TULSA, OK - When you think of the Rose Bowl, do you think of College football and New Years Day? If you don't, then you must have seen the Rose Bowl in Tulsa and its fantastic arching sign that somewhat resembles the famed Arch and Arch Motel in St. Louis. Best of all, it's located off of the old Route 66.

Rose Bowl
Tulsa, OK
Photo courtesy Charles Brock

Check out the Rose Bowl in Tulsa, where even the building looks ready to put on a show. Its pink concrete domes rise above East 11th Street along old Route 66, giving passing motorists something considerably more interesting than a plain bowling alley box. You could come for the roofline and almost forget to bring your bowling shoes.

Designed by Tulsa architect William Henry Ryan, the Rose Bowl opened in 1962. Its unusual arrangement of two-and-a-half concrete domes created a spacious interior beneath those sweeping curves. Tall windows and bubblegum-pink paint completed the look. Apparently, the space age had plenty of room for bowling leagues.

Rose Bowl marquee in 2010
Tulsa, OK
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

For more than four decades, the Rose Bowl brought players together for league nights, regional tournaments and casual games. A food counter and game room added to the entertainment. Along a highway famous for businesses that demanded a second look, this bowling center certainly held its own.

The Rose Bowl also earned a place in movie history. Fans of “Weird Al” Yankovic’s 1989 comedy UHF may recognize it from the “Bowling for Burgers” segment. Filmed in Tulsa in 1988, the movie turned several local businesses into unlikely screen attractions. A pink bowling alley fit right into the fun. No ordinary trophy needed when your lanes could offer a shot at lunch.

Rose Bowl prior to an event
Tulsa, OK
Photo courtesy Mark Hackett

The bowling years ended in 2005, and two arson fires added to concerns about the building’s future. Former operator AMF also imposed a restriction preventing another bowling alley from opening there for twenty years. Even a buyer ready to bring back the pins would have had a considerable wait.

Then came an unusual sales pitch. In 2006, the Rose Bowl was offered on eBay for $499,000. Quite an item to add to the shopping cart. The listing brought attention to the building’s possibilities, although finding a workable new use took more than admiring its curves.

Rose Bowl prior to an event
Tulsa, OK
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The property reopened as an events center in 2008, with some wood from the old bowling lanes reused as flooring. One Hope purchased it in 2012 and adapted the interior for youth programs, including sports, tutoring and mentoring. Basketball and indoor turf brought a different kind of activity beneath the familiar domes.

An empty bowling alley certainly has the makings of a ghost story. Those long, quiet stretches where balls once thundered toward the pins can do plenty for the imagination. Here, though, the Rose Bowl’s more interesting story is how many times people found a reason to bring the building back to life.

Rose Bowl remodeled
Tulsa, OK
Photo courtesy Sam Baker

UPDATE: The Rose Bowl closed its doors on March 12, 2005. In October, the Rose Bowl interior went up in flames. 04-06

UPDATE: Rose Bowl Lanes in Tulsa, OK has been located on Route 66 since 1962. When the building was purchased in 2006, she was boarded-up and burned. It has been remodeled and reopened as an event center. The first concert was held in June, 2008. 04-09

Mr. William H. Ryan and Sam Baker at the Rose Bowl
Tulsa, OK
Photo courtesy Sam Baker

UPDATE: In December 2005 two local businessmen Chris and Sam Baker decided to purchase the building and after negotiations with AMF purchased the building for $295K in February 2006. After exploring many options for the property they decided to resurrect the old gal as an event center and entertainment venue.

Much work, sweat and money went into the old lady and in June of 2008 the first concert was scheduled to be held at the Rose Bowl Event Center. The City of Tulsa had plenty of demands for the old girl to bring her up to current fire safety codes for a multi used event center such as smoke installing more emergency egress doors, fire/smoke alarm systems and a sprinkler system.

David Patrick the City Councilor for this district was instrumental in getting the mayors office behind this project and opening doors for Mr. Baker to workout a plan of action to save the old gal. With help from Jack Page, head of development for the city of Tulsa, En Ho, head of City Planning office and fire marshal Jeff Adsit. Mr. Baker was able to submit a Plan of Action with the City of Tulsa. This Plan of Action would allow the Rose Bowl to hold events and operate while implementing the fire safety upgrades the City requested. This would allow Rose Bowl to test the waters and secure funding for the upgrades and a chance to test the water for the viability of the Rose Bowl as an event center.

The Rose Bowl Event Center has now hosted many local events such as: concerts with bands such as Gutter Mouth, David Allen Cole, Roger Cline and the Peacemakers, The Toasters, Flat Foot 56, Randy Crouch, and a host of local bands. Also the Tulsa Indian Club held their Fall Native American Music Festival at the Rose Bowl. The TSHA (hearing impaired) had their annual fund raiser, Souper Sunday with 23 local restaurants (like the Outback, On the Boarder, the Crusty Croissant) hosting booths and giving sampling of their signature soups to the over 800 attendees. Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church held a fund raiser on Valentine Day this year and raised over $5,000.00 their first event. Many thanks to Rose Bowl owner Sam Baker for latest update. 04-09

UPDATE: The Rose Bowl continues serving the community through One Hope Tulsa. Severe storms damaged its west wall in June 2023, but repairs allowed activities to continue. Youth programs, food distributions and emergency cold-weather shelter have kept the former bowling center useful. The pins are gone, but this pink Route 66 survivor still gives people a reason to come inside. 10-26

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