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300 Shady Grove
Categories: Active Life Bowling Nightlife Arts & Entertainment Bowling, Nightlife, Arts & Entertainment [Edit]
15720 Shady Grove RdGaithersburg, MD 20877
(301) 948-1390
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 12 am
Fri-Sat 11 am - 2 am
Sun 11 am - 10 pm
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
30 reviews for 300 Shady Grove
Review Highlights
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"It's definitely the nicest bowling alley i've ever bowled..." In 13 reviews -
"...7pm-closing (unlimited bowling for $10 and $5 shoe rentals." In 3 reviews -
"The music is hip and not too loud." In 4 reviews
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30 reviews in English
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Review from Roy S.
2/29/2012
This is a really nice bowling alley. on college nights (normally Thursday) they have an all you can bowl for a flat rate deal. Friendly staff and bartenders. They also serve Boston Lager in the official glasses which I love!!!
I just wish they were open a little later on Thursday (till 1am) but that is more of a summer thing I think. -
Review from April S.
3/16/2012
I went here last month for an event I was having. It turned out great. The staff were super duper nice and we had a lot of fun. I also got the event catered and they had a great selection to choose from. I would say the cost was a little high but for the quality of the food and service, as well as the vibe of the place...well worth it. I will definitely be bowling here again!
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Review from Muge A.
Gaithersburg, MD
3/21/2012
Such a nice bowling alley! I'm glad they changed it from how it use to be. On the weekends they have cosmic bowling....good times!
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Review from Lucy B.
Rockville, MD
4/27/2012
So fun! We got the groupon and had SUCH a blast! I remember this place from when I was in highschool and my how it has changed! We literally had the best time ever and.. the guy at the front told us that on Sunday's apparently for $15 you can do unlimited bowling. Pretty cool!
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Review from Lilian Y.
Clarksville, MD
12/16/2011 2 Check-ins Here
We had our company holiday party last night. Loved the drinks! Margarita's were huge! Nice atmosphere!
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Review from Katelyn K.
Silver Spring, MD
10/27/2010 1 Check-in Here
We went this past Saturday morning and had a blast. The lanes are well kept, the customer service was top notch and even with 6 kids parties going on the staff made sure that we were happy and as far from any of the party lanes as possible.
Others said the price is a little high ($6.25 a game, per person and $5.00 per pair of shoes), however, we recently went on a Sunday morning to another bowling alley that looked stuck in the 70s in Fairfax and were charged roughly the same thing.
They also have a college student night - bring your student id on Thursdays from 9pm to midnight pay one price bowl as many games as you can.
I am looking forward to going back. -
Review from stacy W.
10/25/2010 1 Check-in Here
Meh - I don't care how much renovating you've done - the price is a little ridiculous even WITH the coupons. It's also a bit much calling this place "super hip" - if you're playing Justin Bieber every fourth song, you need to be punched in the face. AND - if you think the Wedding Singer is more interesting TV than a close game between two top 10 college football teams - you should be punched in the liver. That's enough said about the ambiance. Luckily, I had some fun people to hang out with and I could tune that out easily.
I'm a social bowler, so I could care less how the lanes feel. I care about how well the waiter maintains the drinking space - which was also lacking. He also started talking crap about football, which, I was not a fan of either team playing, but I don't respect your uneducated football opinions when they're just for the sake of starting an argument.
With all things considered, I'd rather bowl here than a dumpy alley I suppose. But I also doubt we'll be returning anytime soon unless they stop playing crap music and make their prices more reasonable. Not worth it really. Save your money for a concert or a real sporting event. -
Review from Jason C.
8/9/2010
Everyone is b*tching about the price of this place so let me tell u some alternatives and specials that you can exploit that are not listed on their website.
Take part in these specials and you are really getting a good deal as this place is super hip & is the MOST well maintained bowling alley that I have ever seen in my life.
For those who say this place is all about looks and the ambience, try putting a spin on your bowling ball and tell me how well the lanes are maintained. If you bowl here you'll REALLY know what a spin should be like.
