When Ross Amin first walked into the nearly empty Capitol Bowl in 1999, he couldn't even tell if it was open. "It looked like it hadn't gotten any attention for a long time," he says. Still, he saw something in the space and decided to take over, launching a series of renovations, which were recently completed in late 2011.

Today, the modernized alley features lofty ceilings and a gauntlet of 20 overhauled lanes that keep score with Brunswick systems that were last upgraded in April 2012. Like a catcher's facemask or a pitcher's facial hair, bumpers (available upon request) can protect players against wayward balls. In between frames, the weary rest up by playing 1 of 15 video games in the arcade. Ross is most excited by Capitol Bowl’s updated café, which eschews traditional snack bar offerings in favor of chef-created entrees, which are made from scratch using fresh ingredients. Ross's favorite, the pastrami sandwich, is served hot with meat that’s smoked in house and spicy mustard. Some nights live music fills the bar, and flat-screen televisions air sports games and glow bowling gives the alley a neon aura.