10 pin

From the Trib:

10pin (which is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, to 3 a.m. on Saturday) fancies itself like Lucky Strike--an upscale lounge with bowling. And we knew right away this wasn't a typical alley. After ascending the stairs to the front desk, we noticed all the funky bowling shoes in the glass case: black-and-white wingtips for the guys and trendy Dexters for the women.

As Prince belted out "Musicology" from the top-notch nightclub stereo system, his image graced eight massive video screens (more on those later). Before we even made it to our lane, we passed a circular bar area, where three women, each dressed casually hip in varying styles of those Britney Spears-type jeans, sat on a velour high-back couch sipping martinis.

...

"You almost feel like you're underdressed," said Steve Griger, 30, hanging out with a group of friends who were there strictly for the bowling.

No, this isn't your father's bowling alley. The clientele at 10pin is a little more fashion-conscious (check out the choices of bowling shoes, $3.95 for regular, $4.95 for the cool ones), an urban professional crowd--not necessarily into bowling but into having a sophisticated alternative to the sometimes tiring weekend bar-hopping scene.

Yes, bowling has gone sophisticated, at least at the downtown area's only alley (open play rates are $4.95 per game before 5 p.m., $6.95 after). If it wasn't for the occasional sound of rolling balls and clattering pins, you might forget where you are. The sound system alone is more suited for a night of dancing than a night of pin-knocking. And above the 24 lanes rests a 128-foot wall of eight high-definition video screens that show non-stop music videos (or Cubs or Sox games, depending on the time of day).

hmmm, mixed feelings about this, could be fun, or could just be another Cro-bar wannabe.
10pin

Where: 330 N. State St.; 312-644-0300

What's cool: You don't have to bowl; just hang out at the martini bar with friends.

What's not: Parking in the River North area, especially if the House of Blues is having a show next door, can be a pain. Terry's tip: Sample the menu--especially the macaroni and cheese. Also, 10pin does not take American Express as of yet, though they do accept Visa and MasterCard.