Here are the specials:
Mondays: 7pm-closing (unlimited bowling for $10 and $5 shoe rentals).
Tuesdays: 9pm-closing (unlimited bowling for $10 and $5 shoe rentals).
Wed: 9PM-closing (Ladies Nite: $1/game + $1 per shoe rental). Only a group of ladies can go and it's ok (no guy requirement to get the special).
Thurs: 9PM-closing (College nite: unlimited $10 + $5 shoe rental).
Enjoy! -
Review from Emily N.
Rockville, MD
1/12/2011 2 photos
My friends and i go here once a year, every year. We like to call it our Traditional Holiday Party. When arriving, you enter through the electric doors to a dark bowling alley with accented neon lights. It's definitely the nicest bowling alley i've ever bowled at. But it also comes with a hefty price. Essentially bowling should never be THAT expensive but somehow a group of 6 can rack up a $150 bill for only one round and a couple of plates of food.
The food was literally alright. Nothing delicious or spectacular but just alright. We were just really hungry because we weren't allowed to bring in our own food. Because why? There's a $10 - $15 charge for that. Not only that but service is usually terrible. We're usually stuck chasing down the waitress for the check.
In the end, i find this place over priced and sometimes just over hyped. Your essentially paying for the atmosphere rather then the service, food and of course the bowling itself. Yeah it has a club feel to things but after bowling and what not you really do work up an appetite. In which you want something that will fill you up, especially for the price your about to pay there for. -
Review from Mike M.
Sterling, VA
2/25/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Go here with your wallet full. Very fun and entertaining time with my family - however Bowling should not be so expensive. Their food is decent and the place was packed when we went. We waited about an hour for the lane to open up due to a ton of party's taking up most of the lanes. The wait staff was a bit slow to ask us if we wanted anything...but not so much of a biggie.
Overall - its a good place. -
Review from Marie Z.
Rockville, MD
12/1/2010
We went up here this afternoon. 4 games of bowling, 2 stinky shoe rentals, and 2 soft drinks $38.00. Then on top of it I kept on straining my knees when I threw the ball because of the stinky rental shoes. I asked the manager, "Aren't you suppose to slide on the lanes when you throw?" He told me that was because the patrons wear the shoes out side.
My husband (in his late 50's) had to get out of there because of the music. If you are 18 the music is fine, but if you have listened to rock for the last 35 years I can see where it is like finger nails on a chalk board.
If you are 21, want to get drunk and start wearing out your knees with stinky bowling shoes, this place is for you!! -
Review from Seven Y.
Bethesda, MD
1/2/2009
300 Shady Grove is the new upscale, renovated version of the previous AMF Shady Grove. This past week, after Christmas, with a bunch of family and friends in town, we were deciding on something to do that everyone would enjoy. When a cousin decided bowling my initial though was "ehhh." Granted, I was never much of a bowler, but considering how I've gone to the old AMF, I was not excited. He then said that AMF was bought out and it's nice now! Sure, sure, I guess it didn't matter seeing how I was overruled.
No surprise, I was the last to arrive at bowling that night. I think we had about 15 people. Soon as I walk in to 300 I was pleasantly surprised. It was just before 9pm and the place was packed. On a Sunday night? I'm impressed. The place is clean, modern, and much more appealing. Flatscreen tvs everywhere and decent music. I would have bowled if I weren't hung over from spending the previous night at Lima... but that's a different story. I had to get some food in me, and luckily our lanes were right in front of the "restaurant/bar."
The servers promptly came back and forth with all of our food and drink orders. I tasted some of everyones food and it all was pretty damn good. I know, I know, pizza, wings, burgers, and fries all taste pretty much the same, but this place offered some unique twists on these classics... such as Thai Chili Wings and Sloppy Joe sliders. Mmm...
I had to leave early for a previous engagement, but the whole 45 minutes I spent there watching everyone bowl and eating everyones food was quite fun. I definitely plan on coming back if I ever get an urge to bowl. Or even just to get some wings. -
Review from Joan K.
Rockville, MD
2/27/2009
I don't like this "lane captain" business here. Every lane basically has their own server to take care of food/drink needs. Your experience really depends on the quality of your "lane captain." Service is consistently slow here. It gets pretty slammed on the wknds. We've waited 2 hours for a lane before (our fault for having a huge party, though). I think the people are friendly enough, everything just takes quite a while (especially settling your bill). Also, the bill for bowling is included on your bil for f/b.
The facilities are very nice and new (we'll see how long that lasts!). They have a small bar as well as an area with tables so you don't even have to go bowling when there. Not bad for hanging out if you don't mind admitting that you spent your wknd hanging out in a bowling alley without bowling. I really like the system they have setup for picking up balls/shoes. Your "shoe order" is taken when you check in with reception once your lane is ready. You go to the ball/shoe area to pick them up. They have a couple sample balls setup at the station that explains finger sizes and ball weights. After referencing them, you order your ball, then receive both your shoes and ball. To return them, they have this handy-dady conveyer belt. No need to deal with any lines or people on your way out!
Don't expect too much in the way of food. It's still a bowling lane. I thought I should also mention how SUPER helpful and gracious the manager was one time when I asked him about hosting private parties. -
Review from Judith L.
Richmond, VA
10/8/2010
Can't decide between 3 and 4 stars. Let's say **3.5**
Once you find this place, it's nice. Not being from the area, I had some trouble finding it. It's right behind Red Lobster and there is a tiny unlit sign that says "300" (once you pass Home Depot and Best Buy, you've gone too far). This place looks chic: not uncomfortable plastic or hard benches to sit on while you wait your turn, but a nice sofa-like waiting area. Colored lighted lanes, tons of TV screens with music, a full bar and a kitchen... I felt like I was under-dressed in this bowling lounge.
Bowling here is a bit pricey, but when you see how they upkeep this place, you can understand why. Check their website for prices and deals, because they have one going on during late hours every night.
Group consensus was that the food was good for bowling alley food, but in reality needed a little bit of work. Bar service was a tiny bit slow, but there was only one guy working behind the bar when we were there, so that was understandable.
If you're tired of run down, old, smelly bowling lanes and are looking to have a good time in a nice atmosphere (as well as hurl balls down lanes), this is a good option. -
Review from Andrea D.
Gaithersburg, MD
2/7/2012
Very pricy but a very nice place to hang n play with friends!:)
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Review from donna s.
Columbia, MD
2/23/2009
This place is as swank as you can get for bowling. It is a definite step up from what it used to be.
So I went there on a Friday afternoon over a 3 day weekend recently. Forgot what holiday, but bowling before 5 on the weekends or over holidays is $6/person. Seems as if we got there just before a mad bowling rush bc we got the last available lane before having to wait.
When I walked in I was immediately struck by how nice it is! They have huge screens at the ends of each lane, like Strike, the carpet is new and the tables and chairs are a light wood finish that looks pretty modern.
You walk straight to the 'hostess' and reserve your lane. Then you walk over to get your ball and shoes at a separate counter. They have a sample ball and they ask you to grip it and put your fingers in the holes to determine your ball size (tsk tsk). They hand you your shoes and then - best part ever - the girl took our balls to our lane and put them on the little ball return thing for us and punched in our names. Fancy!
The bowling part is the bowling part and is obviously a fabulous time! They played pretty good music and were showing a mix of music videos and sporting events on the screens.
Each lane also gets a 'lane captain' who is like a waitress. You talk to them about food (the sliders are great! they also have a pretty extensive menu with cocktails available) changes to players, if you want to add another game etc. There's also private lanes available in a separate room for private functions.
Overall, this place rocks! I have a new found fondness for bowling and definitely would go back here. I'm not sure if you'd get the same royal treatment that I got though. My bf went back with a friend and no one carried their balls for them :-)
It's an awesome place though! -
Review from Trevor M.
8/31/2010 1 Check-in Here
Can Bowling be elevated? Why not?
Ok, I have not reviewed non food businesses. There's a reason...i'm a foodie...but, i'm also a closet bowler. Here's the weird thing...I like drinking, i like food...and, yes, I like bowling.
Let me be very clear about this...DO NOT...Do not bring your kids here. (I'm sure there's a mommy/kids day of bowling)...but, this is for adults.
Atmosphere: Modern, hip...Damn, I like this place just because of the atmosphere.
Food: Ok, the Vietnamese Summer Rolls still needs some work, the chicken tenders needed some work, and the grilled skewers seemed like that they came out of a bad 70's recipe book. The coney island dogs were kind of insulting...wait...I see a trend here...the food is meh.
Then, why would I come here?
It's for adults, (or at least it should be.) It's actually a very cool hangout spot for adults in Rockville. Get your game on...get some "meh" food, but get some incredible drinks...and even better service...yeah...this is what i'm talking about.
Service/bar: This is what they should concentrate on...have the food to help deal with the alcohol...but this is a foremost a great bar that happens to allow you to hurl life threatening balls that can weigh anywhere between 9 to 17 pounds. Don't tell me that that won't hurt when hurled at your head. (Disclaimer: Do not hurl bowling bowls at your friends or enemies at 300 bowling lanes)
Service: There are restaurants that can learn a lot about the level of service and attentiveness at this place. If you come here without shoes and a ball. You go to the front desk. You get nice shoes, but they also make sure that you get the right ball. You don't have to go hunting for a ball...that alone makes it stellar service. Well done.
Price: Bowling: Lane, Shoes, (Weird pants: optional), drinks, and food. Bowling and food is never cheap (Hence, the three stars)...but, here, it's fun and the service rocks.
Return rate: I've ordered my eyeball bowling ball...just to be fun.
Bottom line: It can get expensive...with the drinks, with the food...but, hey, we're here to have fun...and it's bowling and drinks in Rockville. Suit up kids. Let's have some fun. -
Review from Christie W.
Silver Spring, MD
10/26/2009
300 EEK! Me thinks NOT!! WTF!?!? I spent more than $100 at a bowling alley! Are you serious! PSSSSSSSH! $13 to bowl a single game, then $8 for each additional game.
Ok - So I went with a group of friends this past Sat night for some good old fashioned clean fun, aka bowling, and ended up drunk and broke!
I've been to this bowling alley before they attempted to make it all fancy, and it was way cooler before! It was a lot more normal. We got there and were told it was going to be a two hour wait for a lane. TWO hours! UGH! After driving 45 minutes to get here, we were not about to turn around, so we put our names on the wait list and decided to pass the time at the bar......
Two hours later and it was finally our groups turn to bowl. We had a total of eight people in our group, but they wouldn't allow us to reserve two lanes. So you can imagine how that worked so well with a group of eight people suffering from ADD. Also the waitress who was assigned to our lane, was AWFUL!! Many times we had to walk back over to the bar and get another drink ourselves!
Not to mention they had bowling shoe police working the door. LOL. I am a fan of cosmic bowling, but 300 is just an old bowling alley with a make over, that doesn't deliver.
I wont be going back, EVER. -
Review from Kevin S.
Washington, DC
6/22/2009
A fun spot. Attractive decor. Some of the mood of a nightclub. But you're bowling. Yep, bowling! A sorta weird combo, eh?
Although I never thought that bowling could cost this much, we did have a great time on Saturday night. The place was crowded and lively. Everybody seemed to be having a nice time. We certainly were!
The place is definitely worth a try. You will enjoy yourself! -
Review from david y.
Potomac, MD
3/22/2010
Update: go on monday for $10 all you can bowl. watch monday night football. exploit the $5 food deals. i would say 4 star on weekdays, 2 stars on weekends.
Why is bowling so expensive?
I mean, it's pretty cool for the most part. The place is relatively new so it's trendy and clean. There is a line of screens above the lanes that showed tv and the music video of whatever's playing. As for a bowling alley, the lanes are surprisingly well maintained. Then the bill comes out and you wonder what the hell just happened? The first word that popped into my head was "hustled."
If you really have to go here, bring a flask. My drinks were really watered down and service wasn't that great either. -
Review from Vee N.
Silver Spring, MD
1/3/2012
Went a few months ago. Nice upscale bowling alley! Good food and drinks; beautiful place! Definitely expensive; I will check out the specials though!
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Review from Terinee B.
Washington, DC
5/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had a phenomenal time here at this Gaithersburg, upscale bowling alley. (Now, I can't speak to the price of this bowling alley because I went with a group and we only paid a discounted group rate). Otherwise, the facility was nice w/contemporary decor, the ladies' room was nice & tidy, and the food was pretty good. We actually ordered some kinda non-alcoholic frozen drink that was REALLY tasty. All of the staff were friendly and accommodating. I'd definitely come back again!
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Review from KanKan Y.
Rockville, MD
4/5/2010
I was really excited when I first saw this bowling establishment. I've been here a handful of times (birthdays, hangouts, etc) with hopes that the lanes will be better next time, or the drinks will be better next time...but alas, I have to write my review. It saddens me to give it two stars today.
Price: Shoe rentals are $5 and games range from $5 - $8 (peak) per game depending on what times you go. Racking up the bill is extremely easy here.
Atmosphere: Social Venue. Loud Top 40s Hit Music with Music Videos on large projectors on peak nights. Projectors may also have the game on as well.
Service: The wait is horrible on a busy night (Fridays and Saturdays) so expect 30 wait at the minimum. If you are at the lane, sometimes the servers will forget about you because they are running all over the place. Make sure you get your orders down in 1-2 rounds so you don't find yourself spending more money on games because you are waiting for your food.
Rental Gear: They have a ball counter where you can pick the weight and the finger size of your ball. It's a great idea because I've had friends who use rental balls but their fingers are too small and the balls just slide right out. Some of their balls have a ton of dents in them, so just bring it back if you don't like it and see if you get a better ball next time.
Lanes: Let me just start off saying that this is a socal alley. The lanes aren't always maintained because people come here to socialize and bowling is almost a second priority. The times I've been here, the lanes have mostly been unoiled. If you are picky about your lanes, you may want to try a place that consistently maintains their lanes.
Food/Drinks: The food is ok and the drinks are hit and miss depending on the bartender working. A few times I've gotten great bartenders, and a few times they've just been misses. I had one bartender that messed up a Bailey's on ice.
Overall: I generally don't come here unless someone really wants to have a get-together here. Even though it is pricey and the not well mainted all the time, It's a great place to lounge with your friends, chat and catch up. If you and your friends are serious about bowling (league, practice, etc) then I'd suggest looking elsewhere that has nicer lanes and cheaper rates. -
Review from Karen C.
Silver Spring, MD
6/2/2010
Atmosphere - high end, classy feel. the alley has leather sofa like seats & what feels like personalized service, atypical for a bowling alley. Need a bowling ball? Go to a counter & they'll find one for you. Want a drink? Ask the waiter who comes by to take your order. The food is nicer than they typical nachos & other greasy food you get at a bowling alley. they have more bar-like fare such as mozzerella sticks (a whopping $7 for 8), smoothies, etc. The alley itself has big screen TVs that alternate between playing whatever is on TV with the top 40 music video of the tune that's playing.
PRICE - OMG!!!! $8/game?!?! seriously? when our group got the bill, i think we were all a little shocked. i've never spent more than $20 at bowling, so when i walked out of there down $60, I was in disbelief. i bowled 5 games (8*$5), got cheese sticks and a drink ($10), rented shoes ($5) and left tip. YIKES.
i would have bowled only 2-3 games if i had realized how expensive it was... i like the atmosphere but not the price!!
Additionally one of our friends didn't have an ID, so the bouncer gave him a hard time. after about 1/2 hr of pleading & the moment it looked like we were all about to leave, he finally let our friend in. sheesh... probably so they could earn another $100 off us... -
Review from Angie M.
