A bowl’d new business: Henry Dorrbaker’s opens in downtown Beloit
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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BELOIT, Wis. — Downtown’s newest entertainment venue blends vintage and modern eras in both its look and entertainment offerings.
Henry Dorrbaker’s, 605 Third St. at the Ironworks Campus, opened its doors Monday to showcase its makeover from an empty industrial space to a lively pub with retro arcade games, duckpin bowling and other activities that switch between old school charm and modern fun.
“It’s the first of its kind in downtown. We’re so excited to have it,” said Shauna El-Amin, executive director of the Downtown Beloit Association. “It’s going to bring so many people downtown and give friends and families an opportunity to get out and go do something together. It’s great for our entire community, but for our downtown it’s huge.”
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A wall of cassette tapes lines the entryway to the venue, which has touches of decor throughout that pay homage to the site’s industrial history. There are bricks, doors and old industrial equipment from bygone Beloit businesses incorporated into the revamped space. That includes an industrial-themed nine-hole mini golf course.
Other activities include a competitive car-racing simulator, an eight-person foosball table, basketball pop-a-shot, shuffleboard and nostalgic classics such as pinball, Pac-Man, Pong and Donkey Kong.
It was raining for opening night, but during nicer weather a 5,400-square-foot outdoor patio will feature a live entertainment stage, walk-up bar and space for yard games such as bags and an oversized Jenga.
The venue is open for all ages, but it’s a 21 and older venue after 8 p.m.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome the community into Henry Dorrbaker’s,” said Julio Pitre, the venue’s general manager. “Our aim is to provide a one-of-a-kind entertainment destination where friends and families can create unforgettable memories together.”
The 20,000-square-foot space is named for the owner of the city’s first bowling alley. That alley, where Dorrbaker also lived, opened in 1899 in conjunction with a buffet in the 400 block of State Street, according to the Greater Beloit USBC Bowling Association.
Today, Henry Dorrbaker’s is centered on duckpin bowling with a dozen lanes to play the twist on the classic sport.
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Duckpin bowling uses shorter lanes, smaller balls with no finger holes, lighter pins and provides three rolls of the ball per frame instead of two.
Pitre said people can catch on to duckpin bowling faster than its bigger brother.
“I like bowling, but it’s not as uptight as bowling. The lanes aren’t oiled, the balls are smaller, you don’t have to wear (special) shoes,” he said. “It’s a little laid back. It’s like bowling’s really cool cousin.”
The bar and kitchen offers its twist on traditional pub fare, such as brisket sliders, wings, Italian beef sliders, and nachos. There is also an array of signature drinks such as the Dick Tracy Manhattan with bourbon, sweeet vermouth, bitters and candied bacon, or the shark with coconut rum, blue curacao, lime juice, pineapple and simple syrup.
The venue is the latest venture from Geronimo Hospitality Group, a collection of hotels, restaurants and clubs founded by Diane Hendricks and her late husband, Ken.
Hendricks, a billionaire businesswoman whose ventures have reshaped much of downtown, rolled a few frames and raced cars on the virtual tracks as part of opening night activities.
Rob Gerbitz, president and CEO of Geronimo Hospitality and Hendricks Commercial Properties, said the idea for Henry Dorrbaker’s started as a challenge from Hendricks.
“She said, OK, I go out and have a great dinner with family and friends, then what?” Gerbitz said. “This idea was born off that.”
El-Amin, whose Downtown Beloit Association also runs the weekly farmers market, said Henry Dorrbaker’s should prove to be a regional draw.
She said the Beloit Farmer’s Market brings people in from a 60-mile radius, their data shows.
“This is another opportunity for them to stay longer,” El-Amin said. “We look forward to what this is going to do for the downtown.”
About | Henry Dorrbaker’s
Where: 605 Third St., Beloit, Wisconsin
Hours: 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to midnight Friday; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday
*Must be 21 and older after 8 p.m.
Online: henrydorrbakers.com
Contact: 608-207-3517; info@henrydorrbakers.com
Instagram: @Henrydorrbakers
Facebook: @dorrbakers
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
