Things to Do in Lilburn

At both of Oasis Bowling Center's locations, polished lanes stretch from penalty line to pins. A festive soundtrack of strikes, spares, and high-fives fuels the competition as players partake in 10-frame matches to see who can roll the highest score. Two bars—Brucey's Sports Bar and Grill at the Loganville location and Thirsty Turtle Sports Bar and Grill at the Buford location—provide respite from the games with food and drinks. Patrons can gaze toward wall-mounted TVs or settle tiebreakers on the pool tables or in front of dartboards. On their way back to the lanes, bowlers can stop by the pro shops to find a pair of shoes that provide the most traction during celebratory dances.

In 1975, four friends with hearts full of the great outdoors decided they needed a place to get gear indoors. This quest for adventuring equipment lead Bubba Sloan, Gerald Marshall, Denny Mays, and Ned Buxton to found High Country Outfitters as a gear shop for all manner of activities performed under the sun. These days, Bubba runs the retail side of things in Buckhead, while Gerald continues to captain daring cruises down the Ocoee River's relentless rapids. The store kits out customers for safe communing with nature with tools and togs from manufacturers including The North Face, Patagonia, and Big Green Egg, whose verdantly painted smoker grill creates hot meals in the midst of a long trip or particularly boring wait in the airport. Meanwhile, guides lead expeditionary parties along on waterborne trips down the Middle and Upper Ocoee’s burbling banks, recapturing the sun-dappled fun that inspired the store's creation in the first place.

A household name on the Atlanta yoga circuit and a skilled teacher of the ancient art, Bethany Vaughn brings credibility to Red Hot Yoga. She houses the studio in a space formerly used by an antique flooring company, welcoming students to spread their mats over beautiful 100-year-old wide-plank pine flooring in the two expansive practice spaces. Bethany centers her fifth and favorite studio on a power-yoga style that's performed in a 105-degree setting. Three levels of power classes cater to practitioners of all abilities, helping those new to the practice to link the flowing poses with conscious breathing techniques while challenging more experienced stretchers with advanced postures. Red Hot Yoga's 4,200 square feet of space includes changing and shower facilities, eliminating the need to bring along a tent equipped with shelves.

Cinematic drama, action, and romance soar across 131 all-digital screens at Movie Tavern's 16 locations in seven states. With the latest first-run releases and triweekly showings of Retro Cinema classics, its theaters entertain with the chases and hijinks churned out by Hollywood’s dream factories. Viewers can pair their flicks with frothy brews, a choice of wines, or items from a menu stocked not just with staples like popcorn and candies, but also with grill-seared burgers, homemade pizzas, and chef-inspired appetizers. All sweet and savory selections can be delivered to a tabled seat inside the theater after placing an order at the concession stand.

Movie Tavern shakes up the traditional theater experience with more than its food, varied beverage selection, and table service. Its Breakfast & a Flick treats early weekend risers to films and food inspired by classics with dishes such as the French Connection Toast. Its group outings help businesses captivate employees at holiday parties without having to project a slideshow of their personal emails. The Movie Tavern membership awards a free birthday movie tickets and popcorn to members when they sign up, and sends out invites to special events and screenings.

At any given time of the day, Japan House may be experiencing a tranquil stillness as students quietly cycle through poses, or combat as students kick, punch, and strike padded opponents. A cultural, fitness, and wellness center, Japan House offers yoga, qigong, and Tai Chi classes that provide a physical, mental, and spiritual workout that’s also low impact, quiet, and relaxing. On the other hand, Kempo karate and jujutsu give workouts an extra punch–literally. The classes teach students offensive and defensive striking methods and takedowns to use as self-defense against bullies, attackers, and low-flying pigeons. Aikido, a non-violent form of self-defense, teaches students to use the attacker’s own force to throw them off balance and prevent an attack.