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It was a sad day when Highland Park's DIY music venue, Mr. T's Bowl & Nightclub, closed its doors in January. However, not all is lost for music fans as the 1933 Group (the folks behind Thirsty Crow, Bigfoot Lodge and La Cuevita) bought the venue and have plans to give it a huge makeover—as a chic music venue and a bowling alley.
LA Weekly reported that Mr. T's Bowl, located at 5621 1/2 N. Figueroa St., will become Highland Park Bowl, scheduled to open next summer. The 1933 Group will be redesigning the space, giving it their signature touch—a vintage and Americana look. They'll be restoring the original eight bowling lanes that Mr. T's Bowl had stopped using in the 1980s.
The historic property was first built in 1929 and served as a garage before it was made into a bowling alley in the 1940s, according to the L.A. Times. Joseph "Mr. T" Teresa had bought the space in 1966 and made it into a spot for live music. He eventually closed down the bowling lanes, and it later became a thriving scene for underground artists, even bringing in acts like The Breeders and Beck to the stage.
Since Mr. T's closed, the space has still been booked for events and concerts, but it's not clear if the shows will continue before 1933 Group starts renovating it.
However, knowing 1933 Group, this most likely won't have the type of divey, punk scene you might have found at Mr. T's, but it's good timing that they've bought the spot and are keeping a music venue in the area, as Highland Park also recently lost another beloved venue, The Church On York, in May.
