Folino family brings The Bocce House to O'Hara

The location has changed for a group of avid bocce players, but the love of the game hasn’t.

Creating a sporting atmosphere is what Fox Chapel resident Tony Folino and his sons Frank and Dino Folino envisioned for The Bocce House of Pittsburgh. The unique complex in RIDC Park in O’Hara has six brand new regulation-size bocce courts, custom-made bocce balls, a posh cigar lounge and a spacious bar and cafe.

“We wanted to bring the camaraderie of the past 10 years from my back yard to our new ‘house,’ ” Tony Folino said of the weekly Tuesday night bocce league. “Bocce brings together people of all ages … from laborers to judges. It’s about camaraderie. The players have always respected each other and respected being at my house. They’ve had a really good time. It is kind of bittersweet to leave my home but this is a beautiful space.”

The 12,000-square-foot athletic facility had a soft opening on Oct. 14. The grand opening is Nov. 4.

It was filled on a recent Tuesday with the players from Tony Folini’s house — the Orchard Park League. People come from all over Western Pennsylvania, all ages and all walks of life came, not only to play, but to socialize and catch up.

Bocce is the plural of the word boccia, which means “bowl.” In bocce, it begins with the throwing of the pallino, the target ball that players try to get close to. They use eight larger colored balls. The closest to the target scores a point. A team can score multiple points for every ball that they have closer to the target than the opposing team.

Volunteer judges from all the teams help determine which teams gets the points. They talk, often in Italian, and sometimes loudly to make sure they are getting their point across, but always with respect for the game and each other.

Players range all ages 7 up to someone in their 90s. It feels like being on a playground, only with adults.

“They share stories and a love of bocce,” Frank Folino said.

Giovanni Mineo Jr. of Shadyside has been part of the league for several years.

“There are a lot of great guys here,” Mineo said. “It’s always a fun evening. It’s a great way to spend a Tuesday night.”

Frank Folino’s wife Lauren brought their three sons — Franco, Lorenzo and Santino — to watch. She and the youngsters also love playing bocce, she said.

“I was emotional when I saw the space finished,” Lauren Folino said. “There were definitely tears of joy. It is bigger a better than we ever could have imagined.”

Tony Folino is the center of all of this, said Jason Grant of Blawnox, founder of Medici Importers Global, a luxury boutique wine and food import company with specialty Italian products that curated the wine offerings available in the self-pour tap wall. It also features craft beer and ciders.

“It is a beautiful space and it’s modern and welcoming,” Grant said. “I can see this being used for team building and community events and for people who just want to learn to play bocce.”

Bocce originaged in ancient Egypt and was perfected by the Romans, according to The Bocce House of Pittsburgh’s website. Italian immigrants brought it to America, where it flourished in parks and backyards, becoming a beloved pastime across generations.

Today, bocce is played in more than 50 countries and is one of the fastest-growing social sports in America, according to The Bocce House of Pittsburgh.

The Italian heritage of the game definitely comes through, said general manager Michelle D’Augostine.

“I love the environment,” D’Augostine said. “It’s like a big family. It’s also a place to get away from everything else that is going on in your life. I love the idea of having this for the community.”

In addition to the self-serve beverages, there is a full bar and lunch and dinner options.

Menu items include bocce fried meatballs — crispy bite-sized meatballs dusted with Romano cheese, served alongside house-made marinara — chicken wings, shrimp, french fries and Italian sausage bites. Several hand-tossed pizzas, including the Pallina, a white pizza topped mozzarella and ricotta, garlic and olive oil, are on the menu as are hoagies, a fried bologna sandwich and salads.

The court fee is $19.95 per player for 90 minutes. Non-members can reserve courts up to three days in advance. Memberships are available starting at $28.95 per month.

A cigar lounge has self-serve liquor of premium whiskey, bourbon, scotch and tequila. Cigars are for sale or you can bring your own.

Pouring an ounce of Johnny Walker Blue in the cigar lounge was Jeff Mountain from Indiana Township.

“This is a great place to hang out and meet new people and you can play bocce year-round,” Mountain said. “It’s a great place to network.”

The plan is to teach the game and partner with local sports teams, school groups and whoever is interested in having an event in the space. They plan to host a Special Olympics competition.

”It is important to give back,” Frank Folino said. “This is perfect for the Pittsburgh climate. There is nothing like this in the area. We can accommodate all ages and skill levels. Some people think bocce is an old man’s game but it’s for everyone. We love it because bocce is a big part of our family.”