lanes, but
four of those are
reserved for private
parties. Upon arrival,
the hostesses greet you
from a booth of shoes in
the center of the room.
Once properly outfitted
with your bowling shoes,
your group heads to a large
ultra-comfortable booth. You
are greeted by a server who
remains with your group for your
entire visit, providing courteous
personal service. The electronic
scoring machine makes even novice
bowlers appreciate its simplicity.
The late-night happy hour runs Monday through Thursday
from 9 – 11 p.m., and that’s not including the daily happy
hour Monday through Sunday from 4 – 7 p.m. There are eight
beers on draft, and a delicious menu of house specialties called
“Frozen Schooners.” Drinks like Long Island Iced Tea, Hurricane,
and “Jolly Rancher” (Sobieski Cytron, DeKuyper Watermelon
Pucker, sour mix, and Sprite) are served in 18-ounce frostyOpposite: Whether you want to bowl, play shuffleboard or pool, or just
share a drink with friends and watch the action, Splitsville has the perfect
spot for you. Left: The spacious booths have a “retro” feel. Below: Colorful
decor, electronic scoring machines and personal service enhance the total
Splitsville experience. Photos courtesy of Splitsville.
After 9 p.m., the facility caters to
those 21 and over. The festivities
get exciting with black light bowling,
MTV on the screens, and live bands
outside on the patio every Friday
and Saturday night.
Presented by
City of McKinney
Friday
Saturday
Sept. 23 Sept. 24
4 p.m.-11 p.m.
10 a.m.-11 p.m.
.. to you by:
Brat
Historic Downtown McKinney
www.downtownmckinney.com • 972-547-2660
McKinney Chamber
•
September 2011
mckinneymagazine.com
39
stemmed glasses. In addition to the tasty libations, the night
owls can enjoy an open kitchen until late.
Guests under 21 have many attractions suited for them as well.
Remember the old-fashioned root beer float?
Children love this refreshing sweet treat served
in a big 18-ounce frozen schooner glass. Another
big hit are the ‘Icees’, children can choose from a
variety of flavors.
All children ages 1-99 will surely enjoy taking a
peek at the pin-setting machine at the rear of
the alley. Those with a curious mind can watch
through a glass window as the machine uses its
dozens of pulleys and cranks to pick up the pins
and set them back into the lane. This feast for
the eyes settles once and for all generations of
disputes how the pins are actually cleared and
replaced.
If you are looking for a place to gather the
alumni club and watch college football, you can’t
beat Splitsville as a venue. With 54 screens and
one large eight-foot projection screen, there are
no bad seats in the house.
an appealing children’s menu. Many patrons take advantage of the
full buffet, featuring entrees such as chicken parmesan and mahi
mahi with voodoo shrimp.
Aside from the classic sporting fare of greasy snacks and draft beer,
Splitsville chefs prepare fresh sushi and hand-tossed pizzas. There
is an extensive selection of sliders and salads available, as well as
HEATHER ASTUTO
If you are seeking an entertaining venue
for your child’s next birthday party, look no
further. Private parties are welcomed with an
impressive eight-foot marquee inside the front
door, delivering a personal message to the guest
of honor. Children are made to feel like VIPs
when they see two private separate bowling
lanes dedicated to their group. The lanes have
optional bumpers to keep the tots’ balls rolling
down the lane – not in the gutter. A bowling
ramp is available to help small children guide
the ball in a straight line to the pins. Each
party has a designated hostess making sure the
food is delivered and that everyone is having a
good time. After the children devour their handtossed pizza and cake, the party’s grand finale
comes when a life-sized bowling pin arrives for
LeAnna Bruckner with the Kiwanis
Angel League displays the certificate she “signatures”. All guests sign the bowling pin, and
won during a tournament for children
the birthday honoree keeps it as a souvenir of
with special needs.
the occasion.
Splitsville welcomes adult parties as well. It’s a perfect location for
team-building events, charity fundraisers, sports team celebrations,
and corporate events. The compassionate owners even opened
their doors to groups of special needs children one night a week
last fall. “Those kids had such a good time! They came for about
six weeks, and we were happy to provide complimentary bowling,”
recalls Wilkinson. “We really want to embrace the community.
We want to know our customers and make sure we are offering
everything they want,” said Wilkinson.
With a facility catering just as much to kids as to adults, it’s
no surprise this entertainment center is gaining popularity in
north Texas. Grab your family or your office staff and stop into
Splitsville for some old-fashioned polished-up fun! You won’t be
disappointed. For more information call 972.549.4263 or visit
splitsvillelanes.com.
About the author: Melanie Wallace is a freelance writer and a
frequent contributor to McKinney Magazine.
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McKinney Chamber
•
September 2011