Upscale Arcade and Bowling Alley is a Win For All

For the Win (FTW) grand opening event at FTW and Lucky Strike in Denver, Colorado, on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017.
Photo Steve Peterson

It’s been years since I spent any significant time in an arcade. I used to spend a lot of time (and a lot of quarters) at the arcade at Northglenn Mall (back when it was a mall). And my parents dragged me to the old bowling alley on Thursday nights for their league. When I was at either the arcade or the bowling alley – it felt like I was a being a little rebel (I’m not really much of a rebel). Those old alleys were not a place that a clean-cut girl from the suburbs – but maybe an adult. Sort of like a seedy bar where certainly a 15 year old me didn’t belong. But now – Lucky Strike and FTW (For The Win) at the Denver Pavilions puts a whole new spin on what an arcade and bowling alley can be. It is a place where fun belongs for people of all ages – adults and kids alike.

FTW is adjoined with Lucky Strike on the third floor of the Denver Pavilions just off of 16th Street in Downtown. The vibe is clean, hip, a bit trendy and just a bit “steampunk” (this is my daughter’s interpretation).
For the Win (FTW) grand opening event at FTW and Lucky Strike in Denver, Colorado, on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017.
Photo Steve Peterson

The bowling alley, while small, was clean and fun. As we bowled, we ate the gastro pub inspired foods. The nachos were not really chips and cheese like we’re used to but all the fixings of nachos on top of French fries. They were delicious if not a bit messy. We had wings and cheese curds. Our choices were probably not good for any diet food and to be honest we didn’t even look to see if there were salad choices. The drinks were also fun. They fixed my daughter a mock-tail with fruits/juices that she said was great. I had a mixed drink that was delicious.

Then we headed to the FTW side. There you can play familiar arcade style games – hello skee ball – and newer video style interactive games. We spent a lot of time playing Jurassic Park. There is also a demolition derby (video style) and another racing game. Mixed with the classic games of old arcades were new fun and interactive things that we enjoyed as well. At 195 gaming stations there is certainly something that everyone can find delight playing.  
My 15-year-old daughter, friend and I were more interested in playing the games rather than collecting tickets and trading them in for silly prizes like a plastic whistle and pencil that certainly would be forgotten 5 minutes after receiving them. But we did learn that you can collect your tickets on your card – so you don’t have to carry a roll of tickets for redemption. We also learned that the prizes are as upscale as the location seemed to be.
Even if we didn’t trade in for prizes – I would say the day and hours of fun was a win for all.
 
*I received food and playing gift cards for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own. 

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