Nothing cuts through a hot July night like an ice-cold drink in hand, especially with a few frames in front of you. National Refreshment Day, held on the fourth Thursday in July and landing this year on July 23, is basically made for the way a night at Bowlero already runs. Cold drink, loud lanes, good company: this is a holiday we were built to celebrate.
Since drink menus shift a little from one center to the next, take a quick look at what your local Bowlero is serving through the Location Finder before you come in. Then it is just a matter of picking your pour.
Start with a Dirty Soda
The star of the summer menu is the Dirty Soda, and ours are loaded. Choose from options like Cherry Lime, Vanilla Dr Pepper, and Sour Apple, each a familiar fizz cranked up with bold flavor and topped to finish. They are alcohol-free, endlessly sippable, and exactly the kind of over-the-top treat that fits a night under the neon.
From there, the craft lemonades keep things cool and fruity, in flavors like Passion Fruit, Dragon Fruit, and Cotton Candy. And when the night calls for something stronger, our signature Dunk Tank cocktails bring the volume, big, bold, and made for a good time. Whatever your speed, there is a cold one here with your name on it. Check out the full Bowlero food and drink list.
Why everyone is drinking Dirty Sodas
If the Dirty Soda feels like it is suddenly everywhere, that is because it is. The drink got its start in Utah soda shops in the early 2010s, where flavored syrups and a splash of cream turned an ordinary soda into something worth posting about. It stayed a regional favorite until the internet caught on around 2021, and from there it grew into a full-blown national craze that has since landed on menus all over the country.
National Refreshment Day, by comparison, is a quieter affair. A Vermont brewery launched it in 2015 to spotlight the refreshing flavors of summer, setting it on the fourth Thursday in July so it always hits during the hottest stretch of the year. Put the two together, and July 23 is the perfect excuse to find out what the Dirty Soda hype is about.
Make it a night out
At Bowlero, a drink is just the opening move. Grab a lane, catch whatever is on at the bar, and let a quick round turn into a full night with the crew. When you know everyone is heading over, grab your lanes in advance so nobody is stuck waiting on a busy summer night.
It is an easy plan to scale up, too. A social event hands your group its own space to celebrate, and if there is a game on, Gameday at Bowlero pairs the big screens with a cold drink in hand. Come thirsty on July 23 and we will take care of the rest.