Words and photos: Stephanie Breijo
Georgetown nightlife is about to get a lot more fun.
Come Saturday, Pinstripes–a combination bowling alley, bocce emporium and Italian/American bistro–opens its doors to a massive space with multiple dining rooms, a conference room, and two outdoor patios (one with a fireplace and a basket full of blankets, no less).
Building into what was once the Shops at Georgetown, Pinstripes is bringing its own brand of entertainment to the canal with bowling and bocce until 12:30pm every night and full-service restaurant throughout. Walk in and find yourself at the front desk where you’ll be greeted and signed up for games, if you so choose; bowlers get a free pair of socks with every visit, which is, we’re somewhat ashamed to say, almost worth a visit alone.
From there you’ll find a bar sporting local taps like DC Brau, 3 Stars and Flying Dog, as well as a large dining room with that Napa-to-Colorado vibe, and a vast open kitchen. If you’re overwhelmed, feel free to take a seat in any one of Pinstripes’s comfortable leather chairs sprinkled throughout, or keep walking until you reach the bocce courts; four immediately visible, two just around the corner in a private alcove which can be rented for parties.
Just past these you’ll see the real showstopper, the Pinstripes bowling alley–14 lanes decorated with vintage bowling photos. The best part? Each lane gets its own seating area with leather couches, a coffee table, and its own iPod hookup allowing for private music listening per group.
Head upstairs and find the Canal Room, an outdoor seating area which overlooks the Canal, with large windows that open in warmer weather. (Hello, new spring/summer drinking spot.) Upstairs you’ll also find the larger bar as well as the ballroom–also available to rent–which might also serve as overflow seating for brunch because starting February 16, oh yes, there will be brunch.
Until then guests can graze any time of the day or night on gourmet flatbreads and pastas, made fresh every day in-house, along some housemade limoncello.
Pinstripes opens Saturday, February 8, at 10:00am.