Date Night: Bowling the Night A-Wii at Gala

By Melanie Rancourt
Special to iBerkshires
09:35PM / Wednesday, February 03, 2010

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"Date Night" is an occasional series on fun and games being hosted by local establishments during the long Berkshire winter — but you don't need a date to participate. Know of a local pub or restaurant hosting fun or unusual events? Let us know at info@iberkshires.com.

Photos by Melanie Rancourt Best friends Krystal Frieri and Megan Gessing teamed up for Wii bowling at Gala.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Looking for a relaxing, comfortable atmosphere where you can enjoy some healthy and fun competition? Then the Gala Restaurant and Bar, located at the Orchards Hotel, may be right up your alley. 

On the last Tuesday of each month this year, the Gala holds a Wii Bowling Tournament in the lounge area, adjacent to a roaring fireplace and comfortable sectional couches.

Brian Flagg, manager of the restaurant and bar, hosts the event and thinks so far it has been a success.

"We have been looking for a way to bring local people into the restaurant and we thought that holding a monthly Wii bowling tournament would be a great way to do that," said Flagg. "This is only our second month and we know it will take time, but through word of mouth, we hope that the event will grow."

Six players completed in January's tournament, up from four the first month. A bracket was made and each participant played single elimination rounds until two remained. The tournament winner receives a $25 gift certificate to Gala.  

January's champion was David Rancourt of Clarksburg (who also happens to this writer's husband; it wouldn't be "date night" without him, after all).

"My wife heard about the tournament from a friend," said Rancourt. "We decided to take our son to watch his parents compete. We had a fun family night and plan to become regulars to the monthly event."

Megan Gessing, morning captain of the restaurant, and her best friend of 16 years Krystal Frieri also came out to check out the fun.

"Megan asked me to participate and I am so glad I did," Frieri said. "We had a great time and we will definitely do this again next month."

The Wii game console is a permanent addition to the lounge area. People are encouraged to play after dinner or while enjoying cocktails by the fire. Other games that are available on the disk are Wii boxing, tennis, golf and baseball.  

Flagg encourages people who come to Gala to join the free Mug Club. Mugs are hung around the bar area with their "owners" names on them and each time an owner uses one, he or she gets 20 percent off anything on the bar menu. So far, 70 mugs have been claimed and Flagg hopes that this will become as popular at the Gala as it has become in other locations.

You don't need special shoes for virtual bowling.

"I got this idea from one of our other properties, the Wolfeboro Inn, which is located on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire," said Flagg. "There are 17,000 mugs hanging at the inn. With our club only being a few months old, I would love to see our club get as popular as theirs in years to come."

In addition to bowling, Gala offers a monthly calendar of events and posts activities on its Facebook page.

On the second Thursday of each month, there's a karaoke night that's become popular. Participants of both karaoke and the Wii tournament are encouraged to take pictures of their night out and post them on the Gala's Facebook page for a chance on March 16 to win an overnight stay and dinner for two.

For further event information or to be added to the Gala's e-mail list, contact Flagg at brian@galarestaurant.com; to make dinner reservations, call 413-458-9611, Ext 531.  

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