Park Alleys In Winnipeg, Manitoba

Re-imagined bowling alley in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada is also a live music venue, restaurant, and bar

Is it a live music venue? Is it a bowling alley? Is it a restaurant and bar? Yes, yes, yes, Park Alleys in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada is all of that.

In 2020-2021, new owners renovated a South Osborne five-pin bowling alley that had been a local institution for neighbourhood families since 1946. They restored the original Art Deco ceilings, neon lights, and the original sign. They removed two of the eight bowling lanes to create a stage and installed a sound system complete with a Garnet amplifier. They added a kitchen, bar, lounge area, and a couple of pinball machines. Old bowling trophies, found in the basement, now line the top of the bar. The result is a comfortable, relaxed, and fun space.

Several bowling lanes with an art deco ceiling and a side wall containing a mural of musical instruments — *A mural of musical instruments, painted by a local artist, covers one wall*

Tables in a restaurant/lounge area with the bar/kitchen area along the back wall — *Dining/lounge area*

Park Alleys’ menu includes shareables (such as bruschetta, poutine, nachos, and chicken wings), salads, chicken tenders, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and pizza. Brunch specials on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from noon to 5pm include a breakfast sandwich and breakfast tacos. I’ve had a burger and pizza here, both of which were very good.

The drink menu includes wine, specialty cocktails, and beer. Check out the large selection of local craft beer on the chalkboard. Happy Hour food and drink specials run until 7 pm daily. Look for the $10 Rouger Special—a Nathan’s hog dog served with home-cut fries and a Bowling Beer (the house beer brewed by a local craft brewery) or a soft drink.

Music venue stage area with drum set in back, keyboard to side, large amp, guitar resting on stand and neon sign in front of red curtain at back that says Park Alleys

You’ll find live music playing most Tuesdays through Saturdays. There is a cover charge for the Friday and Saturday night shows. Park Alleys features mostly local bands with some touring band shows as well. Music tends toward roots or funk with a bit of blues thrown in. Jazz Jam runs on Tuesday evening and Open Mic on Wednesdays. The all-ages license means the entire family can come out to hear the band.

Bowling lanes with a vibrant coloured mural of musical instruments along side wall

Of course, there is bowling. You can book a lane in advance or take your chances and just show up. And yes, you can play during the music sets. I was told the bowling noise did not interfere with the music. I was a bit skeptical about that, but found that is largely true. It is not that you don’t hear the bowling noise at all. You do, but it doesn’t drown out the musicians. It simply becomes part of the general bar background noise.

restaurant tables with open garage door at its front leading to a sidewalk patio — *In the summer, a glass-paned garage door opens onto a sidewalk patio*

There is a welcoming, neighbour-pub vibe to Park Alleys. About 65% of the clientele are local to the neighbourhood or regulars, although people will come from all over the city for the music. I’ve been there during the day when there was no live music and in the evening when musicians played. The friendly, casual atmosphere was present in both instances.

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