Life In The Fast Lane
Shepherd’s Bush entrepreneur Mark von Westenholz is bringing tenpin bowling – and the classic American diner experience – to West London. Kate Crockett strikes gold
Above: All Star Lanes
When the first All Star Lanes ‘boutique bowling’ venue opened in Bloomsbury in 2006 some cynics predicted it would be a short-lived fad. They must be eating their words; All Star Lanes took London by storm, putting tenpin bowling firmly on the map as a fantastic night out for all ages. Now the business’s Shepherd’s Bush-based Managing Director, Mark von Westenholz, and his co-founders have opened a superb new arena in West London, underneath Whiteleys in Bayswater.
Iconic red, white and blue bowling Velcro shoes are about the only thing it has in common with the brash, harshly lit, impersonal bowling alleys so beloved by British teens. Rather, All Star Lanes offers a stylish, sophisticated and intimate evening out – and one that is just tremendous fun. The décor is stylish American clubhouse – think wood-panelling, leather sofas and bowling memorabilia; the diner delivers a classic American brasserie menu (from Yellowfin Tuna Salad and Eggs Benedict at lunch to slightly grander dishes such as Louisiana crab cakes, fillet steak and lobster quesadillas in the evening) and the bar serves an intoxicating array of cocktails with a strong American influence (Manhattans, Martinis and Juleps) and beer and wine lists that showcase the ‘best of the US’, including reserve wines from the finest Californian vineyards. For those (like me) raised on Megabowl, it’s an exciting prospect.
Like all inspired ideas, the All Star Lanes model is beautifully simple. ‘I was at business school and I wanted to get my teeth into an entrepreneurial venture,’ Mark explains. ‘I just came up with the concept while looking at other things that were happening in London, like The Elbow Rooms, gastro pubs and so on. I’m a huge fan of bowling – it’s such a great sport and everyone loves it – and I thought it would be really nice if you could bowl, have a decent drink and an excellent meal and enjoy some good music.’ The new Bayswater site boasts eight bowling lanes, including two in a private room for up to 80 guests, the diner and cocktail bar and comfortable areas for spectators. The private room has been key to the success of the Bloomsbury venue: ‘You can have your own bowling alley for the night and no one else can get into it,’ Mark smiles. ‘People love that.’
High quality drinking and dining is integral to the All Star Lanes experience and it’s here that the expertise of Mark’s co-directors Charles and Adam Breeden – the owners of the award-winning Notting Hill bar, Lonsdale – has proved invaluable. ‘The food is crucial to this venture because it means that people come down to bowl, have a drink and then say, “oh, let’s have something to eat”, then have another game and stay for a night cap – so they’ll be here for five hours rather than just one or two.’ Among other innovations the All Star team has also launched a collection of T-shirts, classic bowling shirts, sweatshirts and bowling bags and is planning a range of vintage sportswear and a third venue in Shoreditch.
As Managing Director Mark is very hands-on, but after 18 months immersed in the business, just how expert a bowler is he? ‘I was very good when Bloomsbury opened because I did a lot, but since then I’ve been lagging a bit,’ he admits. At least with a new venue just down the road, now he’ll have no excuse for not practising…
All Star Lanes, Whiteleys, W2 (entrance on Porchester Gardens). Tel: 020 7313 8363 or visit www.allstarlanes.co.uk