From SanDiegoVille
It was announced more than a year ago that Ocean Beach’s Voltaire Beach House had plans to expand into the neighboring space that previously housed a local caterer for the opening of a 4-lane bowling alley called OB Lanes. After much speculation on whether the project would ever come to fruition, the company took to social media today to announce that OB Lanes is not happening.
Voltaire Beach House is a Nantucket-inspired, open-air bar and restaurant that was opened in January 2017 by restaurateurs David Schiffman, George Somers and Mark Huber – who also have ownership interests in San Diego Double Deuce, Whiskey Girl, The Horn and The Rabbit Hole. Last spring after Chef Nick Brune’s EcoCaters relocated, Voltaire Beach House took over the nearly 5,000 square-foot adjacent property with the aim of bringing a classic bowling alley experience to Ocean Beach. OB Lanes was to offer a four-lane bowling alley open to the general public and available for private events but
“Due to unforeseen circumstances Voltaire Beach House will not be expanding to feature OB Lanes,” read a post on VBH’s Facebook page earlier today. “We want to thank OB residents, the town council and others for all their positive support on the project and truly wish we could have made it happen.”
Ocean Beach residents have been protesting new liquor licenses in recent times, so we surmise backlash. We also heard rumors that the city shut down the project due to issues with the design plans. We reached out to company representatives for a comment but did not receive a response by the time of publishing.
Voltaire Beach House is located at 4934 Voltaire Street until late 2018. For more information, visit voltairebeachhouse.com.
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that would have made OB…about as complete as she will ever get!
Boo to whomever/whatever has prevented this alley from happening
Ooh Bowling Alley woulda been cool. Does OB have a independent movie house? It’s been a while lol. I feel like the closest one was the Ken?
OB Lanes sounds pretty cool TBH
Yes, OB did. It is called Wings now.
Peter – did you receive my envelope? Thanks again, mi amigo.
Not yet. I assume you received mine?
Wait . . you mean the ‘Rags? Yes. That is why I sent you mine!
Not yet but haven’t checked our PO Box yet.
(slacker!)
Wings is like a souvenir shop? Always thought OB would be great with a theater. Or like how they used to show movies on the third floor at central library. It was just chairs and a projector but such great movies and memories.
*is happy and nostalgic*
Natalee: Search the OB Rag for “The Strand Theater-Part 1” . . . you are in for a good read! (shameless plug for Frank)
Bummer. This would have been cool.
To everyone who wanted to see the bowling alley open: did you know about or did you ever use OB’s bowling alley when it had one? OB had the very last manually-set bowling alley – where James Gang was and where the new fitness gym is now.
I did’t know about it. When did it close? Probably long before my time.
I actually did go to the OB Bowl and used their lane at least once. The old wooden lane was so bumpy from all its use that it was difficult to roll a bowling ball straight LOL.
Lol. Hippie. Smooth or bumpy I still wind up in the gutter. What about shuffleboard? Some of the bars still have it? That’s …almost like miniature bowling.