Kingpin Bowling Is Claiming Its Throne as the Hottest Celebrity Nightlife Experience

As Juneteenth celebrations in downtown Miami faded into a sluggish Thursday night, a trickle of guests made their way past the red velvet ropes and security guards at Lucky Strike. Nestled in downtown Miami’s newest entertainment and retail destination, Miami Worldcenter, Lucky Strike has resurrected its reputation as a go-to for bowling enthusiasts, tourists, and friends looking to switch up their game nights inside the sleek, 28-lane venue. But Thursday nights are reserved. Shortly after 9 p.m., the venue transforms from a family-friendly atmosphere to one of the hottest after-hours in the city: Kingpin Bowling. 

A short elevator ride led to a modern, open-air space replete with an arcade, a wrap-around bar, and slick, luminescent bowling lanes perfectly paralleled to one another like mini runways. Miami-based DJ Don Hot opened the night with R&B and hip-hop throwbacks before setting the backdrop with an energetic mix of dancehall and viral hits. Just shy of Kingpin’s one-year anniversary at the Miami Lucky Strike location, celebrity entourages took turns bowling over light bites and mixed drinks while girls danced near the DJ booth. Also, no tacky bowling shoes were required – just a dress-to-impress code that meant some women bowled in their heels. 

Despite the lax safety rules, athletes and celebrities slowly packed each lane while bottle girls carrying glowing marquee signs announced the arrival of a new V.I.P guest. Tonight’s star-studded guest list ticked off names like Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, former lightweight undisputed champion boxer Devin Haney, and former Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside. Rappers Bizzy Crook, Zoey Dollaz and French Montana mingled with athletes, influencers, and a “Who’s Who” of the music industry. The diverse crowd represented the usual Thursday night experience tucked behind Lucky Strike’s sealed entrance.  

Founded by nightlife connoisseurs Jermaine Bush and DJ Brian “Brees” Torres, Kingpin Bowling Group is putting a new spin on curated nightlife experiences. In an era where clubs are inundated with people who are more engaged with their phones than the dance floor, the weekly activation is a reprieve for athletes, entertainers, and socialites trading sections for strikes. 

Bush and Torres started their weekly game nights as an intimate hangout between friends at Lucky Strike in downtown Los Angeles, just as the city was waking back up from the pandemic. With a scarce roster of events to promote or DJ, a group of promoters found camaraderie and competition in one of America’s oldest pastimes. 

“It kind of went from just eight of us until it grew into 16, 20,” Torres recalls. “Then, random celebrities would pop in while we were there. And one night, one of the managers approached me and was like, ‘Hey, would you want to start your own industry night here on Mondays?’ 

The conversation eventually led the pair to pitch an after-hours concept described as “late-night bowling meets the night club.” The interactive experience would create a space where live music, games, and connection converge. The partnership was mutually beneficial – Torres and Bush packed the spot with V.I.P guests while the franchise’s ambience provided a new and nostalgic experience. They were given the Monday night slot and launched their Kingpin Bowling series in June of 2022, quickly becoming a popular scene in Los Angeles’ nightlife.  

When Bowlero purchased Lucky Strike in 2023, it not only adopted the franchise’s name, but also absorbed Kingpin Bowling’s successful weekly event. The acquisition opened the doors for Kingpin to expand across the country in major cities like New York, Houston, Dallas and Miami. 

In the three years since Kingpin Bowling’s launch, it’s attracted a roster of athletes and artists like Jamie Foxx, James Harden, Floyd Mayweather, Leon Thomas and Future. They’ve also partnered with brands like Hennessey, Rolling Loud, Homme + Femme and hosted star-studded after parties in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Miami for NBA All Star Weekend, the BET Awards, Art Basel and F1 Miami. 

In January, Kingpin debuted their bowling night in Paris during Paris Men’s Fashion Week. In partnership with Homme + Femme and sponsored by Casa Del Sol Tequila, they recruited celebrity stylist and fashion influencer Bloody Osiris to host while Torres, DJ Lucky and Dre Sinatra orchestrated the vibe inside of Bowling Foch’s retro interior. International stars and familiar faces, including Playboi Carti, Ty Dolla $ign, Don Toliver,  Eladio Carrión, French Montana and The Clermont Twins, packed the quaint underground bowling alley tucked away at Le Duplex. While celebs took turns bowling their most impressive scores, a growing crowd vying for their entry into the exclusive hot spot lingered in front of the bowling alley. 

“They didn’t understand what we were doing. We gave them the layout of how our night works and they were like, ‘Okay, sure,” he recalls about the bowling alley’s apprehension of their event. “We had 600 people trying to get in. People in Paris loved it and that’s why we get hundreds of guests trying to come in,” he said. 

Kingpin Bowling made its return to France this past June during the seasonal Paris Men’s Fashion Week and in April, the collective partnered with Ten Pin Bowling for an invite-only pop-up in London. 

With plans to continue expanding around the world, Torres points to a key component of his event that keeps high-profile guests coming back, no matter their pinned location. 

“Our biggest clients are always going to be athletes and entertainers in the music industry, and I think what makes us different is they’re still able to socialize and be in a loud environment — but there’s a competitive aspect,” Torres tells Billboard. “A lot of guys come in and compete for fun or with their teammates. Athletes can come and meet their favorite artists. It’s a break from the typical night club.”

The community element creates a comfortable environment for celebs who don’t usually shed their facade in public spaces. Miami Heat players freely bounced between lanes as security guards inside Lucky Strike Miami clandestinely blocked guests from recording near certain athletes and artists. 

“It’s a comfortable setting where no one is coming to record them,” says Torres. “On our busiest nights — like during Art Basel — people kind of forget their phones, because they’re so busy bowling and playing a game, whether it be on the arcade side, air hockey, basketball. People are kind of in their own world, recording themselves.”

Miami-based rapper Zoey Dollaz says it’s one of the main reasons he keeps returning to Kingpin every week: “There’s no race or competition. No one is flexing and stunting on you. No matter your status, everyone is one. There’s no violence. You can come here to catch a vibe and be yourself.”

The second reason he gravitates to the bowling lanes? 

“The girls,” he says, while eyeing a trio of attractive women walking to the bar. “It’s a lot of 10s. The ratio is like five girls to one guy. The club is [usually] a sausage fest.”

Kingpin’s most popular guest, French Montana, was a clear fan favorite of the night. He has a hidden talent for bowling and isn’t shy about showing off his competitive edge while athletes and other artists cheer him on. But on this night, he opted to socialize and snap occasional pictures with fans and peers. He chopped it up with rappers like Zoey Dollaz for a while before making his way to a lane. (He declined an interview with Billboard). 

It’s just past 2:00 a.m. and the night is popping with bottles, bowling and baddies. On one side of the room, French Montana engages in small talk with rappers, while on the other side rapper Bizzy Crook and his crew are in celebration mode. For some events, the scene may look chaotic, but for Kingpin, it’s another successful night in the heart of the city. 

“We want brands to see how we’re shaping and shifting the culture,” he said. “We would like to have labels host listening parties with us. We want to seek out the brand and get them to take note of what we’re doing.”

Torres and Bush have no plans to slow down Kingpin Bowling’s expansion. They’ve already secured another partnership with Rolling Loud Miami in December and are positioning the multi-city series as a go-to event for album release parties or for fashion brands to debut new collections.

Torres says he also wants to continue taking the experience global, with eyes on cities like Dubai. But for now, they’re redefining late-night events by trading the cliche party scene for the ultimate adult game night — one that’s injecting fun back into celebrity nightlife.