Baseball, Billiards, and Bowling under One Roof
At Jillian’s Boston, watch a Red Sox game, play pool, hit the lanes
You may not have tickets to tonight’s Red Sox game, but you can still see the team take on the Chicago White Sox at Lucky Strike. Photo by Flickr contributor Jeremy Brooks
There may be few venues in Boston that offer the breadth of entertainment that Jillian’s/Lucky Strike Boston does. Sprawled over 70,000 square feet, the Fenway complex is actually three different venues—a nightclub, an upscale billiards emporium, and a 25,000-square-foot bowling alley. But with its dozen plasma screen TVs, the place has also become a popular draw for Red Sox fans who can’t get into Fenway but want to catch the game nearby while also enjoying food and an adult beverage. So think about stopping by tonight when the Red Sox take on the Chicago White Sox, starting at 7:10 p.m. It’s the next best thing to actually being inside Fenway Park.
Many of the plasma TVs are on the second floor, where you’ll find Jillian’s Billiards, which boasts a full bar and lounge and game day menu. Ask your server about the burger of the month, or go healthy with a hummus plate or the classy fruit-and-cheese platter. If the game becomes dull, head over to one of Jillian’s 35 billiards tables for a game of pool. You’ll quickly see why the place has become a magnet for young professionals. You’ll also find six bowling lanes.
But if it’s bowling you’ve come for, best to head up to the third floor to Lucky Strike Lanes. It’s not your typical bowling alley. Colorful lights and an 800-square-foot video wall illuminate the 16 lanes, and the adjacent bar serves food and drink, and has more TV screens on which to catch Red Sox games. Snack on mac-and-cheese bites and beef teriyaki skewers or enjoy a nostalgic root beer float. For those who prefer cue sports to bowling, check out Lucky Strikes’ 12 pool tables.
Lucky Strike was founded by Boston University alum Steven Foster (LAW’78) in 2003 and now has 19 locations, including in Hollywood and New York City. The Fenway venue was voted a Boston Best in 2009 and 2011 by the Improper Bostonian, and it has welcomed numerous celebrities over the years, including former Governor Mitt Romney, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, and actor Mark Wahlberg.
Once you’ve finished bowling, playing pool, or watching the game, head downstairs to Tequila Rain, the nightclub famous for hosting “spring break 52 weeks a year.” The dance club draws big crowds on weekends and has become a popular choice for bachelorette parties, but comes with certain caveats: it is 18+ only after 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 21+ after 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Photo ID is required for all guests and obscene language is strictly prohibited. There’s also a dress code: athletic wear, sweatpants, sleeveless tee shirts, hats, and boots are prohibited.
Jillian’s/Lucky Strike is located at 145 Ipswich Street. To get there from Kenmore Square, bear left onto Brookline Avenue and take the second left onto Landsdowne Street and walk until you reach Ipswich Street. The location is open 7 days a week, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 2 a.m. on Sundays. Tonight’s Red Sox game begins at 7:10 p.m. For more information about Jillian’s/ Lucky Strike, visit their Facebook or Twitter page.
Comments & Discussion
Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.