When the Morgenstern family immigrated to Rochester from Israel in 1957, Dan’s father worked as a mechanic at Clover Lanes, a newly opened bowling alley on Monroe Avenue in the suburb of Brighton. By 1962, he was the manager and soon after, the trendy spot pioneered summer dances. Twelve bowling lanes were covered in sheets of plywood, live bands played, and couples danced the night away.
Fast forward to 2014, after the Monroe Avenue property was sold, Dan purchased the Clover Lanes business and began to brainstorm a revival that would become Radio Social. Morgenstern and his son, Noah reached out to Rochester-based firm Staach for interior design and local restaurateur Chuck Cerankosky (co-owner of Restaurant Good Luck) to direct food and drink.
With Radio Social the Morgenstern family has perfected the ideal adult play place. It’s not just any old bowling alley: it’s an urban social experience and destination where slick design, world class food, crafty cocktails, and a colourful collection of games offer the ideal spot to enjoy an adventure on date night.
While bowling is at the heart of Radio Social, the place is filled with games that could easily keep you busy from the early afternoon to late into the evening. Vintage gamers will feel like they’ve died and gone to heaven playing corn hole, viking chess, giant jenga, ping pong, billiards, darts, skee ball, fooseball, shuffleboard, ladder golf, and horse shoes.
Most bowling alleys have a bad rap for offering ho-hum menus but Radio Social has reinvented the hunger game here, recruiting executive chef Steve Eakins from NYC. The space offers two bustling bars which feature a handful of top drawer wine, a creative cocktail list, and ten craft beers on tap.
Wag your finger through the menu and you’ll find a kitchen which celebrates the families Israeli roots. We spent an hour or two bowling here over the dinner hour while noshing on a fresh feast inspired by flavours from the Levant. Highlights include Fried Cauliflower with dried fruit, Charred Chicken Wings with pomegranate molasses, Fried Halloumi Cheese with pickled mango, creamy Hummus with laffa, and addictive Kubaneh “pull apart” bread with a trio of dips for delighting.
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