A Jacksonville Beach tradition returns June 17 with the opening of the new Beach Bowl.
But it’s not your parent’s bowling alley.
Beach Bowl, at 818 Beach Blvd., closed in 2019 after being open for about 60 years.
Soon after, Jacksonville-based Ash Properties bought the property, it tore down the structure in 2021 and built it new inside and out except for the original neon signage that faces Beach Boulevard.
The completed two-story facility is about 45,000 square feet.
Now Beach Bowl has been transformed into a family entertainment center, said Assistant General Manager James Selvig.
Construction and outfitting costs were between $16 million and $17.5 million, Selvig said. Ash Properties is operating the business, he said.
It offers a variety of entertainment choices. On the first floor there are 20 bowling lanes with electronic scoring and televisions offering mostly sports. There is a dedicated full-liquor bar and a selection of draft beer.
There is an arcade and a restaurant.
Upstairs, there is a four-lane private party area. Besides traditional bowling, there are games like Angry Birds that have a bowling component.
Bowling on the first floor is $25 per hour per lane for groups of up to six Monday-Thursday. It’s $45 per hour per lane on Friday-Sunday. Upstairs in the private room, the price is $45 per hour Monday-Thursday and $55 per hour on Friday-Sunday.
Shoe rentals are $4 and socks are $4.
The private room pricing depends on the experience the customer wants, Selvig said. Prices vary depending on food packages and the desired level of bar service.
The outdoor covered patio seats about 220 with high-top tables and a lengthy bar. Ceiling fans and heaters provide climate comfort. A stage has been built with a dedicated sound system.
“We will have an upscale restaurant where you can come in to have your business meetings and as well as bring the family,” Selvig said.
“We’ll have entertainment with bands, music, karaoke and trivia nights. We have all kinds of things planned.”
Beach Bowl’s more than 150 employees are dressed in pink shirts. 
A week out from opening day, Beach Bowl was swarming with new employees learning their jobs. The restaurant was one area of focus. Kitchen crews and waitstaff were giving the proposed menu trial runs to determine what dishes would make the cut, Selvig said.
The menu has appetizers, salads, tacos, flatbread pizza, burgers, sandwiches, wraps and desserts. Prices are $12 to $17. Most items are in the $12-$13 range.
Besides the regular menu, there will be daily specials.
Selvig expects plenty of interest in Beach Bowl when it opens. To accommodate as many people as possible, there will be no restaurant reservations at first. For the time being, there is no pro shop. Bowling leagues may come down the road, depending on general interest and the demand for open bowling.
“If you knew the old Beach Bowl, it was a beautiful place but it was rundown. It needed a facelift. It needed a change to adapt to the future. And I think that’s what this is,” Selvig said.
“As you walk through the door or as soon as you drive into the parking lot, you get that Miami kind of vibe.”
Beach Bowl is open 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday.
Besides its parking lot, valet parking will be available at two neighboring businesses.
