This Retro Berkshires Bowling Alley Inspired a Famous Film

I have always firmly believed that you can find an interesting piece of history no matter where you travel. Of course, you can always learn a lot about the past by visiting large museums and special exhibits in big cities like Boston and New York. Still, plenty of pieces of history are hidden in small towns where you may assume that nothing exciting ever happened. Oftentimes, you need to dig for these treasures, but every once in a while, they just pop up and take you by surprise. Let me tell you about an unexpected discovery that my family and I made while spending a recent evening at a retro bowling alley in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

Just a few weeks ago, my family and I headed to the Berkshires (one of my favorite regions of Massachusetts) for a quick mini-vacation. We had only a few days to spend in the area, so I created a detailed itinerary to make the most of our time. Our top agenda items included a day of skiing at Butternut Ski Resort and a delicious family dinner in the formal dining room at the historic Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge.

As with many vacations, not everything went according to plan. We ended up with a reservation mix-up, which forced us to reschedule our formal dinner, consequently leaving us with an open evening void of plans. 

We had driven by the Cove Bowling and Entertainment complex several times throughout our travels, but had yet to visit. This particular evening seemed like a good night to hit the lanes. The complex houses an on-site eatery, which made it an ideal one-stop destination. 

After a busy day on the slopes, we set out to swap our ski boots for bowling shoes. We walked into the Cove, and I was immediately transported back to the bowling days of my youth. As I took in the sights of brightly colored bowling balls, the dated speckled carpet, and the wall of winners' trophies, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me.  

We slipped on our fashionable bowling shoes and set up our screen, and my husband wandered over to the bar (yes, there is a full bar here) to grab us a few drinks. He seemed to be chit-chatting with the bartender for quite a while, and I wondered what was taking him so long. He returned to the lane, all excited to tell me that he had just found out that the 1998 film "The Big Lebowski" was based on this very bowling alley.

I later researched and found out that although this cult classic was not filmed in the area, the Cove was once frequented by Joel and Ethan Coen (aka the Coen brothers), who attended nearby Bard College at Simon’s Rock back in the 1970s. Many locals swear that the bowling alley was the inspiration for the brothers' classic film about a wild case of mistaken identity, which starred well-known actors Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, and Julianne Moore (to name a few), 

While this fact has yet to be proven, it is certainly not a stretch to picture “The Dude” and his friends plotting their next moves while lounging around the Cove’s seating area or yelling crude insults to competitors, knocking down pins in adjoining lanes. 

This family-owned venue has certainly seen its share of both unusual characters and talented bowlers in the past 60-plus years. Although it has also undergone some updates and changes, it remains a favorite fixture in Great Barrington. The alley currently features 24 bowling lanes, pool tables, and a small arcade area. The complex hosts leagues, clubs, tournaments, and even children’s birthday parties. 

My family and I certainly didn’t bowl as well as the characters in “The Big Lebowski,” but we had an entertaining evening. I even made a few strikes! After playing two rounds (boys against girls), we headed over to the restaurant for a quick dinner. I was expecting to scarf down some reheated pizza or a greasy burger, but I was pleasantly surprised at the homemade items being whipped up in the tiny kitchen of “The Backstage Grille." Their menu includes flatbreads, quesadillas, burgers, sandwiches, and wings, and they even feature a soup of the day. Everything that we ordered was fresh and tasty.

This unplanned night turned out to be a lot of fun. Not only did I get to re-live a bit of my childhood while spending quality time with my family, but I also discovered a little piece of unexpected pop culture history. Pair that with a well-made margarita and a delicious burger, and that's a great experience in my book!

Have you ever visited a prior movie location or a place that inspired a film? If so, please let us know all about your adventure. If you want to view other Massachusetts filming locations, I suggest embarking on this fascinating Boston Movie Mile Walking Tour, which takes you to over 30 local TV and movie locations. 

More information on this retro alley can be found on the Cove Bowling and Entertainment website and the Cove Bowling and Entertainment Facebook page. The venue's restaurant information is available on The Backstage Grille's website.