The best places to go bowling in NYC

Bowlmor’s newer Midtown West location boasts 50 lanes divided among seven NYC-themed rooms: enter the Times Square of the 1960s through a naughty storefront, or warm yourself by the cozy fireplaces in the Bethesda Fountain–inspired bowling suite. There’s also a great location at Chelsea Piers.

The performance venue-slash-16-lane alley is set in the abyss of a renovated warehouse, which leaves more than enough space for an on-site Blue Ribbon. Gorge on comfort food favorites (like a sloppy joe or fried chicken platter) among fellow mid-20s brethren—the scene is decidedly a postgrad favorite.

The alley formerly known as Leisure Time Bowl offers 26 lanes (plus two more in the VIP room), two full-service bars, a steakhouse and a dance lounge; it’s one of the few clubs in the city where you’ll see bowling shoes doubling as dancing shoes.

The Hell’s Kitchen outpost of this national chain boasts 26 state-of-the-art lanes and 11 billiard tables ($15 to $20 per hour). Have a drink in the lounge or a meal in the restaurant while you wait for a personal buzzer to announce that your lane is ready. We recommend booking ahead for weekends; lane reservations can be made up to three weeks in advance.

The addition to the Williamsburg bar scene adds a unique twist—eight bowling lanes. Special events like Monday night trivia at 7pm help draw in crowds not enticed enough by the combination of alcohol and hurling bulky objects.

A bumper system allows adults, kids and double-digit bowlers to all play on the same lane. We like the in-house pizzeria (owned by Gennaro’s), the on-site pro shop, the High Roller Lounge’s pool tables and darts, and the 100-ounce beer tub for $22.