Bowling, laser tag, booze — new
Bakersfield fun center to have it all, in 45,000 square feet

By JENNIFER SELF

May 16, 2017 

"New Entertainment Venue Coming to Bakersfield!"

That was the somewhat subdued subject line — exclamation
point aside — of an email sent to media organizations earlier this week by the
project's PR firm.

But there's nothing subdued about The BLVD, billed as
"an exciting new entertainment and dining concept, opening later this
year."

The 45,000-plus-square-foot venue will occupy the
long-vacant Home Base building on Buck Owens Boulevard and feature 22
"state-of-the-art" bowling lanes, 60 interactive arcade games, a
two-story locally themed laser tag arena, three bars, huge patio area, full
"gastro-pub-style" menu and two bocce ball courts — what even is
bocce ball, by the way?

The BLVD — short for boulevard — is the concept of David C.
Bynum, who co-owns Rush Air Sports in the same complex, a complex that has been
transformed from a graveyard for abandoned big-box stores and warehouses into
arguably Bakersfield's epicenter for entertainment.

In addition to Rush and the coming BLVD, Bakersfield Karting
Experience opened in February, joining Temblor Brewing Company, a
brewery/restaurant/live entertainment venue that debuted in 2015, paving the
way for the revitalization of the once-moribund compound. Temblor, by the way,
is co-owned by Bynum's brother, Don Bynum.

David Bynum has formed an LLC, "locally owned by a
group of residents looking to provide high-quality entertainment and dining
options to the people of Bakersfield and Kern County." The BLVD LLC is
working with Trifecta Management Group on the project. No principals beyond
Bynum have been identified, but we'll continue to monitor the progress of The
BLVD, so watch for our upcoming reports.

More on The BLVD, slated to begin construction this month.

• Bowlers who fancy themselves ballers need not mingle with
regular bowlers. There will be a private eight-lane "boutique"
bowling area set aside for high-rollers featuring HDTVs, sofa seating and
lounge area for "the ultimate private party and sports-viewing
experience." The area will have a private bar and billiard tables. 

• The BLVD checks off all the buzz words in nouveau cuisine:
"gastro-pub-style farm-to-table" fare will include shishito peppers,
creamy rice, fresh guacamole and meatballs. Larger meals consist of pizzas,
street tacos, short ribs and "hand-crafted" burgers (what's a
non-hand-crafted burger, by the way?).

• Full-service venue for the kids (arcade
games/bowling/indoor ropes course) to the adults (signature drinks, deejays,
live entertainment). The BLVD leaves no demographic behind!

• The game will be on. With more than 40 televisions
throughout the venue, there will be no escaping major — even minor — sporting
events. 

http://www.bakersfield.com/entertainment/jennifer-self-bowling-laser-tag-booze-new-bakersfield-fun-center/article_f6069097-fef0-5d7e-8af2-5fa8556b7665.html