A young Italian bowler encourages his teammate to do her best at the Disco Bowling in Casoria, minutes from the U.S. Navy Capodichino base. The Disco Bowling, located in a sprawling shopping and entertainment complex, is open 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily, and features specials such as "surprise Monday" in which prizes are given out, karaoke on Fridays and live bands on the weekends. (Sandra Jontz / S&S)
CASORIA, Italy — We’ve pinned down an after-hours event the whole family can enjoy.
In your spare time, strike your fancy at the Disco Bowling multi-entertainment complex in Casoria, just down the alley from the U.S. Navy base at Capodichino.
OK, done with the puns.
Just a few minutes from the U.S. Navy Capodichino base sits a shopping and entertainment complex featuring amusement opportunities — from Disco Bowling to eateries, a pub, shopping, and trampolines with tension harnesses that test the physical fitness of even the best-in-shape jumpers.
It’s a little-known entertainment treasure to Americans, said one of the bowling alley’s managers, in spite of the fact that it’s practically in the base’s back yard.
Bowling has increasingly become popular among Italians, said manager Ernesto Pesce. Not quite to the levels of American enthusiasts, but it is growing.
“We offer a location that is right for all kinds of people, and it’s a clean and respectable location aimed at entertaining,” Pesce said.
The 12-alley Disco Bowling center is just that — in the late evening hours, the overhead lights dim and the neon comes out as disco and pop rock pump through speakers.
The pub offers an array of beers and liquors as well as American-style foods such as burgers and sandwiches.
The center is open daily from 10 a.m. to about 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. Bowling fares depend on the time of day: from 2 euros per person during midmorning, weekday hours, to 5 euros per person during the more popular evening and weekend hours, Pesce said. On Tuesdays, people bowl for a flat 3 euros.
If bowling isn’t quite enough, the center offers an array of other entertainment outlets, from air hockey to billiards and video games. On Thursdays, visitors can test the swing for their hips to Caribbean, salsa and meringue dancing. Fridays are reserved for karaoke, and there’s live music featured in the pub on weekends.
Several staff member speak English, Pesce said.
The overall complex that houses the Disco Bowling center, next to the Carrefour megastore in Casoria, features clothing and household goods store outlets, a Burger King, multiplex cinema (with movies shown in Italian, of course), and Pizza e Vino (pizza and wine) eatery.
For 5 euros, you can even spring into action on the trampoline/tension harness contraption in the center courtyard.
To see previous After Hours reviews, go to stripes.com/afterhours.
Disco Bowling
Where: Naples, ItalyPrices: menu and beer prices range from 3 euro to 8 euroSpecialty: bowlingDress: casualCover charge: None.Clientele: mostly Italians having a great time — and most not afraid to hit the guttersLocation: Complesso Multibit, shopping complex near the Carrefour in Casoria.Phone: 081-250-7039Web site: None.
