Needless to say, I'm somewhat hooked on this madness, but as much due to Barnum Lanes as to the game itself. Barnum Lanes is a throwback to an era before AMF and other conglomerates decided to engineer out a lot of the fun of the game in search of profits. You pay for your games by the hour or half-hour, instead of by the string. Scoring is by paper and pencil, rather than by computer. There are lots comfortable places to sit.
Kids can bowl in their socks.
Bumper lanes are available to lighten up the game for the very young, who come in abundance for birthday party gatherings. League bowling in the other evenings is vibrant, including people from all walks of life. The staff is a core of duckpin die-hards, and to some degree Barnum Lanes is the Mecca of the game in Connecticut, attracting many of its most talented players. You may encounter Swede Lavers behind the counter, who has numerous state and national championships under his belt. On quiet days, you may be fortunate enough to see this mountain of a man amble out to the lanes and sneak in a little target practice.