Actually, it might even be the coolest bowling alley in the world. Last night, as part of the St George Supporter’s Club (Berlin) meeting, a collection of Circus staff members past and present headed north to the Parkidyll bar in Pankow. Inside, it looks like a normal drinking club – although there is a small restaurant room attached where you can eat cheap and cheerful meals. But head through some doors and into the hallway of the building, and down some stairs into the basement, and you find a single bowling lane complete with drinks fridge, beer tap, and space for up to 15 people… all you could ever need for a private bowling party.
As far as we could gather, the bowling alley was built in the 1970s by Swedish construction workers who were working on the SEZ sports complex (which includes bowling) over on Landsberger Allee. They were staying nearby to this neighbourhood bar, and struck a deal with the owner. They would provide the bar with a fully functioning bowling alley, and in exchange they would drink for free for the rest of their stay in East Berlin. So that is what they did, and it has left this little bar in Pankow with one of the coolest features we have ever seen.
Here are some more pics:
