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I have a column on Tweetdeck that shows me every instance of “The Duckpin” being mentioned on Twitter. So color me surprised when I saw this notification.

Roger Hauglid @senioroger

I just earned the 'Duckpin' badge on @untappd! untp.beer/s/b1068095311 #duckit

untp.beerRoger unlocked a badge!Duckpin: Thanks for visiting us & checking in at Duckpin! Be sure to keep checking in to level up & unlock rewards! Quack quack ;-)

It was at that point that I learned that there was a bar in Oslo, Norway of all places called “Duckpin.”

The idea of a bar name Duckpin 3,800 away from Baltimore was absolutely fascinating to me. Their website even makes mention of Baltimore in their explanation of the sport.

Now, the duckpin bowling at Duckpin is not the type of bowling most duckpin connoisseurs are used to. With the need to fit inside a bar and restaurant space, he lanes are shorter which means no need for bowling shoes. But the ball and the pins appear to be the same size.

And like any good bowling alley, there’s pinball.

“We are part of a group of properties, hotels and restaurants/bars/pubs in Norway,” Duckpin’s CEO Stephan Strøm told me via email. “We had thought about expanding our restaurant/nightlife division for a while, but there was lots of competition in Oslo at the time. But our small portfolio of places were doing better and better and in the end we were doing so good we got the green light to acquire more venues.”

After COVID “the whole country went into lockdown and so did our projects,” Strøm continued. “But instead of sitting still and waiting to get out of the house we were looking around and doing research for new concepts that we could open in Oslo. We also knew after a long time in lockdown, people would want to go out and DO things, not just sit and drink.

The group wanted to incorporate the concept of bowling in one of their new properties, but did not want to go with the “classic” bowling experience.”

“After some research we learned about Duckpin bowling, which does not exist (as far as our research uncovered) anywhere else in Europe at that time,” said Strøm .

The concept includes not just bowling and arcade games, but karaoke, photobooth, and a full restaurant

It’s good to know that there’s a little piece of Baltimore located in the heart of the Nordic Countries. I know that if I’m ever in Oslo, I plan to stop by.

There's a Restaurant and Bar in Oslo Called…