MONROE — The two guys at the bar have been coming here almost daily for a decade. They and the joint’s owner and barkeep are friends.
But the place they are in on a recent afternoon is more than a pub. It is a real, “Third Place,” a public gathering space where people can connect with others outside of their home and workplace: Not Home. Not Work. And not church, although there is plenty of neighborly love at Leisure Lanes, a staple of community and bowling in Monroe since 1974.
A term popularized by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in his 1989 book The Great Good Place, a third place is a neutral ground where people can build relationships and share resources. Third places can help promote social interaction, community trust, and resource sharing, which can support health.
But that’s all-academic talk for ‘a fun place for everyone.’ At its heart it is a bowling alley, but it is also a place that represents one of the few options that might make the kids put their phones down, if only until they take a selfie to report their activities to social media
Dan Goepfert, a tall, unassuming man with a mane of silver hair, has been involved with the business since 1985. Most days he runs the show, but also tends bar and does whatever needs to be done.
“People have been coming here for over 40 years,” he said. “We get a lot of support from the community.”
And not just to bowl or drink. For many decades it has hosted every kind of community event, from birthday parties to political meetings, retirement parties and fundraisers for local causes.
Year after Year. Decade after decade. For many, it represents “a place to hang out,” said Goepfert.
Billed online as Monroe’s “most complete entertainment center since 1974,” the bowling part features 16 lanes with cutting edge automatic scoring, and available bumper lanes. It employs about 15 people to keep it running, though most of those are part-time workers.
It draws bowlers not only from Monroe but those from Freeport, New Glarus, and Lafayette County.
Indeed, the league bowlers are some of the longest-term patrons at Leisure Lanes, according to Goepfert, who has been operating the business since 1985. Some of those dedicated league members keep bowling well into old-age — despite not being as fast or strong as before, he said, adding that it is a pleasure to see them stay active.
“They are dedicated to this place and I’m always happy to see our league bowlers,” said Goepfert. “They just like to be a part of it and see their friends here.”
As for the gentlemen at the bar on a recent weekday, Leisure Lanes has become like a home away from home.
“It’s got just the right atmosphere,” said Steve Ostley. “There is so much to do here for everyone.”
Paul Baker of Monroe also is a very familiar face at Leisure Lanes. He lives across the street and has been coming here almost daily after work for nearly a decade.
“We just love happy hour and we love the bartender,” he said, gesturing to Goepfert, who is cleaning glassware at the other end of the bar.
Live entertainment typically takes place on Saturday nights during the league bowling season, from September to April. A lot of local bands got their start playing there on the regular for family and friends.
“Leisure Lanes has been doing live music since the 70s,” Goepfert told the Times last year. “We have a lot of local talent bands from rock and classic rock to blues and country.”
Patrons can also enjoy daily food specials starting at 11 a.m. each day, as well as a popular happy hour Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations are not required to bowl but are encouraged for large groups. All prices, including for shoe rentals, are available daily on the Leisure Lanes website.
