Best low-key Friday night
Location: 1064 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Readers’ pick: E Street Cinema

Sometimes on a Friday night, you’d rather be relaxing than pregaming. Pinstripes in Georgetown, which puts an adult twist on a childhood birthday party favorite, is perfect for just that.

Bowling is a tried-and-true Friday night activity and while it may be seen as old fashioned, at Pinstripes you will find an upscale version with sleek lanes and leather couches. Bowling shoes will never be stylish, but at least at Pinstripes they’re in good condition.

Pinstripes also has four bocce lanes. Bocce is a classic outdoor Italian game where players try to toss their ball as close as possible to a small white ball. While bocce at Pinstripes isn’t as popular as bowling, this simple game will bring out some fierce competition.

If you work up an appetite from the intensity of the games, make sure to stop by their bistro. The drink and food menu, which is filled with Italian staples like pizza and pasta, can be ordered in the restaurant or while playing games. Pinstripes also offers a late-night menu with grown-up twists on junk food, like jumbo pretzels with whole grain mustard and tenderloin sliders topped with truffle potato strings, shallot mayonnaise and a French bordelaise sauce.

Prices for the games vary based on time, with Friday night bowling at $15 per hour and Friday night bocce at $10 per hour. Reservations for bowling and bocce are available over the phone and the restaurant is on OpenTable. For a Friday night, you’ll probably want a reservation to ensure you are ready for game time, but on other nights you can just walk in.

Pinstripes has a relaxing atmosphere that is reminiscent of a ski cabin. You will feel right at home and relaxed among the leather couches, deep-hued woods and stone walls.