Latitude 40 Sports and Entertainment Complex Readies for Opening Tuesday

As it readied for its public opening Tuesday night, Latitude 40 threw a preview party Friday night, drawing guests from the Tri-State region and debuting its strobe-lit bowling alleys, open-concept restaurants, sports bars, arcade and live-performance space.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, former Steelers running back and television analyst Jerome Bettis, gaming and business executive Ted Arneault and about 500 others jammed the 65,000-square-foot entertainment venue in Robinson Pointe.

Once inside the neon-bathed entrance of the three-story complex, guests danced to '70s and '80s covers by Totally 80s, sampled signature cocktails and noshed on rare filet and spicy shrimp, grilled vegetables, pastas and oven-fired pizzas, and cupcakes and bite-size pastries.

Between courses and live sets by the band, guests toured Latitude 40's three floors of restaurants and sports bars, peered into its gleaming open kitchen and pizza station and mingled in front of glassed-in waterfalls intended to enhance accoustics through the sprawling all-ages venue.

Some tried their luck in the arcade packed with video games, air hockey, skee ball and other attractions, while others donned surprisingly snazzy taupe bowling shoes and staked out a bowling lane. Others were happy to chat and sip while hanging out in the Axis bar or perching on white leather banquettes in lounges adjacent to bowling alleys.

Latitude 40 is owned by Brent Brown, a Robinson native and 1987 Montour High School grad. It is scheduled to open to the public Tuesday, with live events planned for Tuesday night.

Located in the former Roomful Express store off Summit Park Drive, the venue plans to employ 190 people and offer space for private meetings, parties and gatherings. A movie theater also is in the works.