By Shannon Finnell
I
’ve got information, man! New shit has come to light!
Ever want to sip a white Russian in a bowling alley without worrying that you’ll end
up serving 6 months in Chino? As long as you don’t do something foolish, like expose
yourself to an 8-year-old, you can enjoy what you want at Strike City, out on Highway 99.
First a little clarifi cation: This is not ‘Nam. This is bowling. There are rules. Liquor is
sold downstairs in the Spare Room, in an area where minors aren’t allowed.
Christie Scott at the OLCC says that liquor can be sold in the area without minors and
that place is said to have a “predominant activity” that’s drinking-related. When patrons
leave the bar, they enter an area where the predominant activity is bowling, and liquor can
be consumed but not sold — so separating the selling from the drinking makes it legal.
I know, I know, this is a very complicated case. A lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-
yous. And, uh, lotta strands to keep in your head, man. You might have to adhere to a pretty
strict, uh, drug regimen to keep your mind limber.
Don’t get down on yourself if you can’t keep all those strands in your head; if you’re
into the whole brevity thing, you can just be a nihilist about it and not adhere to any belief.
“Every restaurant is different; every bowling alley is different,” Scott says.
The white Russians — or Caucasians, if you’re a fan of the preferred nomenclature —
are just about perfect, with their milky softness and coffee punch, and they were just on the
right side of strong the night we visited.
Strike City’s Eric Gilbert says having a bar with a full liquor license is a pretty rare thing.
“We’re the only one I know of,” he says.
Gilbert says that right now specials like 75-cent tacos on Fridays and Saturdays are
the most popular, but he’s looking to start up more Lebowski-themed events, such as a
night with drink specials or special deals for those who bowl in costumes or bathrobes.
Anyone with ideas or who wants to be kept in the loop can contact Gilbert at info@
eugenesgamecentral.com
In the meantime, sipping on Caucasians isn’t the only way to celebrate the Duderino at
Strike City. Each of the Spare Room’s burgers is named for a character in the movie —
Brandt, Jeffrey, Donny, Hungus, Maude, Jackie, Bunny and The Sobchak Slammer — and
made with Ninkasi’s Brew Beef Patties; they’re range-fed, hormone and antibiotic-free and
fi nished with spent grain from Ninkasi. Does beef make you feel like you’re out of your
element? Substitute a turkey, chicken or garden burger for free. There’s also a handmade
free-range buffalo burger for $1.50 more.
Still think having liquor in a bowling alley is too scandalous for Oregon? Well, that’s
just, like, your opinion, man. ■
b wine bar
Caucasians really tie the room together
2
CAREFUL
MAN, THERE’S
A BEVERAGE
HERE!
Over 60 Wines
Full Bar
Local Microbrews
Lunch - Dinner
Dessert - Appetizers
Monday - Thursday 12-10pm
Friday - Saturday 12-12
Sunday 3-9pm
Located in Eugene’s Crescent Village
2794 Shadow View • 505-8909 • b2winebar.com
Note: Those unfamiliar with the 1998 Coen brothers classic fi lm The Big Lebowski might wonder about the origins of that
reference to Chino, ‘Nam and Caucasians. Check out the movie before writing to our dear editor.
www.eugeneweekly.com
March 15, 2012
SWIZZLE 7