Largely long-gone are the one-dimensional bowling centers — archaic by today’s standards — with ho-hum, unadorned lanes on which you, well, just bowled. By contrast, modern bowling venues have been transformed into full-service entertainment centers where LED-lit lanes are only one part of the full experience.
Today’s bowling facilities are virtual one-stop family fun centers, brimming with excitement. Here, you can bowl, enjoy a full array of arcade games, play a challenging game of laser tag, celebrate a child’s birthday, schedule group team-building events or indulge in classic sports bar fare.
Jacob Elliott, BMA, Bowland & HeadPinz Entertainment Centers’ marketing director, said that HeadPinz is the only bowling center in Collier County today; Bowland Beacon closed last year after operating in Naples for more than 60 years. “In 1989, current HeadPinz owners Pat and Lisa Ciniello took over Bowland Beacon until its closing last August,” he said. “Since then, our customers, leagues and staff have been transitioned to the East Naples location. We’re working on downsizing our Bowland brand and focusing more on HeadPinz, a focused family entertainment center model where you have multiple amenities and a bar and restaurant. We are creating a whole experience for guests rather than only bowling; kids want more, and we like bringing in families.”
HeadPinz offers 32 LED-lit lanes and a private VIP section with high-tech effects. “We employ QubicaAMF technology in our state-of-the-art ‘neoverse,’ a giant immersive center-wide LED, 5k video wall with hyper-lighting and music soundtrack for a multi-sensory, multi-dimensional experience,” Elliott said. “The VIP area has a private bar, private servers, bartenders and a pool table.”
In another section of the center, GameZone offers captivating arcade games and basketball with a focus on virtual reality, including the popular laser tag. Laser tag originated in the late 1970s — based on “phaser” guns from “Star Trek” — and is now adapted for play in purpose-built venues to the delight of preteens, teens and adults. Infrared-emitting light guns “tag” opponents; points are won when you tag and lost when you are tagged. Coordination, speed, strategy and teamwork all come into play for fast interactive gaming.
“Our laser tag is not just a game; it’s a fully immersive experience,” Elliott said. “With a briefing room and state-of-the-art technology, players can battle in a space-themed arena. The round lasts around 15 minutes, broken down into a five-minute rule briefing and 10 minutes of intense gameplay.”
HeadPinz also hosts birthday parties, with per-person pricing ranging from $300 to $1,000 for a customized experience of bowling and games, with food as an add-on. Group events can run from 20 to 500 people celebrating holidays and special events or team-building. A fajita bar, farm-to-table theme, barbecue and more can be ordered.
HeadPinz offers a wide range of food and beverage options, including two bars, one in Nemo’s restaurant, which pays homage to the former Nemo’s on Fort Myers Beach. “Nemo’s is iconic and was voted numerous times as having the best wings in Southwest Florida by Gulfshore Life,” Elliott said. “We focus on the bar ambiance with a sports bar NFL and MLB package and host card nights, karaoke, live music and more. The other bar is in our VIP section.”
A rewards program offers points on food and beverage purchases. “You get points after spending on food and beverage,” Elliott said. “After reaching certain points, you can get $5 or $10 off, free nachos, a free pizza or up to $50 off your entire bill. This program is designed to reward our loyal customers and encourage them to keep coming back for more fun and delicious food.”
This story was published in The Naples Press on April 4.
