Stumbling On A Prohibition-Era Bowling Alley Speak-Easy

I received a very unexpected email last week asking if I’d like to check out a hidden prohibition-era bowling alley in Queens. Uh, yes, definitely interested. I took a trip to see it today – Just incredible:

According to the owner, the bowling lanes were hidden under boxes and boxes of junk. After researching the property, the owner now believes the basement was a speak-easy club during the Prohibition Era, with two bowling lanes to entertain customers.

The building itself was once a small garment factory in the early 1900’s, employing local women to work the sewing machines and men to keep the equipment running smoothly (often husbands and wives). This is the main room, where as many as 50 ladies would be operating sewing machines (though I was told it was not the sweat shop conditions one would assume):

What was going on in the basement, however, is a different story…

Each lane features two shallow gutters…

…with wood panels set at the ends to keep pins from bouncing out of the lanes (the pins were set-up by hand, of course):

Incredibly, the right lane still has a hanging cushion to stop the balls:

You can see it better below. Also note the screen on the right:

Incredibly, the cushion still hangs to this day by a pair of rusty iron hooks:

Lining the outer lane are several decorative poles:

Each is a dark-stained wood and features several ornamental rings:

A close-up (one can only imagine the parties these have been around for):

The wood on the lanes is in great shape. There are a few holes toward the starts…

But this is pretty much the only damage for the entire run:

Numerous entrances and exits throughout the property would have facilitated discreet access.

The owner is interested in any offers for film, television, commercial, or photographic use. He suggested it as very appropriate for a show like Cold Case, and I totally agree. Pretty much any production looking for an authentic relic of a prohibition-era club could do wonders with this space, a VERY rare find.  The upstairs is also available.

If you are interested, send me an e-mail and I will forward it on to the owner.

And PLEASE, if you have something like this in your basement or attic or rooftop or whatever, drop me a line!

-SCOUT

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