Know a place where you can play pickleball, have nerf gun wars, throw a football at bowling pins, shoot baskets, and more? We do.
First and Bowl is a smorgasbord of sports games that has something for everyone, truly. Its namesake comes from the unique concoction of football and bowling, but how all of the other games got thrown under one roof is something you’ll have to keep reading to find out.
How did First and Bowl get its start? What is your background?
First and Bowl was founded in 2019 by three friends — Bryan MacKenzie, Tim Johnson, and Craig Galarneau — who shared a love of sports and a desire to bring something new to Milwaukee. While we didn’t invent football bowling, we were the first to introduce it to the city, and it quickly became a hit!
How long have you been in business? Have you faced any major challenges with growing your business or any triumph stories?
We’ve been open since 2019, and like many small businesses, our first big challenge came with the pandemic. It pushed us to get creative — from expanding our game offerings to focusing more on private events and team outings. Those changes ended up helping us grow even stronger, and today we’re proud to be one of Milwaukee’s favorite hangout spots for families, friends, and companies alike.
What is First and Bowl, and why did you feel it would be a good fit in Milwaukee?
First and Bowl is a one-of-a-kind entertainment venue featuring six different games under one roof — including football bowling, basketball connect 4, indoor pickleball, a Nerf arena, a Wiffle ball field, and cornhole. Milwaukee’s strong sports culture and community spirit made it the perfect place to launch something playful, interactive, and social like this.
What’s the mission behind First and Bowl?
Our mission is simple: to bring people together for fun and friendly competition. Whether it’s coworkers bonding, families celebrating, or friends just hanging out, we want everyone who walks through our doors to have a great time and make lasting memories.
What is it like being a small business in MKE?
Milwaukee has such a strong sense of community — people love supporting local spots and trying something new. Being part of that ecosystem as a small business is both exciting and rewarding. We’ve built great relationships with other local owners and partners who genuinely root for one another.
What do you like about being in Milwaukee?
The people, hands down. Milwaukee knows how to have fun and support its own. The energy here, especially around sports and local businesses, is unmatched — and we love being part of that vibe.
What’s your favorite part about what you’re doing?
Watching people laugh, compete, and connect. It’s awesome seeing groups go from a little competitive to full-on cheering each other on. Those moments of pure fun and connection are what make everything worth it.
What can people expect when going to First and Bowl?
A mix of energy, games, and good times! Guests can expect a casual, friendly atmosphere where they can play, eat, drink, and just let loose. Whether you’re hosting an event, playing a quick game, or grabbing a drink after work, there’s something for everyone here.
Anything else we should know about your business or anything you’d like to mention?
We love collaborating with local organizations — from hosting fundraisers and team events to company tournaments. Our goal has always been to create a place that brings people together, and we’re proud to see how Milwaukee has embraced that.