First Look: Brunswick’s Tavern ’45, Marietta

2749 Delk Rd., Marietta, 770-988-8813, www.brunswicks.com/marietta.html.

Brunswick’s, a new upscale bowling and entertainment center in Marietta, features Tavern ’45, a sports bar-style restaurant concept with small plates, burgers, cocktails and local craft beers.

The look: Tavern '45 has its own front entrance in the freestanding Brunswick's space on Delk Road. But bowlers will find another entrance located near a service bar behind the lanes. Inside, the sleek design recalls vintage bowling alley style, with wood floors and paneling, pressed tin ceiling tiles, and brass fixtures at the bar.

The scene: Late one recent Saturday afternoon, the center was buzzing with families and children, the staccato sound of balls hitting pins and the steady beat of rap and rock music. At several lanes, servers delivered pitchers of beer and snacks to groups of bowlers perched at benches.

The menu: Small plate offerings include a trio of Vietnamese-style glazed pork belly tacos on corn tortillas with pickled bánh mi vegetables ($8), beer-battered shrimp with Sriracha mayo ($8.50), and an arugula salad with goat cheese, Granny Smith apples, dried cranberries and candied pecans ($7.50). Wings ($9.50) include Jamaican Jerk, Korean BBQ and classic Buffalo-style hot. The Tavern '45 Burger ($11) is topped with Swiss cheese, applewood-smoked pastrami, and a sunny side up egg. Among the big plates, find grilled wild salmon ($15) with herb butter, mango salsa and seasonal veggies.

The drinks: At the bar, there are signature cocktails, such as the Bootlegger's Choice ($7.50) with Crown Royal, Cointreau, fresh squeezed lemon juice, and Fee Brothers cherry bitters, and classic cocktails, such as the Maker's Mark Manhattan, with Carpano Antica sweet vermouth and Fee Brothers orange bitters. A recent craft beer list included Sweetwater IPA ($4.75) Terrapin Hopsecutioner ($5.50) and Wild Heaven Ode to Mercy ($5.50) on draft.

The extras: Look for a second, bigger Brunswick's and Tavern '45 to open in Norcross in late July, with a unique loft bar area situated in the middle of the lanes, and an outdoor patio beer garden.