Xperience: The Boston Bowl Xperience is a private room accommodating up to 75 for social gatherings and corporate team building events, parties, fundraisers, and the like. Photo by Clifford Bonnet

Boston Bowl on Morrissey Boulevard celebrated the grand opening of “Experience,” a six lane bowling boutique that features a club like atmosphere and full bar. The 21-plus section opened with a reception on November 20. The adult-friendly addition is an effort to make the 55 year old, family-owned business competitive in a different entertainment sector.

“One of the biggest things we thought was lacking was a space for private parties and corporate events,” said Jerome Miles, Director of Sales and Marketing at Boston Bowl. The space can hold 75 people and features six lanes of ten pin bowling, multiple high definitions televisions, shuffleboard, and a state of the art stereo system.

“It is just a great space for social events and something we are excited about,” said Miles.

The room will be rented out for business parties and private functions like bachelor and bachelorette parties.

“When we don’t have functions booked in the room we do offer the lanes up for open play,” said Jerome. “It is a nice place to go out separate from the kids and families. It is an upgraded Boston Bowling experience.”

Guests of the grand opening event were treated to complimentary cocktails and wide assortment finger foods served by a smartly dressed wait staff. Many of the quests were Phillips family members, employees, or prospective renters.

Boston Bowl is owned by the Phillips Family Hospitality Group. The company also owns Phillips Candy House, Freeport Tavern, Boston Bowl Hanover and Ramada and Comfort inns in Dorchester. The Phillips family has been in business in the region since they opened Phillips Candy House in 1925. Originally located in Revere, the Phillips Candy House has operated at 818 Morrissey Boulevard since 1952.

“It is a really exciting time to be in the city of Boston,” said part Owner Phil Strazzula. “Dorchester is a wonderful place to be in business and to live, we are happy to be here.”

Strazzula spoke of his family’s long history of business in the area and the lessons that were passed on to him.

Among those on hand for the launch of the Boston Bowl Xperience were: (l-r) Jerome Miles, Paul Fabianski, Joe Sammartino, Phil Strazzula, Matt Sammartino, Beth Sammartino and Lou Pasquale. Photo by Clifford Bonnet

“You have to fix things before they break,” Strazzula said. “Businesses have to change and develop. This renovation is a great example of how Boston Bowl has changed since we opened in 1959.”

Though the renovations make the space a modern night spot, they also reveal the original hard wood ceiling accented by LED lighting. A clock that hung in the original building remains on the wall in the new space.

Strazzula thanked long-time carpenters for the Phillips Company Tom McCarthy and John Firanda.

”I have worked for the Philips company for 40 years,” Firanda said. “I started in the Candy House in ‘73. In ‘76 I came to Boston Bowl and worked on the bowling machines until ‘80 then started branching off working on a little bit of everything.

“I built the bar here. It is my life now. I am really happy with how it all came out. They put a lot of money into it hopefully a lot of people enjoy it,” said Firanda.