Splitting the difference: a unique new center in central Florida is the perfect combination of retro styling and gaming galore

THE LATEST BOWLING CENter in downtown Tampa, next to the Florida Aquarium, is Splitsville. It is located in the Channelside area, and offers a unique array of entertainment options, including bowling, billiards, and a dinner lounge.

The minute you step inside the courtyard and see the giant pin and bowling ball at the entrance to Splitsville, you know you're in for a treat. Its warm, classic, and timeless design features are combined with colorful, contemporary twists that make the complex a delight to behold--indeed, it's a lively and happening place, a unique take on a "typical" bowling center.

The 12-lane, $10-million center opened last December 18 with an exclusive VIP party. Tampa's mayor, Pam Iorio, was on hand to "roll out" the first ball at the 27,000 square-foot establishment. The complex looks much different to veterans of the standard bowling center decor, offering 12 bowling lanes in a "wheel-spoke" arrangement, six championship billiard tables, and four unique bars.

"The bowling lanes are split into clusters of four lanes with bars, billiards tables, and lounge areas in between," says Ray Schaefer, a principal at the architectural and design firm responsible for Splitsville, Aumiller Youngquist, P.C. "You can watch someone bowl from halfway down a lane, a perspective you don't get at traditional bowling centers, so it's as much fun to watch as it is to bowl."

It was restauranteurs Guy Revelle and Mark Gibson who hatched the idea for Splitsville. Among those the duo partnered with in their first bowling project was Ed Droste, one of the founders of Hooters. Says Droste of the center, "Everyone loves to bowl, and Splitsville makes bowling cool. We did a lot of research for this center and visited other locations with similar concepts to ours, including Strike Bethesda in the Washington, D.C. area and Kings in Boston.

"I've also read the press on Lucky Strike in Hollywood, and those places took more of the traditional approach on bowling, being more nightclub-driven. We differ in that we offer a full restaurant until 10 p.m., with gourmet appetizers and classic entrees in our nostalgia room. If you're not bowling, you still get entertainment, with our music appealing to the 20-through-40-year-olds."

Bowlers who are serious about the sport have typically shied away from this type of bowling/entertainment concept. But Splitsville aims to bridge a relationship between the casual and serious bowler; it is no secret that in today's environment, open play and the more casual bowler drives more of the market share within any center, in Splitsville's eyes, the more people that can be introduced to bowling and have fun, the more will be interested in moving on to the next level, returning to play again and again and improving their budding games.

Splitsville will be hosting bowling clinics, various tournaments, and a few leagues for local Tampa residents. Private parties are also available, with the bowling lane and billiard logistics allowing for privacy as well.

Splitsville is catching on quickly, and with its popularity and the demand for lanes, waits can sometimes be up to three hours long. But there is no shortage of activities to keep you occupied while you wait. Sally's Alley, Splitsville's restaurant, offers "vintage" entrees such as steak Diane, veal parmesan, and broasted chicken, in a sophisticated atmosphere that features stylish, retro furnishings. The main room offers gourmet appetizers like caviar potato skins, brie and mango quesadillas, goat cheese pizza, tuna steak tournedos, and fresh sushi rolls. The four bars feature specialty martinis, classic cocktails, and Splitsville's signature 64-ounce "Big Bowls." You can also venture into Channelside's other offerings while you wait, such as Stump's Supper Club, Howl at the Moon, or even an IMAX movie theater located upstairs from Splitsville.

Splitsville also sponsors local country and rock concerts and other events at the St. Pete Times Forum, home of the NHL Tampa Bay Lightning and the Arena Football League champion Storm. Conveniently enough, the Forum is also within walking distance of Channelside.

"I love the 'Ed' TV show," Droste says. "We like to be creative here, like they are on that show, and we want to put bowling out front again.

"We have always felt that bowling is universal. Young and old, male and female, can compete equally. So, we started with an upscale food and beverage concept and a refined interior design and incorporated a universally appealing entertainment component ... and that led us right to Splitsville."

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