3/20/2011
Wow, I don't understand why this place got such a low rating? I loved it! When I think of bowling alleys, I think of disgusting drug addicts that linger outside of dim lit shit hole. This place was no where near that! The place is incredibly well kept and looks brand spanking new. They place also seems very organized, the shoes are standard but they are still no where near the nasty fungus filled ones I've seen at any other bowling alley. It was crowded enough for a Sunday afternoon but the staff was really accommodating at trying to make everyone feel comfortable. Though prices are a little pricey but nothing too far from what I would expect to pay. Though it's a hike from where we live, I do plan on using the bowling alley more! I had a blast and if you with good company, I feel you will as well.
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Review from A G.
Frederick, MD
5/11/2011
This is not your average, shady, dingy, smoked out bowling alley. First off, the place is gorgeous. My boyfriend and I went with a group of friends and everyone had a great time and said it was the nicest bowling alley they'd ever been to. The music is hip and not too loud. The place is clean and modern. The wait staff is friendly. The food is a little above average and the drinks are great! My boyfriend and I spent about $65 (combined) on food (I had the nachos, he had the appetizer sampler), 2 drinks a piece, 1 game of bowling and the shoe rental. Would love to see them offer weekend specials, because it is a little pricey. Overall, I LOVE this place and will be back!
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Review from Krystal W.
Germantown, MD
3/25/2011
I go all the time, as it is really close to my job. Good food, Great drinks.....BUT it'll cost ya. Bring your wallet, and maybe even someone elses. lol
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Review from Charles B.
Frederick, MD
10/30/2011
If you're a decent bowler and are hoping to shoot a score comparable to what you may be used to in a good league night, forget it. This place is all about atmosphere and upscale entertainment...the bowling is secondary and the late night/weekend lane conditions reflect that. In fact, I threw my first ball off the second arrow and it promptly hooked into the left channel, due to the bone dry conditions and tacky approaches. Good bowlers, stay away unless you're prepared to take a blow to your ego..., it's not real bowling.
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Review from Amir K.
Montgomery Village, MD
8/25/2010
This place is awesome, it's a very chill atmosphere yet classy, if you go mid-week after 9pm, it's unlimited bowling for $15 including shoes, and they have a $5 menu that has some good food on it. the lanes have huge TV screens on top of them playing music videos while you bowl. If bowling isn't your style, they have some pool tables in the back. The bar service needs improvement though, whether you order from the lane, or you go to the bar somehow it takes them 5-10 min to pour a beer (even if they're not busy) other than that it's pretty cool.
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Review from Nuoc M.
Gaithersburg, MD
4/27/2010
I'm not a hard core bowler, mainly because I stink, but for bowling 300 is the top choice in the area. I think its comparable to Strikes Bethesda, but closer for the people that live in the area.
Been here for a party. Valerie, the event planner, is a great person to work with. The price of the packages are comparable to similar packages at other bowling alleys with the added convenience of being close for the people that live in the same area. The staff, bartender, lane captain, manager, etc, were extremely nice. They put our party in the private lanes, which was great and unexpected, and everyone had a blast.
For regular bowling, we were left alone by the lane captains, which is kind of nice because when we go, we just want to bowl and don't want to order any drinks or food. However whenever there are any issues, the staff is always really quick to help. I'm not sure how the customer service is for people who actually want to order something.
Again, this place isn't for the hard core bowlers, where there were multiple times where the lane wouldn't score properly. For example when someone scored a strike, it didn't record it or vice versa. This could be good or bad, depending if it works in your favor.
I guess its good that they hand out one bowling ball per person, but since I'm not a regular bowler I'd like to try out a couple of bowling balls to find one that I like without having to keep going to the counter for another one.
The prices are a little bit higher then other bowling alleys, but they have deals that are comparable to the old AMF and other bowling alleys. Such as lunch happy hours and all you can bowl nights.
It can get crowded with a long wait depending on when you go, but that's also something that I think is the norm for most of the bowling alleys in the area.
Cool place to hang out with friends, but not necessarily a place to do some serious bowling.
