Question 1

How can I find a bowling center near me?

Accepted Answer

With over 350 centers across North America, it’s very likely that there is a Bowlero, AMF or Lucky Strike nearby. Click here to find a center near you.

Question 2

How do I know if my center is open?

Accepted Answer

You can find the most up to date information about your center’s hours of operation on the center home page. Click here to find your center.

Question 3

Can people of all ages go bowling?

Accepted Answer

Bowling is the perfect activity for people of all ages! For our younger bowlers, our centers offer bumpers and ball ramps at no extra charge. Please note that some of our centers have age restrictions on late nights and weekends. Click here to find your local center to see any associated restrictions.

Question 4

Can I bring my own shoes and ball to bowl?

Accepted Answer

We welcome bowling enthusiasts! Feel free to bring your own ball and shoes on your next visit with us, just remember to bring them home with you at the end of the game!

Question 5

Are there special deals available at my center?

Accepted Answer

All of our centers offer weekly promotions so you can score great fun at a great price. Click here to choose your center and view current specials!

Question 6

What if I want glow-in-the-dark bowling (aka cosmic bowling)?

Accepted Answer

We love cosmic bowling, too — especially for parties! The availability of cosmic bowling varies by center, so contact us at guestservice@bowlerocorp.com and we'll follow up with the staff at your preferred center to see if it's possible to make your cosmic bowling dream come true.

Question 7

How many people fit on each lane?

Accepted Answer

The maximum number of guests per lane varies by location.

Question 8

What if I want bumpers during my next visit?

Accepted Answer

Then bumpers you shall have! Bumpers are available and can be requested at any time during your visit or while you’re making your reservation. If you are booking online and want bumpers available upon your arrival, simply indicate your request for bumpers in the special requests box on the “Food” page in the checkout process.

Question 9

Can I reserve a lane ahead of time online?

Accepted Answer

You can guarantee your lanes and streamline check in by pre-paying online for a reservation. Click here to reserve your lane today!

Question 10

What is a bowling league?

Accepted Answer

A bowling league is a group activity where bowlers are in a designated team and teams bowl against each other for prizes, skill-building, or just plain old fun. Most bowling leagues meet up once per week or once every other week, usually at the same day and time, over the course of a season. Interested in learning more about leagues offered at your local center? Click here to view upcoming leagues at your preferred center.

Question 11

Are there bowling leagues at my center?

Accepted Answer

Most of our centers offer competitive and social leagues, which means you can play for prizes or just for fun! Don’t see a league at your local center? It’s easy to start one! Click here to view leagues at your center and learn more about starting your own league.

Question 12

How is a bowling score calculated?

Accepted Answer

Each game of bowling is made up of ten frames or turns. When it’s your turn, you will have two chances per frame to roll the ball down the lane and knock down as many pins as you can. In traditional tenpin bowling, one point is awarded for each pin that is knocked down; however, there are ways to earn additional points:

When you knock down all ten pins on your first roll, that’s called a “Strike” and you will be awarded ten points, plus a bonus of whatever is scored with your next two balls.

If you knock down all ten pins with your two rolls on the same turn, it’s called a “Spare.” A spare will count for ten points, plus it will also add bonus points for whatever you score on the first roll of your next turn.

If you knock down all 10 pins at any point in your last frame, you will be allowed to throw a 3rd ball! This allows for up 12 strikes in one game, and a perfect score of 300 points!

Question 13

I’ve heard some funny words on the lanes, what do they mean?

Accepted Answer

Brush up on your bowling lingo below:

Candlepin Bowling: A variation of bowling that’s played with tall, candle-stick looking pins and a handheld-sized ball.
Duckpin Bowling: Another variation of bowling played with short, wide pins and a handheld-sized ball that does not have holes.
Foul Line: The line that separates the approach from the beginning of the lane.
Frame: A game of bowling is divided into 10 frames. In each frame, there are two chances to knock down all 10 pins. The only exception is the 10th frame, where a bowler gets an additional (third) chance if they bowled a strike or spare on their first two chances.
Open Frame: A frame without a strike or spare. All 10 pins were not knocked down, but your turn is over.
Spare: To knock down the remaining pins left after the first ball with your second ball in the same frame
Strike Dance: The celebratory dance seen when a bowler bowls a strike
No-Tap: A type of bowling game where knocking down 9 pins, instead of 10, counts as a strike.
Deuce: A type of game where the bowler scores 200 points or more.
Turkey: Three consecutive strikes in a row.
300 Game: Occurs when a bowler bowls a strike on every possible frame, otherwise known as a “perfect game.

Question 14

What is the highest score I can receive?

Accepted Answer

The highest score you can achieve in bowling is 300, but we think any amount of points you score is perfect!

Question 15

What size bowling ball should I select?

Accepted Answer

The heavier the bowling ball, the greater the impact will be on the pins. That said, we encourage you to select the ball that feels right for you. All of our centers are stocked with balls of all weights and sizes, so you’ll be able to try out a few to find the one that’s most comfortable for you.

Question 16

Is there a right way to throw a bowling ball?

Accepted Answer

We’re always strong advocates for personal style, but to learn the basics, follow these easy steps:

Hold the bowling ball with your hand directly underneath the ball and your wrist straight. Your middle and ring fingers should be in the top two holes with your thumb in the bottom hole.
Swing your bowling arm out and back behind your body.
As your arm swings forward towards the lane, release the ball when it reaches your ankle. Remember to keep your hand straight and palm facing up throughout the throw.
Practice, practice, practice!

Question 17

Is there basic bowling etiquette I should be aware of when bowling?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that both your team and your neighboring bowlers have fun, follow these simple rules:

For your safety, please wear bowling shoes. Your street shoes can damage the lanes or cause slips and falls.
If you’re bowling next to other teams, bowl before or after your neighbor, not at the same time. This helps everyone avoid distractions and get their best shot at scoring a strike!
Keep food and drinks away from the lanes to avoid spills and messes.
Stay behind the foul line! Crossing the foul line can affect your score negatively and can ruin the game for your team.
Enjoy your bowling games at the lane assigned to your team. Only throw balls or stand on your own lane.

Question 18

What if my question wasn’t answered here?

Accepted Answer

Simply send us an email at guestservice@bowlerocorp.com and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. You can also call us at 866-211-3369, Monday through Friday from 9:30am-8pm EST.

Question 19

Can I call my center directly to get more information?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Your local center’s direct phone number is listed on its home page. Click here to find your local center.

Question 20

What is a bowling league?

Accepted Answer

Leagues are simply a group of individuals who get together to bowl socially and/or competitively. They return on the same day and time for a set number of weeks either on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis.

Question 21

How can I join a league?

Accepted Answer

You can join a league by signing up at any of our centers with an associate or directly on the centers website.

Question 22

What rewards do league bowlers get?

Accepted Answer

League Bowlers receive exclusive perks. Including a 20% discount on Food & Beverage purchases (excludes alcohol), 2 Free Practice games each week, discounted practice game rate, and 10% discount on booked events through our Group Sales Department.

Question 23

How long does a league last?

Accepted Answer

Depends on the league! We have many different options from our short season leagues range from 5 weeks to 16 weeks to our full season sanctioned leagues, which typically last about 30 weeks.

Question 24

What if I have to miss a week?

Accepted Answer

In most leagues, you are able to pre-bowl if you know you will not be here on any given week.

Question 25

How much does it cost to join a league?

Accepted Answer

League costs vary depending on the league you join. Prices can range from $10/week up to more than $24/ week. These weekly fees tend to rise if merchandise (like high performance bowling equipment) or prize money is offered in the league.

Question 26

What is the difference between a social club and a competitive league?

Accepted Answer

Social Leagues are generally shorter seasons and more casual, usually focusing more on having fun and getting out of the house. Competitive leagues are made up of bowlers who take the game more seriously, usually bowl a longer season, and often include prize funds at the end of the season.

Question 27

Do I have to be good at bowling to join a league?

Accepted Answer

We offer many leagues for all different skill levels. Even if you are just a beginner, we have a league that is a perfect fit for you!

Question 28

How does scoring work?

Accepted Answer

We have Automatic Scoring Systems that compute your scores for you automatically. Each league awards teams or individuals points for winning each game and series against your opponents. You establish your average and handicap after the first week of league.

Handicap is a number added to the bowler’s average to level out the playing field and make competition fairer in leagues with bowlers of varying abilities. Handicap is then added to individual scores for each games. In Team play, all scores and handicaps are added together for each team to determine the winners of each game.

Question 29

What is a prize fund?

Accepted Answer

A prize fund is money that bowlers contribute to each week with their weekly league fees. This prize fund will be distributed back to the bowlers in the league based on pre-determined factors. Some examples are, Team Standings, High Average, High Series, Most Improved Average

Question 30

Can I start my own league?

Accepted Answer

Yes! If you have an idea, you can fill out this contact form and we'll be in touch to help you with next steps. Leagues are also very popular for team-building and as a social get-together in the workplace, so your company might be interested in starting a league. We are always here to help!

Question 31

What if my question wasn’t answered here?

Accepted Answer

Simply fill out this contact form and a member of our League team will be happy to assist!

Question 32

What kind of parties can be booked online?

Accepted Answer

Kids, Teens, Social and Corporate Events (select times & dates only) with 1-25 guests can be booked using our convenient online interface. If you want to build an event with 25+ guests or want to learn more about our custom options, simply select your location and fill out the form so we can provide you with a little extra TLC. Your request will be sent directly to our rock-star team of party planners who will contact you as soon as possible to help you plan and book your event.

Question 33

What if I'm not sure about my party's final headcount?

Accepted Answer

We get it: sometimes plans change. If you need to reduce your headcount, you may then use the remaining balance as a credit towards the purchase of other items for your event (such as additional games or food & beverage.) Learn more about our Terms & Conditions here.

Question 34

Can I add more people to my party’s headcount after I book?

Accepted Answer

While we do allow you to add guests to your headcount until the day of your party, we cannot always guarantee accommodations to group size. It’s important to provide an accurate headcount at the time of booking so we can ensure we are holding enough space for your group.

Question 35

What if I need to change/edit my reservation after I've already checked out?

Accepted Answer

If you need to modify your reservation after booking, please send us an email at booking@bowlero.com and we'll do our best to accommodate your request. You can also call us at 866-211-3369, Monday through Friday from 9:30am-8pm EST. Learn more about our Terms & Conditions here.

Question 36

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

If you need to cancel your event for any reason, please reach out to our team at booking@bowlero.com or by phone at 866-211-3369, Monday through Saturday from 9:30am-8pm EST. To view our full terms and conditions, please visit bowlero.com/parties-events-terms.

Question 37

If I’m planning a kids birthday party, does the birthday child bowl for free?

Accepted Answer

The birthday child counts towards the total headcount of your party.

Question 38

What is an "event fee"?

Accepted Answer

The event fee covers administrative costs for your event and takes care of overhead associated with producing your (*amazing*) party. The event fee is not gratuity and will not be distributed to personnel that provide service at the event. No gratuity to personnel is required or expected.

Question 39

Are bar packages unlimited?

Accepted Answer

Bar packages are not unlimited, but are instead continuous services. And to keep everyone safe, we reserve the right to limit or “cut off” any guest who is over-indulging.

Question 40

What if I still can't find what I'm looking for?

Accepted Answer

Simply send us an email at booking@bowlero.com and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. You can also call us at 866-211-3369, Monday through Friday from 9:30am-8pm EST.

Question 41

How many people are assigned to each lane?

Accepted Answer

The maximum number of guests per lane varies by location. For more information, simply send us an email at booking@bowlero.com. You can also call us at 866-211-3369, Monday through Friday from 9:30am-8pm EST.

Question 42

What if I want bumpers during the event? (We expect a lot of gutterballs.)

Accepted Answer

Then bumpers you shall have! Bumpers are available and can be requested at any time—even when you show up on the day of your event. If you haven't completed your reservation already, just indicate your request for bumpers in the "additional information" box of the Guest Info section.

Question 43

What if I want glow-in-the-dark bowling? (aka cosmic bowling)

Accepted Answer

We love cosmic bowling, too—it's lots of fun (especially for parties). The availability of cosmic bowling varies by center, so contact us at booking@bowlero.com and we'll follow up with the staff at your preferred center to see if it's possible to make your cosmic bowling dream come true.

Question 44

What does the set-up/arrangement of the party area look like? Where will my guests be eating? Will they be on the lanes or in the snack-bar area?

Accepted Answer

Bowling lanes are private for your group. Party space and laser tag sessions will be hosted in a shared space with other guests unless these venue features are booked privately. Our food is served laneside during your party so you can maximize your bowling time! Though it varies by center, food for your party will either be served plated or served buffet-style set up behind the lanes.

Question 45

Who will be serving us and attending to our requests/needs during the party?

Accepted Answer

That would be a lane server—one of our skilled staff members who attends to our guests and is available to all parties. If you'd like extra attention, you can also purchase your very own dedicated/private event host and/or lane server to cater exclusively to your needs. Interested in a dedicated event host and/or lane server? Contact us at booking@bowlero.com for pricing and availability.

Question 46

How many staff members will be waiting on us during the party?

Accepted Answer

Our lane servers are shared resources, so it usually depends on the center's staff availability at the time. If you'd like the extra attention though, you can always purchase your very own dedicated/private event host and/or lane server to cater exclusively to your needs. (It gives your party that extra something special.) Just contact us at booking@bowlero.com for pricing and availability.

Question 47

Who is my main point of contact? Who should I ask for when I arrive?

Accepted Answer

When you arrive for your event, please check in at the front desk and provide us with your party name. We'll then connect you to the appropriate point-person who will help get the ball rolling and set up your party with the utmost care and precision.

Question 48

What if my party ends but we'd like to stay longer?

Accepted Answer

As long as availability permits, you can always buy additional lane time the day of your event. Just ask your lane server and he or she will connect you with our on-site sales staff—they'll be more than happy to assist you!

Question 49

Should I arrive early for my party?

Accepted Answer

Due to the high volume of guests in our centers, especially on the weekends, we cannot guarantee any space will be available prior to the contracted time.

Question 50

What if we’re late for the party?

Accepted Answer

While we’d love to be flexible, we are unable to extend the duration of your party if you or your guests arrive late.

Question 51

Your food is too delicious—and we'd like to add more during our party. Can we do that?

Accepted Answer

Of course! If you'd like to have additional food items served during your party, simply ask your lane server and he or she will be happy to tell you about all the additional menu options available for purchase during your event.

Question 52

Can I bring my own food/drinks? How about my own birthday cake?

Accepted Answer

We'd love to accommodate, but, unfortunately, no outside food or beverage is allowed into the center except for birthday cakes. Your safety is our number one priority, and in order to ensure a safe environment for all of our guests—especially as it pertains to the preparation, service, and delivery of food and beverage items—we assume the liability as the sole provider of all food and beverage within our centers. With so many of our guests experiencing food allergies, this policy has become a necessity, and we hope you understand.

Question 53

I really (really) don't like to pay for parking...Is there free parking at the center?

Accepted Answer

Almost all of our centers have free parking, but, to be sure, you may want to send us an email or give us a call prior to your arrival—just to confirm.

Question 54

What is a lane reservation?

Accepted Answer

A lane reservation is pre-paid lane agreement set for a specific date/time at a designated center for a pre-selected number of people. Lane reservations allow us to guarantee lane availability for your group when you arrive - which means no long waits for you and your guests. Online lane reservations are available for groups with 12 guests or less looking for lanes over the next 14 days.

Question 55

How do I reserve a lane?

Accepted Answer

Start by finding your center and selecting what type of reservation you want to make here. Choose your desired date, time, amount of guests, how long you want to bowl and lock in your reservation with payment. You’ll receive an email confirmation with receipt and you’ll be ready to roll! Please note that online lane reservations are for groups with 12 guests or less looking to reserve time over the next 14 days. If you would like to increase your group size or pick a date outside of the 14-day window, you can click here or call 866-211-3369, Mon-Fri from 9:30am-10pm EST and Sat from 10am-9pm EST.

Question 56

Is making a lane reservation required?

Accepted Answer

Reservations are not required, but always recommended to guarantee your space and take advantage of contactless payment.

Question 57

Are shoe rentals required?

Accepted Answer

For your safety and the protection of our lanes, wearing bowling shoes during your reservation is required. We’ll automatically add one pair per person to your order when you reserve a lane. If you are bringing your own shoes, please contact a representative by calling 866-211-3369, Mon-Fri from 9:30am-10pm EST and Sat from 10am-9pm EST.

Question 58

How many guests can be in my reservation?

Accepted Answer

You can reserve a lane for groups of up to 12 people.

Question 59

When can I reserve a lane online?

Accepted Answer

You can make lane reservations up to 14 days in advance online. Same-day reservations may be made up to 3 hours in advance Monday-Saturday until 7pm and up to 12pm on Sundays. If you would like to reserve lanes for a future date beyond the 15-day window, you can click here or call 866-211-3369, Mon-Fri from 9:30am-10pm EST and Sat from 10am-9pm EST.

Question 60

What if I don’t see my desired date or time available online?

Accepted Answer

If your date or time is not available, we are here to help! If you are looking to reserve a lane more than 14 days in advance, consider booking an event online or call our team of experts where someone will assist you in reserving your lane at 866-211-3369, Mon-Fri from 9:30am-10pm EST and Sat from 10am-9pm EST.

Question 61

What does the 21+ time slot mean?

Accepted Answer

All guests must be 21 or over if any part of your reservation is held during a 21+ time slot.

Question 62

Do I have to pay in full for my lane reservation?

Accepted Answer

Reservations are paid in full when reserving online to guarantee the lanes are held for your group.

Question 63

What if I'm not sure about my party's final headcount?

Accepted Answer

We get it, sometimes plans change! To help with this, we allow you to make changes to your reservation up to 3 days prior to your reservation. If you need to reduce your headcount, you may then use the remaining balance as a credit towards the purchase of other items for your reservation (such as additional games or food & beverage). Don't forget, you can add to your headcount up until the day of your reservation as long as space is available by calling 866-211-3369, Mon-Fri from 9:30am-10pm EST and Sat from 10am-9pm EST. Want to learn more? Visit our Terms and Conditions here to learn more.

Question 64

What if I need to change or edit my reservation after I've already checked out?

Accepted Answer

If you need to modify your reservation after booking, please call us at 866-211-3369, Mon-Fri from 9:30am-10pm EST and Sat from 10am-9pm EST and we'll do our best to accommodate your request

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