And yet! There are still Athenians who play Bowling
Let’s rewind to 1972. Picture this: the Apollon Palace Hotel in Kavouri, Greece, where a game unfamiliar to the locals is making waves. A single player, a hefty ball with three holes, and ten pins at the end of a wooden lane, waiting to be knocked down. We’re talking about, of course, bowling.
Giorgos Langaditis was one of the first to take bowling seriously, nurturing its growth and teaching it to young enthusiasts. You can find him at his establishment, the Metropolitan Bowling Center on Patision Street, one of the last remaining havens for this now officially recognized sport.
In one corner, perched above the cash register, a collection of trophies from various national tournaments over the years stands as a testament to his skill. He’s still an active player. “I got hooked, and now I can’t quit,” he says with a chuckle. Behind us, a large mural showcases iconic Athenian landmarks, including the Acropolis, which can be seen from the street outside.
Could King Henry VIII, who started bowling for amusement in his fields in the 15th century and later banned it for the lower classes, have envisioned its enduring popularity six centuries later? Unlikely. But, as they say in bowling, strike!
Langaditis recalls a time when the avenue was home to two bowling establishments. Now, only his remains. The center is typically busier on weekends, but even on a sweltering Tuesday afternoon in Athens, a few lanes are in use. The loudest cheers come from a group of Dutch tourists, seeking refuge from the heat in their beloved game.
Nick appears to be the star player, achieving strike after strike. For the uninitiated, a strike is scored when a player knocks down all 10 pins with their first throw. If some pins remain standing but are knocked down with the second throw (the final one for each player’s turn), it’s called a spare.
The scores are displayed overhead on a retro screen that seems frozen in the ’90s or early ’00s. The entire place is a nostalgic trip back in time, before the advent of mobile phones and social media. A time when the game was all that mattered.
But if Nick is impressive, Ruel is in a league of his own. He bowls alone, focusing intently before each throw, repeating the same precise motion. His throws are smooth, lacking the heavy thud of the ball hitting the floor. It’s as if the ball is gliding.
It’s a ritual in its own right.
He’s been bowling since 2012. Originally from the Philippines, he and his fellow countrymen have formed a club. Every Sunday, they gather to compete against each other. There are no prizes, just the prestige and the joy of camaraderie. Today, however, he’s not here for a match. He’s here to train. But above all, he’s here to enjoy himself.
“I used to play basketball. In the Philippines, we adore basketball, it’s our national sport. As I got older, I stopped playing, but I couldn’t just sit idle. I needed a new sport. That’s when I discovered bowling,” he shares.
“Bowling isn’t just another game to me, it’s a passion. I’m not a professional, despite what some might think. What I enjoy is the camaraderie with my friends and the fun we have. It’s also a great way to stay active,” he adds, showing me the metal brace he wears on his arm before each throw to prevent wrist strain.
Our chat is brief as he needs to return to his training. “Long breaks aren’t beneficial,” he explains politely, before picking up a ball and launching it down the lane in his signature style. The ball skids slightly before knocking down eight pins. An impressive shot for any amateur player, but par for the course for someone of his skill.
The sound of bowling balls striking pins begins to fill the air as more people gather. The Metropolitan Bowling Center, along with a few other establishments scattered across Attica, from the western to the northern suburbs, has become a local haunt, keeping both bowling and billiards alive and well.
There’s the Super Bowl in Renti, boasting 25 lanes and offering ping-pong until midnight, the historic Royal Bowling in Peristeri, Strike Bowling in Haidari, and of course, Village Fun & Bowling at The Mall Athens, which draws a significant crowd, particularly on weekends.
Giorgos Langaditis, who has experienced all the ups and downs of the sport in Greece, from its early days to its peak and subsequent decline, believes that the conditions are better now. “People of all ages come to play. From seniors to young children. Many grandparents even bring their grandchildren to teach them how to play.
“It’s deeply moving to witness,” he remarks.
With over half a century of experience in the business, his enthusiasm remains undimmed. “I come here, I practice, and I play with my friend Christos Papanikolaou, an Olympic pole vault champion. I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon,” he says, laughing. A few minutes later, another family walks into the shop, eager to bowl. The group includes a mom, a dad, a child, and a few others.
They appear to enjoy the game, even when their balls veer off course and miss the pins entirely. Unfazed, Ruel continues to bowl. In fact, he’s even propped his phone up on the table to analyze his throws later. Just like a professional.
Perhaps he’ll join his club at one of the tournaments occasionally held at the Metropolitan Bowling Center. Behind him, a table displays the names of all the teams that have played there, from Agia Paraskevi to Maroussi and Glyfada. The list goes on. Notably, some of Greece’s historic sports clubs, including AEK, which recently won the Greek championship, have joined the bowling ranks.
And to think, this all started as a game that Henry VIII enjoyed on his estates in the 15th century. Could the English king, who had once banned bowling for the lower classes, have imagined that six centuries later, the game would still be so popular? Probably not. But, as they say, strike!
Metropolitan Bowling Center, October 122nd, 210 6746333
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