Riverwest’s Falcon Bowl bowling alley and bar officially has new operators after the neighborhood’s investment cooperative bought the building in 2021, saving it from possibly being destroyed.
They are keeping the historic bowling alley the same, and have made the lanes more available to the public. The rest of the building, at 801 E. Clarke St., is undergoing a remodel that will include a new look for the bar, a reimagined rental hall, and a new 1,100-square-foot patio and beer garden.
The operators are Daniel and Amy Gnadt, who own Castle Lanes in Racine and South Shore Bowl in Cudahy, along with longtime Falcon Bowl patrons Bill Desing and Russell Grabczyk. They took over in late 2022, and Riverwest Investment Cooperative continues to own the space.
In the basement, the group made minor updates to improve bowling operations, such as pin setting repairs. Aesthetically, it will remain the same with its Mid-Century decor and color scheme.
The group has expanded open bowl, so bowlers can walk in and bowl Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to midnight, and leagues are on Thursdays and Fridays. Under the previous longtime owner, Lynn Okopinski, the six-lane alley had limited open bowling and leagues only on Thursdays after the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
“There’s a lot of demand to come and bowl here. We’re working toward operating it seven days,” Daniel Gnadt said. “Open bowling is popular, especially on Saturdays. Unfortunately we’ve gotten full and had to turn people away.”
Falcon Bowl patio, bar updates
The rest of building on the main level is undergoing major updates.
A brand new patio will be installed in a space that was previously used for storage. It will have outdoor seating, a fire pit and games.
The rental hall has been demolished down to its studs. While removing ceiling tiling, the operators found the original wood and medallions intact, which they plan to keep and use as inspiration for reconstructing the event space, using period-piece chandeliers to complete the look.
“We’re looking to expand bookings in the hall, so we’ve dedicated a lot of resources there,” Gnadt said.
The main level bar will also get a makeover, beginning later this month. The plan is to bring the pinks and greens from the basement bowling alley upstairs to the bar.
“We want to embrace the look of the bowling alley,” Gnadt said.
Expanded offerings will include more Milwaukee-based beers. There are no plans to offer food.
Currently, the bar is open for bowlers and to the public from 4 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Saturday. It may close for a short period during renovations. The operators are hoping to complete all renovations by mid-June in time for a celebration on June 24.
“We really want to tie into the history of the building. We’re looking at it as a refresh,” Gnadt said. “We want people to know that we want to embrace what it is and continue on the legacy of Falcon Bowl.”
This historic space was built in 1882 and became home to Polish Falcon Nest 725 (a local chapter) in 1945 until it moved in the 1980s. The Polish Falcons, a cultural society than began as an effort to instill pride in Poland, continued to own the building when Okopinski and her late husband operated the bowling alley, bar and rental hall, beginning in 1982, until the Polish Falcons sold it to the Riverwest Investment Cooperative for $500,000 in October 2021.
Okopinski has been involved, helping the new operators of Falcon Bowl.
