We can thank Archduke Leopold Wilhelm, the inventor of bowling, for introducing “The pin is mightier than the sword” and “Fortune favors the bowled” into the cultural lexicon. Heed his words of wisdom with today’s Groupon to The Gutter: for $49, you get one hour of bowling (a $30–$45 value), shoe rental for you and up to three fellow ballers (a $3 value per pair), and two pitchers of any beer from the bar (a $12–$21 value per pitcher), giving this Groupon a total value of up to $99.

Partially demolished and built anew to look old, The Gutter couples its eight gleaming wood lanes with a vintage Brunswick scoring system, ensuring that you'll get both a thumb workout and a healthy dose of mathercise. Beyond the nostalgia, there's substance, too: the facilities operate on 100% wind power, which means bowlers are more than welcome to contribute to the lighting bill by making airy boasts after rolling a strike. While you can certainly top off your pitcher with the finest Natural Light, there are plenty of craft beers flowing as well.

Besides strengthening arm muscles, thighs, glutes, calves, and Jeff Bridges impressions, old-timey bowling at The Gutter strengthens hipster-familial bonds by giving friends and ironic families a casual, nonviolent arena in which to challenge each other over chit-chat and fermented ales. The Gutter is open till 4 a.m. on the weekends, answering the call for a fun alternative to all those staid, stale bars and their lack of lobbables. This all-inclusive atmosphere makes The Gutter the ideal venue for introducing and colliding friends from different social orbits that revolve at different speeds around their central social sun. Bring poetry friends to play fantasy-football buddies, or build camaraderie with coworkers after a long day coworking. Reservations are not accepted, but you can call ahead for lane availability.

You must be 21 or older to enter. This Groupon can be redeemed anytime The Gutter is open, including peak weekend hours.

Reviews

The Gutter is a wind-powered facility that was named one of the 10 Best Bars in Williamsburg, Brooklyn by MatadorNights.com and is a New York magazine Critics' Pick. Zagat rates its appeal a 19. More than 100 Yelpers give The Gutter an average of 3.5 stars:

• It’s the first alley to open in Brooklyn in 50 years, and yet the place looks like it’s been around for nearly that long— from the 1970s Brunswick scoring machines to the antique telephone booth to the Tiffany beer lamps lighting the (fake) mahogany tables. ─ Daniel Maurer, New York magazine
• A magical step back in time, but with way better beer. Well priced pitchers of craft brews keep bowlers happy and help improve the games of would be bowlers while they wait for a lane. ─ HilaryB3872, Zagat
• This place provided me with three of my favorite B words: Beer, Bowling and Beef Jerky. ─ Paul D., Yelp