the Bowlplex

in Tunbridge Wells.
So after our meal at Frankie and Benny’s, about 50 or so kick boxers all walked next door to the Bowlplex. I have never been bowling in my life before, so I was terrified I was going to fall over and make a fool of myself, so I was really pleased when I actually did a strike once!! And I didn’t come last in the group either, so that was a relief.
When I was at school in the 5th year, right after this place had opened, I remember this was the place to be; but there wasn’t a teenager in sight, so that phase had clearly moved on, and they must be stricter with their no under 18s after 8pm policy. I also heard rumours that it was really rough, and always fights and things going on. Well, there was one very rough lady who had a bit of a scuffle with the bouncers, but the general opinion from everyone was that it had really cleaned up there and felt much safer.
As I said, I’ve never been before, so I can’t really compare, but yes, it seemed perfectly safe to me, and there were plenty of security people on hand keeping an eye on things. I was quite surprised at all this, because I’d assumed a bowling alley was one of the most harmless places to go. Obviously this was a bit naïve of me!
Anyway, I don’t know whether all this new security is necessarily a good thing, as there was absolutely no atmosphere to the place, and I felt a bit oppressed (for want of a better word). Perhaps it was being in a large group where no-one really knows anyone that well, but it just didn’t seem like a very happy place to be. And by the time everyone had drunk enough to dance, the dj suddenly started playing really really really shit music. (It didn’t help that the resident old pervs just sat there staring at you.) I just danced to pass the time because I’m not very good at going up to people and starting a conversation – and the people who I’d been bowling with either got totally pissed and started acting like a moron; or had taken the game so seriously, they’d gone off sulking because their strike hadn’t shown up on the computer screen.
Oh well – it was an interesting evening out! I’m glad I went. I found out there were a few people I didn’t really want to be friends with after all; and I found out that bowling is a lot more fun than I expected. For a small group of friends, I think this would be a really good evening out.