conjures images of stinky shoes, sweaty wrist towels, and well-worn, beer-soaked carpeted floors. If that’s not glamorous enough for your fancy self, you can head to Cham Pang Lanes for duckpin bowling — skinny pins and small balls — in a sleek and swanky environment. This recent addition to downtown Phoenix has six lanes for bowling. If you want to get involved with other types of balls, four pinball machines and two pool tables are also on-site. Whatever game you choose to play, you’ll do it under soft white lights that illuminate the pale pink- and aqua-colored decor. The beer menu features standouts from local breweries, and the cocktail menu offers an array of tasty options. We said the best bougie spot for bowling, right? Then it’s a must-note that you can get bottles of Champagne — feel free to call it “champers” — that range from $80 to $495. The food, too, is an elevated experience. A mayo-covered plate of popcorn chicken adorned with Thai-lime curry, herbs, and jalapenos is bar food at its very best. Best Roller Skating GREAT SKATE 10054 North 43rd Avenue, Glendale 623-842-1181 unitedskates.com/great-skate Phoenix rolls deep. The Valley boasts a ton of roller rinks — it’s even home to a facility dubbed “the Hall of Dames” that houses the Arizona Derby Dames’ impressive wooden banked track. But slow your roll — located in Glendale Towne Center, Great Skate is the best venue to lace up, whether you’re 5 years old or 50. The rink boasts a fully stocked “Roller Café” full of tasty snacks, state-of-the-art sound systems, live DJs, and a huge arcade with awesome prizes. For the kiddos, Great Skate even helps roll education and fun into one with its STEM programs, skate-themed science and mathematics lessons that focus on hands-on activities that are both educa- tional and fun. Don’t let the family-friendly vibe fool you, though. Thursday nights are for grownups only, and the venue provides nostalgia for all with wormholes to the ’70s and ’80s, featuring everything from disco balls to costume contests, air guitar compe- titions, photo backdrops, and even a pop-up waffle bar inspired by the hit Netflix show Stranger Things. Best Ice Skating COYOTES ICE DEN 7225 West Harrison Street, Chandler 480-598-9400 9375 East Bell Road, Scottsdale 480-585-7465 icedenchandler.com In a city where the weather can often be described as “sweltering,” it’s a comfort to 102 BEST OF PHOENIX 2022 | WWW.BESTOFPHOENIX2022.C0M | SEPTEMBER 29, 2022
