Primrose Lanes wanted to be up everyone’s alley back in 2023, when Team Market Group was amid transitioning this venerable Milk District bowling alley into something they hoped would work as an alley, cafe, restaurant and bar with an elevated menu and cocktail program.
But though it raged out the kitchen door with a killer menu by executive chef Jason Campbell, and the internet raged about its pricey housemade hot dog, it struggled to find its footing for a spell.
As the coffee shop morphed into a successful sports book lounge with big screens and cushy seats, critically acclaimed eats like smoked prime rib sandwich and short rib pastrami gave way to simpler hits like an award-winning smashburger, the space — with a gorgeous bar, live DJs two nights a week and a pro-shop that’s since morphed into a regularly booked private karaoke lounge — its team has come to recognize what its customers want.
And they’re betting that a brand-new roller skating rink is one of those things.
“When D1 training left the space next door, which is a TMG-owned space, we had a few ideas,” general manager Danny Somaru told the Orlando Sentinel. TMG partner Daniel Mawardi theorized that a rink might be the answer.
“We went around to all the other roller skating rinks in the area, and they had an amazing thing going on,” he explains. “They were busy on Wednesday nights … they were busy on Friday mornings.” Repeat visits confirmed that it wasn’t just a fluke.
The entrance to the new roller skating rink at Primrose Lanes in Orlando. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Astro Skating Center on Goldenrod Road had a great nighttime game with adults, he says, while Semoran Skateway was locked hard into families.
Primrose Lanes’ rink, less than half the size of either, but fun, funky and bright with a vibe that brings the same repurposed vintage bowling decor for nice continuity, would operate a little differently, they decided.
Where traditional rinks charge a cover, Primrose only charges guests (all ages, all the time) to skate.
Keizah Aponte rolls around the new roller skating rink at Primrose Lanes in Orlando. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
“If you want to go in the karaoke room or hang out at the bar, or if only a couple of people in your group want to skate but you want to hang out and watch them, there’s no extra charge.”
What’s more, where “blocked time” is the norm for most skating centers and rental fees come over and above the cover, at Primrose, the prices ($15, Sunday-Thursday; $20, Friday-Saturday) are good all day long.
“As long as you leave on your wristband, you can skate in the morning and then come back and skate again at night.”
A Buffalo Chicken Wrap — “crispy or grilled chicken, jack cheese, romaine, tomatoes, and blue cheese ranch” — is among the food offerings at Primrose Lanes. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
The full Primrose Lanes menu is available, kitchen and bar, along with four new dishes to commemorate the new space from culinary ops magician Nick Grecco: a Brussels sprouts appetizer, crispy onion side, Buffalo chicken wrap and ribeye steak sandwich.
Catering packages for both children’s and adult parties, popular on the lanes, are expected to be a hit here, as well. It’s an all-ages space, says Somaru.
Rental skates are lined up at the new roller skating rink at Primrose Lanes in Orlando. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
“On weekends, early kids’ parties are big and into the night we become this amazing destination, as the CFLA lot across the street is open to our customers after 5 p.m.,” he explains. “We’ve been a great stop for people who come in for a drink before going elsewhere, but with the sports book, arcade, bowling, bar, restaurant, and now skating rink, we really want to be a one-stop shop.”
The full Primrose Lanes menu is available, kitchen and bar, along with four new dishes to commemorate the new space. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Groups, like the Rollin’ Queens of Orlando and a dancing skaters’ group from Daytona Beach, have already stopped in for rolling recon, says Somaru.
“We just had a young lady who is part of the U.S. National Skating Team skate her practice here on a Saturday morning. “It’s so fun to watch them all.”
And welcome them all.
“It’s been some time figuring out what Primrose is,” he admits, “but I talk to every guest and always ask what can make this better. We have a menu that makes sense. We know what our identity is: we’re an elevated bowling and bar.”
And now, skating.
Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com, For more foodie fun, join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
If you go
Primrose Lanes: 400 N. Primrose Drive in Orlando, primroselanes.com