Holler House Rolls a Strike with Rich Wisconsin Bowling History

It is nestled in the southside Milwaukee neighborhood of Lincoln Village. The area boasts a strong Polish heritage with Holler House a charming place that almost seems frozen in time. Its rich Wisconsin bowling history stretches back to its founding here in 1908. 

Today, not much has changed at the bar with an apartment upstairs and vintage bowling lanes in the basement. These alleys are still made from the wood installed more than 100-years-ago and are oiled by hand with spray cans. The bowling pins are manually reset, and usually by neighborhood kids. Don’t forget to tip them after your game. You won’t find a fancy scoring system either. The scores are written on paper! Need some bowling shoes? You’ll find those in a pile underneath the stairs. It’s a special place where history comes alive when you step on the first lanes ever officially sanctioned in the United States.  

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LISTEN to this “Slice of Wisconsin” featuring Holler House here:

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It also remains a family-run business. “Iron Mike” Skowronski founded Holler House, then his son and daughter-in-law, Gene and Marcy Skowronski, took over in 1954. The fourth and fifth generations are now in charge. 

There’s a quirky tradition that remains, too. Women visiting for the first time will often leave their signed bras hanging from bar fixtures. It’s a unique custom even city inspectors didn’t have the will to shut down! The bar’s eclectic collection of memorabilia on the walls includes a framed newspaper from World War I and the neon signs from when the establishment was known as Gene and Marcy’s Holler House. 

And you may not be surprised to learn, Holler House has hosted many famous visitors over the years, including pro bowling champion Earl Anthony, comedian Larry the Cable Guy, and rock stars like Joe Walsh and Jack White. The bar and bowling alley is typically closed on Mondays but opened specifically for White when he was in town for a concert. Turns out he’s an avid bowler. 

Holler House offers a nostalgic experience, from the hand-set pins to the lively traditions. But if you’re planning to visit and hope to bowl, be sure to call ahead. The owners still rely on local help to keep the lanes running smoothly. It’s another cherished reason this spot remains a beacon of the state’s rich, colorful past, and a “Slice of Wisconsin.”

Courtesy: Holler House