25 Best Bowling Alleys in the United States

It’s been more than half a century since Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton of “The Honeymooners” escaped the drudgery of life on New York City’s bus routes and sewers with trips to Brooklyn’s Acme Alley as members of “The Hurricanes” bowling team.

To many in our modern age, the American bowling alley may seem as antiquated as “The Honeymooners” (or even “Kingpin” or “The Big Lebowski”). But while bowling is no longer the popular pastime it was during its heyday in the 1950s, the bowling alleys of today have reinvented themselves as all-purpose entertainment venues, drawing patrons as much for dining and gaming experiences, musical acts and laser light shows as well-oiled lanes.

Here’s a look at the best bowling alleys in the United States.

Opened: 1941

Bottom line: As much a music venue as a bowling alley, this famed venue in the Big Easy dates to 1941 and features live bands every night, with patrons known to dance between the lanes. 

Rock ‘n ‘ Bowl also is known as the only alley in the country that grinds its own chuck. Beyond burgers and fries, the menu features such Bayou specialties as shrimp remoulade and fried bread pudding po’boy.

Opened: 2012

Bottom line: Famous for its pet-friendly deck, elevated lounges and private karaoke room, The Goodnight is in the process of relocating to a new Austin location that will feature a “new menu, tablet scoring, virtual reality, karaoke and more.”

Let’s hope the new location recreates the huge mural of characters from “The Big Lebowski” and “Kingpin” that was a fixture of the previous site.

Opened: 1950 (formerly Olympic Lanes, renovated in 2012)

Bottom line: JB’s is one of the thousands of U.S. bowling centers and attracts kids and adults alike with attractions such as glow bowling and special effects lighting.

It has a nightclub vibe on weekends, an expansive arcade (“The Speed Zone”) and 25 Milwaukee-themed lanes that include lightweight bowling balls, dragon ramps and automatic bumpers.

If you want to try your hand at a different sport, JB’s offers a summer volleyball league in its very own volleyball pavilion.

Opened: 2012

Bottom line: “It’s not just a bowling alley” is how The Alley introduces itself on its website.

In addition to its eight lanes for bowling, The Alley offers patrons three bars (one made of recycled bowling wood) featuring craft beers, retro 1970s arcade games and two 160-inch projection TVs.

And if the bowling league doesn’t suit your tastes, you can take a whack at its ping-pong league.