Lucky Strike Hopes New Arcade/Food Concept Powers Up Streeterville

Facing competition in Streeterville from Pinstripes, Lucky Strike — the bowling/bar restaurant hybrid inside the building housing the AMC River East 21 at 322 E. Illinois — is unveiling a 20,000-square-foot arcade with "gastropub-style food" on June 5.

When patrons enter and rise up the escalators and look to the left, they'll see the familiar Lucky Strike. Looking to the right they'll see a new 20,000-square-foot steampunk-inspired space called FTW, which is Internet shorthand for "for the win." New video games, such as the four-player driving game, "Sega Showdown," and carnival-type games will fill the space.

But Lucky Strike Entertainment's banking on a full menu of small plates with a food cart toting offerings to game players to draw new customers, items like mini Sloppy Joes, fried green tomato BLTs, rock shrimp tacos. They're calling the cart service "American dim sum." An ahi tuna flatbread and a black bean veggie burger will also appear on the menu.

Drink-wise, the bar will offer 32 craft beers and craft cocktails. There's also a six-hole mini golf course and a 104-square-foot video wall that will show sporting events. Four private party rooms and a retail store component round out the space, which will feature murals by local artists.

Will these new games spice up life in Streeterville? Check back in June.