‘Much more fun’ than bowling. This new, unique activity is coming to downtown Macon

Jenna Eason
·2 min read

A new recreational activity is coming to downtown Macon.

Duckpin bowling, similar to traditional bowling, will be introduced to the Macon community in 2024 at The Social Duck, said Dr. Kris Ellis, owner of Bearfoot Tavern and The Social Duck.

The Social Duck will be located next door to Bearfoot Tavern with a conjoining door to the restaurant so that patrons can buy food and drinks. To stay up-to-date with The Social Duck, people can sign up for email notifications at its website, socialduckmacon.com.

“I’m all about bringing new things and exposing people to new opportunities, new ideas, and it was great. When I did it, it was more fun than regular bowling. So, I thought it’d be a great thing to bring here,” Ellis said. “You don’t even know you’re not really bowling. To me, it’s much more fun than regular bowling.”

The announcement for the new venture was made at NewTown Macon’s press conference regarding a $1 million investment from Synovus Bank to NewTown Macon’s loan program.

“It’s overwhelming sometimes how lucky we are to have partners like this who are not going to stop until every building is full of something fun and vibrant and that’s building income and wealth for Maconites,” said Josh Rogers, president and CEO of NewTown Macon, at the news conference.

The new business will have six lanes for duckpin bowling and a separate entrance from Bearfoot Tavern, although the two spaces will be connected.

Duckpin bowling does not require people to wear bowling shoes, and the ball is small enough to fit in your hand. The lanes are also shorter.

“You can come down and really make an evening of downtown,” Ellis said. “I think it’s going to enhance downtown, especially second street, which I’m most fond of.”

They have been working for about a year on the project, and Ellis said he hopes to open the business in around six months. Delays are inevitable, but once construction starts, it should move rather quickly, he said.

“I’m just excited about the project. I’m excited about downtown. I’m excited about Bearfoot. We have new menu items that are available and people should give us a try,” he said.