A new kind of family activity arrived in the Upper Keys several months ago at Tavernier Towne Center. With duckpin bowling, ax throwing and arcade games, Pinfish Entertainment brought a new indoor entertainment venue long sought by families and children.
Owner Matt Struhs quietly opened the new business Aug. 27. He’s lived in the Keys with his family since 2018. Having spent a career in the military, Struhs said he wanted to find a way to not leave the area and pursue a new endeavor. Struhs teamed up with his dad, Mark, who has a background in arcades, to bring the new activities center to life.
“It’s been amazing to see the amount of interest from the community,” Struhs said. “It has been nothing but positive vibes, smiles and laughter.”
Bringing something for everybody ages 8 to 80 was the intent behind Pinfish Entertainment, Struhs said. A variety of arcade games await challengers, everything from skeeball and air hockey to virtual reality King Kong and car racing. Patrons receive a game card to accrue points for all sorts of goodies and items at the prize counter.
With the game of bowling a tried and true attraction, Struhs decided to install a series of smaller duckpin lanes to the back of the facility. With smaller lanes, balls and pins, duckpin bowling has been a big attraction for families and adults. Duckpin bowling has gained so much interest that more than 40 bowlers participated in fall leagues.
Struhs also wanted to bring a trendy and edgy game, so he decided to put in three lanes of ax-throwing. Struhs said ax throwing has that wow factor that’s intrigued patrons. The game is for those ages 13 and up.
“With 6,000 square feet of space, we wanted to fit as much as we possibly could,” Struhs said. “We really thought of every bit of space and maximized it for the fun and enjoyment of everyone.”
Mark Mancini and Doli Biondillo, with The Oasis property in Islamorada, play a video game together during the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce event at Pinfish Entertainment Center, a new duckpin bowling, axe throwing and arcade located in Tavernier Towne, Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
The Islamorada Chamber of Commerce hosts an event for members at Pinfish Entertainment Center, a new duckpin bowling, axe throwing and arcade located in Tavernier Towne, Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
The Islamorada Chamber of Commerce hosts an event for members at Pinfish Entertainment Center, a new duckpin bowling, axe throwing and arcade located in Tavernier Towne, Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
The Islamorada Chamber of Commerce hosts an event for members at Pinfish Entertainment Center, a new duckpin bowling, axe throwing and arcade located in Tavernier Towne, Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
The Islamorada Chamber of Commerce hosts an event for members at Pinfish Entertainment Center, a new duckpin bowling, axe throwing and arcade located in Tavernier Towne, Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
The Islamorada Chamber of Commerce hosts an event for members at Pinfish Entertainment Center, a new duckpin bowling, axe throwing and arcade located in Tavernier Towne, Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
The Islamorada Chamber of Commerce hosts an event for members at Pinfish Entertainment Center, a new duckpin bowling, axe throwing and arcade located in Tavernier Towne, Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Lola Stober, left, and Marley Arce, both 12, play a game of air hockey during the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce event at Pinfish Entertainment Center, a new duckpin bowling, axe throwing and arcade located in Tavernier Towne, Tuesday, October 17, 2023. At back is Bella Bastron, 3. Photo by Doug Finger 
Nicole Jenkins, a commercial and residential assistant with First State Bank participates in some axe throwing during the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce event at Pinfish Entertainment Center, a new duckpin bowling, axe throwing and arcade located in Tavernier Towne, Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
The Islamorada Chamber of Commerce hosts an event for members at Pinfish Entertainment Center, a new duckpin bowling, axe throwing and arcade located in Tavernier Towne, Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Jaclyn Kelley, broker with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Destinations, plays a video game with her daughter Bella Bastron, 3, during the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce event at Pinfish Entertainment Center, a new duckpin bowling, axe throwing and arcade located in Tavernier Towne, Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
A variety of arcade games awaits patrons. 
Amanda Benitez and Hector Castillo play the virtual-reality arcade game ‘King Kong.’
In addition to the games, adults can try one of 16 craft beers and four wines on tap. Pinfish Entertainment also serves pretzels, flatbread pizza, chips and salsa and hot dogs.
Pinfish Entertainment has received rave reviews from area families who long awaited some fun away from the sun. Pinfish was also a big winner at this year’s Best of Upper Keys, having won Best New Business and Best Place to Take the Kids.
With leagues for adults and games and prizes for the kids, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Pinfish Entertainment is open Monday and Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m., Friday from 3 to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.
Visit pinfishentertainment.com to book an event and learn more.
Photos by DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly
