AMF Bowling Centers - CLOSED

3.5 star rating
32 reviews Rating Details

Categories: Nightlife, Bowling  [Edit]

2580 El Camino Real
Redwood City, CA 94061
(650) 369-5584
Price Range:
$$
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Private Lot
Good for Groups:
Yes
Good for Kids:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Music:
Juke Box
Best Nights:
Fri, Sun, Sat
Happy Hour:
Yes
Alcohol:
Full Bar
Smoking:
Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Coat Check:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Review Highlights   

  • user photo
    "It's a country-first, red-state bowling alley." In 14 reviews
  • user photo
    "And the lanes themselves are in great shape." In 12 reviews
  • user photo
    "...as many games you want from 9pm-1am, shoe rental included." In 5 reviews
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32 reviews in English

  • Review from Margaret p.

    San Jose, CA

    5.0 star rating
    4/27/2009

    a classic stand alone bowling alley is hard to come by these days, so I'm glad to find one when I can.

    They have been gracious enough to let kfjc 89.7fm host our listener appreciation party here a few years in a row, and it's the perfect spot for a large get together. (we had live bands, dj booth...it was pretty big) with many lanes and a good sized bar with a pretty decent alcohol selection, redwood lanes may be in a a part of redwood city know notoriously for it's other kinds of *ahem*, entertainment, but I suggest you check it out

  • Review from Dan B.

    Redwood City, CA

    3.0 star rating
    11/24/2009 1 Check-in Here

    According to my neighbors, who grew up in Redwood City, they went bowling here when they were kids. The spacious interior and over-large parking lot (never more than half full) tell of glory days gone by.  The exterior looks very rundown (To my eye, it always looks closed). The interior itself is better, but still somewhat dated.  The electronic scoring system looks to be circa 1990. But Hey!...it's a bowling alley, not the Taj Mahal. And the lanes themselves are in great shape.

    I brought the kids here on a recent rainy Saturday when the wife was out of town, and we had a great time. And like most such places, they have pop-up rails for kid-friendly bowling.

    The only strange part occurred after I began to crave a brewski.  I walked up to the bar and asked, but they said "the bar is closed"  wtf? It's 4 pm on a Saturday, and it's a BOWLING ALLEY!  But then a few minutes later someone came by our seats to take our drink and snacks order (including beer). So apparently you can order drinks, just not at the bar itself (until after 5 pm). Crisis averted...beer enjoyed...star added back in.

  • Review from Brad P.

    • 374 friends
    • 281 reviews

    Redwood City, CA

    3.0 star rating
    1/5/2008

    I've been here a few times in the past year or so, as a place to blow off some steam on a rainy day with the kiddos.

    What you see is what you get.  This place is not unlike just about every other nondescript bowling alley that I've ever been to, with about 40 lanes, a bunch of beat to crap bowling balls of varying weights, colors and finger hole sizes.

    Good clean fun for the whole family.  But when did bowling start to cost such a fortune?  At 5 bucks for shoes and 5 bucks a game, as a family of four you get into the 60 dollar territory in just about no time.

    *Off to eBay to buy myself some bowling shoes*

  • Review from Liza B.

    • 50 friends
    • 495 reviews

    Washington, DC

    1.0 star rating
    1/7/2010

    I'm honestly shocked and surprised by the good reviews this place received.

    7 of us came here on a Monday night, paid for two lanes, and started playing. Several issues with this place - this place isn't a ''classic'' bowling alley - it's just dirty and not kept up well. Second issue is the lack of music - where was the music?? Third issue - the cashier girl. I don't know what her problem was but we got the biggest wave of attitude our way when paying for our shoes. What did we do to you angry woman?

    And the third issue - biggest of all the issues - management. 10:57 rolled around and the manager shot off all the lanes - we each had one turn left!!!!! And the place still had other games going as well. As I approached to ask to just get one last turn in I heard the manager yell at other staff members (and I quote) "I am NOT f****** staying late to let people f****** finish their games!!!!! I don't f****** play like that. Not f****** happening!!!!" Ummm...at this point I didn't know if I should even ask...

    That being said - any establishment who's manager acts like this shouldn't be in business. I hope this place either fires the manager or shuts down (b.c. obviously ownership supports this type of behavior).

  • Review from Diana K.

    • 2111 friends
    • 319 reviews

    Cupertino, CA

    3.0 star rating
    8/13/2010

    I had a pretty good time here because i beat W at bowling and in the end that's all that matters...

    We played one game ($21 for two people with shoes).   but if you want to play longer its $!7 per person for 2 hours with shoes.  It's busy here but you can get a lane.  

    They've got food, drinks, clean bathrooms, and lame arcade games. but hey, whatev.  It's not Lucky Strike but it'll do.  Plus across the street theres an adult store in case you're bored.  i checked it out. in case you're wondering and frankly nothing interesting....

  • Review from Andrew Z.

    • 19 friends
    • 161 reviews

    Redwood City, CA

    5.0 star rating
    6/6/2008 1 photo

    Formerly known as "Mels Bowl" this place is now AMF Redwood Lanes.
    This bowling alley has been in the redwood city community for over 40 years. It is run down on the outside and still has the "wooden lanes" on the inside (newer alleys use polyurethane lanes)

    This place is outfitted with a snack bar with all the typical finger foods, a full bar, a internet jukebox, lockers, pool table room with over 5 tables, a bowling pro-shop and a very helpful staff.

    I have always been intrigued on how many hott women attend this place. I used to like much more when the staff would turn their cheek when I brought food in from outside, but since they have a snack-bar of course they want to make their money.

    During the day and night on M-TH, they typically have bowling leagues.
    The Fri-Sat night is the most expensive and this is when they turn off the lights and start the blacklights and L.E.D. lanes up.

    This place can get crowded on Fri- Sat night.
    As far as the snack bar food the Nachos with only cheese are good and so are the garlic fries.
    The bar is a little pricey but the bartenders never make you wait to get a drink.

  • Review from James L.

    Redwood City, CA

    3.0 star rating
    12/7/2008

    Bowling's not really my thing -- yeah, it's fun, but spending $21 per person for just a little over a couple hours of bowling is pretty pricey.  C'mon, it's just BOWLING.

    Still, $21 at Mel's Bowl is actually WAY cheaper than Bel Mateo Bowl or Palo Alto Bowl or Lucky Strike in Cupertino, so if you're looking for bowling on the Peninsula, come here!  Go where it's still old school, divey-looking, and not updated or "modernized."  I swear, the decor inside and out at Mel's hasn't changed since I was a kid.  Clearly none of their money is going into a fresh makeover (a shame since it would probably boost their business), but at least the place is clean.

    The only thing negative about our experience was the loud, loud Charlie Brown Christmas music that was playing on a loop.  It was cute for the first thirty seconds, but hearing the same three aggressively annoying songs being played over and over gave us all major headaches after half an hour and we were all asking each other to put us out of our misery.  (We finally complained about it, and so they changed over to... country music.  Oh.  Good.)

    Longstoryshort: Bowling is apparently overpriced these days, but if you're gonna bowl, do it here.  Oh, and eat before you show up; maybe it's just the food snob in me, but none of the snacks on offer here smelled appetizing.

    P.S. Dear Sarah C., considering that the reddest parts of San Mateo County are Hillsborough and Atherton, how does being un-fancy and cheap make this a red-state bowling alley?  Just curious.

  • Review from Lani C.

    • 19 friends
    • 51 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    4/4/2009

    I've been a regular here for the past 2 months.  It's this place that restarted my interest (now passion) in bowling because my company bowls here every Thursday during lunch hour.  Since then, I've gotten fanatical about bowling.  And my highest scores (189, 186, 181, and 179) have all taken place here.

    If you're here for a party or a gathering, it lacks the bells and whistles that Sea Bowl in Pacifica or Classic Bowl in Daly City are best known.  If you're here for the bowling, then this is the place.  I can always get a lane and the staff here (Wayne, Mike and Sherri) are very friendly.  I'm always next to others like myself who come to practice and improve their game.  They're all very supportive and recognize right away other serious bowlers.

    I once came here on a Saturday and got an invitation to join a group of  senior men weekly.  One of the guys drives all the way from San Jose.  Last week, I witnessed my first 300 game from the fellow bowling in the lane next to me.

    Best of all, I can get some great email specials because I registered at the AMF website.  Awesome offers like 10 games for $0.99 each and a free game for every game bowled up to 10 people.  Truly, a wonderful place for  bowling fanatics like me.

  • Review from Sara S.

    • 9 friends
    • 116 reviews

    Menlo Park, CA

    2.0 star rating
    11/2/2006

    EDIT, May 07--- I'm so dissapointed!  I went there this evening and the bargain was gone!  I questioned the staff about if they had changed their pricing structure and I was met with a curt "yes".  Boo hiss!  It's like $5 now per game per person no matter when you go.

    -------------------------------
    Went here last night, and had a great time!  The bowling is cheeeap for the peninsula, if you know when to go.. Sun-Thursday after 9pm it's like $1.75 a game... as opposed to something around $5 during busy hours.  Shoes were in good condition, balls were in good condition, everything was clean-- a satisfying experience.

  • Review from Ray W.

    San Carlos, CA

    3.0 star rating
    3/15/2009

    Great staple to redwood city!  I enjoy coming here on the weekend and unwinding.. Friendly bar staff, decent prices on drinks, fun atmosphere!

    We usually come with a large group and they're able to accommodate us at a moment's notice.  

    Stars deducted due to being a little dated, as well as the bathroom could be cleaned up some.

  • Review from Yehoy L.

    • 54 friends
    • 305 reviews

    Menlo Park, CA

    4.0 star rating
    2/18/2008

    Retro exterior, typical modern interior.  Mel's lanes are always fun to go to.  It's your typical bowling alley w/ tons of lanes, a very good assortment of house balls weighted from 6 pounds all the way to 16 pounds.  In addition to that, they're properly organized so they're easy to find (until people just pull them randomly and place them back randomly).  

    For some reason, pizza at bowling alley's have gotten better throughout the years.  Maybe AMF has an agreement w/ "Gio's" or something, or maybe it's just the hunger pangs that come from being at the alley, but damn the pizza is good.  Beer specials are always going as well.  

    The lanes themselves are awesome.  They're well oiled so you get the proper slide and the right break if you hook the ball.  And that's even with a house ball.  I tested the lanes w/ a house ball and my own.  Obviously the break was a lot better w/ the custom ball, however, I was actually able to consistently get a good hook on a house ball (granted it led to a sorer arm) thanks to the lane conditions.

    It's a great place to go on Friday or Saturday nights as the lanes are fairly empty and you can pay $20 to bowl as many games you want from 9pm-1am, shoe rental included.

  • Review from David P.

    San Carlos, CA

    4.0 star rating
    2/19/2008

    Good way to spend a rainy afternoon with kids, or at least an hour or two. Gutters have special railings/bumpers so there are no gutter balls. I shutter every time a kid drops the ball on the hardwood floor. Despite the regular pounding the floors get from all those kids, its seems to hold up rather well. It can get a bit pricey with several players and say, two rounds. And, kids always want to piss away some coin on the video games. At a dollar each, it can add up.

    I brought our own snacks and lunch to make it a bit cheaper.  They have snack bar which isn't especially overpriced though if needed.

    I've also held as well as attended kids' birthday parties there. They do a decent job with parties and assign a helper to coordinate doling out the pizza and juice, help cut the cake, etc.

  • Review from Tom J.

    • 0 friends
    • 13 reviews

    Redwood City, CA

    5.0 star rating
    6/4/2011

    This isn't a review for what it is but rather what it was. Just drove by and my wife informed me that it's closed. I was shocked to see it all boarded up and fenced off. I always dreaded that this day would come and now it has.

    Mel's was a place I grew up in when I was a kid 35 years ago. In fact, my wife and I both bowled in the same league when we were 10 but didn't know each other. It wasn't until years later when I saw her patch for girls high average which was the same one I had for boys average that I remember her as the girl who had a higher average than me.

    Mel's got shoddy over the years and I regret that I didn't get one final bowl in, but I'll always have the memories of Saturday Morning League, early video games, pinball machines, going to birthday parties there, etc.... I still remember the score of my first two games when I turned eight. I bowled 11 and then a 14 before the days of the bumpers.

    RIP in Mel's. In your day you were the house of some great memories.

  • Review from Louis G.

    • 79 friends
    • 332 reviews

    San Carlos, CA

    3.0 star rating
    1/12/2008

    My company rented this place out for a party several years ago.  Despite a Spinal Tap-like foible by the announcer over the PA "...hello Oakland" from what I could remember about the party after my day long hangover it was pretty damn good.

    If you rent out the bar they'll have you buying drinks with tickets.  My first time up I ordered a double Wild Turkey rocks.  The "lady" wanted all of my tickets.  I tried explaining the 1-cup 1-ticket economy to her but she wouldn't budge.  Fortunately, an admin handed me a roll of about 100 tickets so I smiled at her, gave her 2, pounded the Wild Turkey, slammed the plastic cup back on the bar and proudly said DOUBLE WILD TURKEY.  After slamming that drink I ordered a margarita (note, line hasn't moved yet, I'm still standing there).

    Much like a chimp who learns that if they push the red button they get a shock and if they push the green button they get a food pellet; she poured me the most disgusting margarita I have ever had.  It was about 3/4 of a glass of Cuervo with a tiny splash of mix and an old lime wedge with brown on it.  I was satisfied by the amount of liquor so I gave up my place in line.  Food pellet achieved.

    Many similar drinks followed.  I even ended up outside and tried to smoke a cigarette after having quit for 3 years.  I almost hurled.  Remember kids, smoking kills!

    Eventually somehow I got back inside at the bar which was now packed.  I was yelling incoherent babble at new people who would walk in.  This has now become a legendary drunken performance for people who have been at the company long enough to remember this party.  

    At one point people started smoking inside the bar.  There were cigarettes and cigars going and I was smoking something that I can't even remember.  Some people from the bowling center started getting pissed at us and eventually threw us out and kicked everyone out the side door because we were damaging their property and committing misdemeanors or something.

    Oh yeah, I think they might have bowling here.

  • Review from Christine K.

    Menlo Park, CA

    3.0 star rating
    1/23/2008

    *disclaimer-this review is for the pro shop only*
    Santa brought me a fabulous Hello Kitty ball for Christmas, b/c I was such a good girl last year. I called around to see who had a pro shop that could drill some holes in it and Bel Mateo referred me to this place, worked out well since it's real close to my house.

    It was league night (Monday) when I went and the place was packed with hard core rollers. A big guy named Randy was working the pro shop and was real nice and helpful. He was meticulous about measuring my ball, fingers and hand to ensure the right holes and fit.

    When Hubster asked about the awesome Mel's sign out front, Randy was good enough to fill us in on the history of the alley and how the Mel's sign does still work and light up but that AMF doesn't allow them to turn it on. How sad!

    $30 for the drilling (20 minutes) and the shop had a ton of shoes and other supplies for sale, Randy and the other lady working there were clearly knowledgeable about balls and such.

    Will update my review when I've had a chance to roll here.

  • Review from Grace K.

    • 53 friends
    • 147 reviews

    Palo Alto, CA

    4.0 star rating
    3/3/2008

    Ahhh, bowling.  I always forget how fun bowling is until a few trips down the lane into the game.  My competitive side comes back out, my shoes are cute, and I desperate try to break 100 on the score board.  So I suck at bowling... but AMF is pretty darn cool.

    The place is real grimey from the outside.  Hell, it's grimey everywhere.  But for a bowling alley right across the street from a Target and Chuck E. Cheese, it's pretty clean inside, serves up a decent pizza, and the bathrooms are (or at least were when I went) clean clean clean!  There's also Cosmic Bowling at night which is a dream come try for any  adult with lingering signs of ADHD.  It may also be asking for a Japanese-cartoon-induced-like seizure... but that's just a small price to pay for some sweet blacklight action.

    Great for groups.  Service is eehhh... but c'mon.  How would you feel if you had to handle stinky shoes and Tinactin ALL DAY?

  • Review from Sarah C.

    • 5 friends
    • 50 reviews

    Redwood City, CA

    4.0 star rating
    10/29/2008

    It's a freaking bowling alley!

    I'm surprised but all the three star reviews on this place!  Its a bowling alley!  It needs works but its clean and friendly with damn good onion rings and pitchers of beer.  It ain't fancy but it ain't supposed to be.  It's a country-first, red-state bowling alley.  God bless America.

    Yes, the shoes were too expensive.   $5 for a rental - give me a break.  That loses a star.

  • Review from eric k.

    • 30 friends
    • 1108 reviews

    Dublin, CA

    2.0 star rating
    6/25/2007

    Ya  know... I never really liked this place... despite throwing down a 255 at a company "team building event"

    so here's the story...  we had gone here before for a company event....and I had mentioned to a couple people that I bowl.. but I never really wanted to show off so I never brought the bag...

    So I got re-org'd around(who hasn't these days), and I got stuck under, what best I can describe as a dickhead boss.  He was one of those guys who had made it up to some high level at a previous company, got busted out with the bust, and had taken a smaller role at this company... so he had a big head, and thought he was the ish.

    So...  while trying to tolerate him, and be social with my other coworkers(really nice people) I decided to break out "the bag."  Ok... so I usually roll in the 180-190 range, with a 600 series coming with a little effort from time to time....  but I had bowled here once or twice in the past(entertainment book coupon) and had never really rolled well...   maybe in the 130-150 range (boooo).

    So my manager sees me pull out "the bag"(cheap 2 ball roller off ebay) from my trunk and immediately starts talking trash.  Mind you.. I've already seen him bowl.. .and it's not pretty....  not that I'm pretty, but I'm effective.

    so I won't repeat it.. but he starts heckling me, getting jibs and jabs in... all the things you would expect an overconfident-to-hide-his-insecure-side lame manager to do... I shrug them all off with a smile(what am I supposed to do?).  

    So I drag my bag in... break out my shiney shoes that my grandfather gave me... and he starts to give me crap about that!!!  Mind you...  they are a pair of Linds Specials... so he can talk all he wants... I'm know I'm not only stylin... but well outfitted...

    so anyway.. 2 balls onto the rack...  mind you... my 2 balls, along with my shoes, were all donations from my grandfather... what is probably about 10 yr old black Zone ball... and another prolly 15yr old red angle?  don't remember.... and surprisingly.. I bowled really well..... and thank goodness.... got silence from him after that.

    For the most part, in the times that I've gone, I can never figure out the oil... and it has been warm at times in there.

  • Review from James F.

    • 9 friends
    • 126 reviews

    San Mateo, CA

    3.0 star rating
    7/12/2008 2 photos

    Well, I've been coming to "Mel's Bowl" since the 60's and have enjoyed my time there, however, it's 2008, and it seems to be very tired.

    The place needs a major remodel to bring it up to this new century. A new coat of paint simply won't do anymore. Granted, this would mean serious money, but it would be a shot in the arm for the place. The decor, the color selection, the restrooms, etc, etc all need a major facelift. Even the parking lot. Having said that, it's still a fun place, but a facelift would inject life to this old hag.

    What I do love about the place is that it has many lanes and great for corporate parties. The snack foods are pretty good and I do enjoy coming here with my co-workers for corporate parties.

  • Review from El R.

    • 2 friends
    • 21 reviews

    Palo Alto, CA

    4.0 star rating
    12/30/2008

    I read some of the reviews here and elsewhere on the web talking about how rundown and decrepit this place was, and I almost didn't go.  When I stepped in tonight, I was expecting to walk into a total hellhole.  

    Well, it turns out that this is a completely typical bowling alley, pretty much the same as any other I've ever been to in the US.  If anything, the facilities seemed a bit better than I've seen elsewhere, with decent computerized displays, and bowling balls neatly organized by weight and color.  $5.50 per game seemed a bit pricey, but I haven't bowled in years, so maybe that's the going rate these days.  Shoe rental was supposedly $4.50, but they didn't charge us.  

    So I agree with Sarah C. and some of the other more positive reviews here.  This is a completely acceptable, clean, wholesome American bowling alley.   There were plenty of families, small children, couples on dates, people of all races...all coming together at this place to have fun.   I'm not sure what all the negative reviewers expect from a bowling alley.   After all, this is a bowling alley, not the Waterbar.

  • Review from fusita t.

    • 0 friends
    • 21 reviews

    Redwood City, CA

    2.0 star rating
    5/6/2011

    This review is based on a kid's birthday party.

    I recently had my son's 5th birthday party here on a Saturday afternoon.  Reserving was easy and great, they give you party bags and thank you postcards that you can mail out.  We showed up 20 minutes early and everything was set up.

    Everything after that wasn't good at all.  We received our food/drinks more than a half hour AFTER the end time for our party.  I know sometimes people/places have bad days, but I hope they re-read their birthday party flyer and familiarize themselves with the things they advertise.

    One star for the free party bags/bowling pin and one star for our party host (I think Jessica?) who was running around doing a million things for us, for other parties, helping behind the counter, etc.

    Btw...if management is reading this, all I wanted was an apology.  I didn't keep coming back to talk to you because I wanted a discount or free party!  After 5+ conversations with you, we still did not get an apology.

  • Review from Charmaine L.

    Burlingame, CA

    4.0 star rating
    2/11/2008

    what is it about a bowling alley that always reminds us of high school and dating? well i guess it's because it's the only place where we can hang out late and not get into any trouble.

    mel's is pretty retro. the facility itself seems pretty old but everything is kept clean and organized. staff are efficient and helpful. equipped with a full food stand stocked with pizza and alcohol, you can pretty much spend all night here.

    after 9pm, you can play unlimited games for $20 with shoe rental included. they close at 1am, which means you've got 4 hours of free play. they call it EXTREME bowling...and i guess their definition of extreme is turning the lights off, turning the black lights on, glow in the dark bowling balls, lit lanes, and THE BEST MUSIC EVER! i swear they play all the good old school jams, hip hop, r&b...all the stuff that makes you wanna dance. i swear it was better than any music you'd hear clubbing.

    just two warnings: 1. steer clear of the bathrooms if you can. one whif of that toxic dump and you'll get all psychodelic like you're back in the 70s. 2. i broke a nail playing with an 8 pound ball with x-small finger holes...and it hurt like a f**ker. bowl with the right ball! but they do have bandaids at the counter.

    i had so much fun here, i didn't want to leave. now my arm is sore and my left butt cheek extra tight.

  • Review from Larry L.

    • 26 friends
    • 97 reviews

    Union City, CA

    4.0 star rating
    10/31/2010 1 Check-in Here

    Pretty sweet deal here.  Not too crowded.  Full bar with snacks.  All that adds up to a night of fun.  Yah, if you're serious about bowling, you would probably be disappointed at the condition of the lanes here.  But if you're not like I'm not, it's all good in the neighborhood.

  • Review from Ashley C.

    Redwood City, CA

    4.0 star rating
    Updated - 1/29/2010

    OMG came here last night and it's was HELLA cheap!  $5 cover charge $1 per a game, $1 for shoe rental and if you're a thinker like me it's $1 a little cup of draft beer or $7 per a pitcher.

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    • 4.0 star rating
      1/27/2010

      Who thought 15 years later I would love to bowl again? My friends and I have been bowling a ton… Read more »

  • Review from kim n.

    Mountain View, CA

    3.0 star rating
    11/9/2007

    Bowling places are such their own little worlds. It's funny that a nice family fun center is situated across from an adult video store and what might be a strip club (and maybe then some). The marquee and the space have seen better days and there's a little diner area that has been totally shuttered. We ate nearby at the pizza joint in the same parking lot and had to peek in. Full on lanes with old style score tracking screens, a bowling shop and yep a full snack bar and lounge. Where else can you get a Scorpion Bowl, Aztec Taco Sticks (WTF?) and huck heavy objects at things while hangin' with little kids and senior citizens simultaneously at lunch?

  • Review from Chris C.

    • 149 friends
    • 299 reviews

    Daly City, CA

    3.0 star rating
    1/17/2008

    Old school, well-kept and not exactly too shabby. The exterior definitely needs a makeover, though. The bowler's seating area is spacious and the balls are neatly organised by weight & color. Downsides include a lengthy wait for ball retrieval and this douche of a bag serving food at the stand. We ordered food from him and although there weren't too many people there and what we ordered seemed simple enough to prepare, our 1st of two games was nearly done before it arrived. To top it off, said douche bag throws in attitude even AFTER i tipped his sorry ass.

  • Review from Jen W.

    • 20 friends
    • 144 reviews

    Redwood City, CA

    5.0 star rating
    7/3/2007

    We have been to this bowling alley several times with a large group of couples.  Getting pitchers at the bar can take a while on a Saturday night, but getting an alley was not that difficult.  We had a great time bowling and eating junk food.  I would highly recommend for a fun Saturday night.

  • Review from Devon B.

    • 31 friends
    • 84 reviews

    San Mateo, CA

    3.0 star rating
    9/29/2006

    Ahhh, the old Mel's Bowl... AMF or no it will always be Mel's to me.  Sadly, these days Palo Alto Bowl has more going on in the way of "good times" with their themed bowling nights (namely their karaoke planet bowling), etc, but I still like visting Mel's every now and again to enjoy the nostalgia of memories past and a cheap bowl (as PA Bowl is definitely more expensive).  I'd really love to see this place retored with the old 50's style diner back in business.  The old sign needs to be fixed and the place seems to have fallen into general dinginess and disrepair.  Redwood needs the old Mel's back in all it's teeny bopper glory!

  • Review from sprout s.

    • 13 friends
    • 148 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    3.0 star rating
    Updated - 7/29/2008

    update: i actually played cosmic bowling. turns out i'm better at drinking. and it also turns out that i'm better at wii bowling than real bowling.
    cosmic bowling is still fun and i'll gladly return ;)

    Listed in: The Places I Go Out

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    • 3.0 star rating
      5/28/2007

      We never made it from the bar to the lanes. i'll have to make sure we actually bowl the next time we… Read more »

  • Review from Michael G.

    • 1 friend
    • 19 reviews

    San Carlos, CA

    1.0 star rating
    5/29/2009

    This place is great if you don't like your equiptment!!  For the second time in 3 weeks, I had a ball damaged by the house equiptment!  The lanes are falling apart, the foul lines are coming up and the ball returns chew up your ball.  I give this place one star only because zero is not an option!!

  • Review from Mark M.

    • 1 friend
    • 110 reviews

    Palo Alto, CA

    3.0 star rating
    2/12/2008

    First, the industry hates the term "alley" but I don't. These places will always be bowling alleys to me, not "family recreation centers". I have been a Mels customer since I was a kid growing up in RC in the 1960s. They used to let kids bowl during off hours for a quarter a game if you bought a punch ticket of 20 games. I bowled a lot when I was 12, hoping to break 200, but never did (186 was my best game). Back then bowling was "in" and a lot of  high school kids from Sequoia brought dates there.  The guys hung out, doing their best to look tough, cool and detached from it all, sort of a James Dean thing. The girls had big hair, red lipstick and tight sweaters. It was heady stuff for an impressionable 12 year old.  Mels somehow has remained in business even as the popularity of bowling declined year after year. Mels has become increasingly seedy looking on the outside. Many people think it is shut down and abandoned, but it is fine inside. It used to be a Brunswick alley, now AMF gear is installed. The house balls are pretty messed up (dings, scratches, etc.). They should get some better ones. Bowling has become very expensive with ridiculously high shoe rental fees, but Mels runs specials and it is still possible to bowl realtively cheap if you find the right deal. Mels occupys a huge piece of real estate and it is just a matter of time before it gets developed into something more lucrative than an old bowling alley. Go there while you still can. Bowling is the poor man's golf. No stuck up country club attitudes though, just beer, pizza and bowling. It is an addictive game and takes considerable skill to break  the 200 barrier. There will never be a Tiger Woods in bowling, it just doesnt draw the money like golf does. When I was a kid Don Carter was the King and championship bowling was on TV every week with a very large audience. Those days are long gone, but the fun of rolling a ball down the alley towards those ten wooden pins is still there. Go experience it at Mels! It is the last of the old school bowling alleys and it won't last forever.

  • Review from MiKA D.

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    3/30/2007

    went here on a rainy saturday night and it was fun. sure, the place looked desserted but inside, it was hustlin' and bustlin' with players and snackers. played two games and called it a night. it was rock'n' bowl night and they played top 40 music to some rock. ordered two beers, nachos and garlic fries. brings me back to my old high school days. i'd go back here again.

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