Dec

Sparians Now Open

Sparians , North Hills’ boutique bowling operation, opened its doors today. The facility features 18 bowling lanes with some contained in private lounges. In addition to the bowling action, there is a full-service restaurant serving lanes and lounge (pdf), Bistro (dinner, pdf), and the very-much-needed late-night (pdf) fares. The menus looks like what we see in today’s upscale sports bars (like that of Tobacco Road on Glenwood).

The bowling is said to be expensive, ranging from $8-$14 depending on the time , compared to other bowling allies in Raleigh. However it should be noted that this price does include shoe rental.

Sparians will be closed this coming Thursday afternoon, but has normal operating hours of:

Mon-Sat: 10am – 2am
Sunday: 11am – 2am

Tom Woolf

Yowie!!! Since when did a couple going out to bowl 3 games cost $60?!?

Oh, since now I guess.
Dana E

This is obviously for the middle-upper income folks. I guess my family and I will just stick with Buffaloe Lanes.
Phil Smith

Hah!

http://www.sparians.com/documents/code-of-conduct-dress-code.pdf

I guess if you own bowling shoes you’re really screwed with this pricing scheme, too. $14? Really?
Subway Scoundrel

These guys have put a lot of money in this place. Will see if the $14 a game sticks. I like the location and could see me going there on weekends late for a late dinner and maybe even a game as I live nearby. Always need another neighborhood bar. Dana, I thought you were middle-upper income ??
Dana

That’s right. We usually use coupons as kindling for fires in our many fireplaces.
burgeoningfoodie

This place reminds me of Lucky Strike in.. NY or something in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, the income of the area may not support this alley as it stands though it does look very hip and fun.
hackles10

If you go to bowl one game at Buffalo Lanes it would cost you $7.50-$8.50 with shoes. So how is this place so far off? If you have your own shoes, you probably aren’t part of their demographic anyways. These places usually hollow out their pins(to control noise), have music, tv’s and entertainment going at all times, and are definitely not for those bowlers who enjoy $1 beers and league nights.
North_Raleigh_Guy

I agree with Hackles. This is an entertainment complex, with a nice bar and restaurant and some bowling lanes. It is for a night out with friends, not a local haunt for a serious bowler. I think there is a demographic that this type of facility will be popular with and think North Hills is a good fit for this project.
North Hills Rezz

It will be interesting to see how this place operates: 1- upscale bar, metro big city fun, or 2- family, soccer mom, neighborhood kid party type.

In order for it to work, I think they will need to find a way to attract both crowds. I’m not sure North Hills is a dense enough area to really excel without catering to both demographics. With that being said, I look forward to seeing if they can pull it off.
bradinraleigh

@hackles and @north_raleigh_guy – think you are on the money here. I’ve been there and it’s a really sweet place. It is an all-in-one entertainment for all ages. I saw on their website that they host birthday parties and are kid-friendly, which will be during the day. And at night seems they will be an upscale lounge to meet people, watch games, and bowl. The prices may be a bit pricey but it will work in this area. Who doesn’t like bowling in style.
SubwayScoundrel

Have not been in yet but
the parking lots have
looked rather crowded. Think I will go tonight for a drink.
Betty

Disappointing…great look BUT food not up to “look”. No “pop” or something FRESH in the food…basically I could do better at home especially for my kids. You can get the same at Mickie-D’s for a lot less! If you are a veggie/vegan…stay away!
Crystal

I made reservations for a party of 35 at Sparians 3 weeks in advance. I received a call from management the night before the event asking me to make changes to my reservations. They called me back 4 hours later and said they realized they can still assist me and I can keep my reservations. The day of the event February 19, 2011, I had my entire party of 35 people there and they told me my reservations had been cancelled. We were supposed to eat and bowl. They told me it would be a 3 to 4 hour wait. I saw some available tables and available bowling lanes. I asked mgmt if they would split my group, so we could still eat and bowl. They told us they would not be able to give us a sufficient time line of when we could be seated or bowling until every one that was in line have gotten tables. We waited an hour and they still said it maybe 3 or 4 hours before we could be seated or could bowl. We saw other people walk in without reservations and get a table and a lane. We finally were fed up, and told the management we would leave if nothing were available soon. They said “ok leave”. As we left, we saw 4 lanes available with no one bowling and a significant amount of tables available. The location was not packed at the time we were there. My party of 35 was willing to pay the ridiculous prices for food and bowling. The management and customer service was horrible. The location is pretty but their service, high prices, and customer care is horrible. If they do not change the way they treat their customers, and make adjustments to their prices, they will not be in business long.
NOTHING!!!
Susie

My visit was yuck – its a fun social outing but the food was horrible. You could tell the food is reheated – not cooked on location. Nothing you couldn’t buy in a box and warm up – dry wngs.. overcooked shrimp and the ribs were a disaster. The prices are hefty. Wanna have fun? -just bowl and drink great place just don’t bother to eat. Slow slow service.
jorge

Sparians is one of the great bowling
http://www.cnatrainingmain.com

gogoraleigh.com

Sparians Now Open

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