Ten Places to Drink and Bowl in Philadelphia
If bowling with a beverage is up your alley, check out these full service and bring-your-own places to knock back some drinks while you knock down pins. Bumpers may come in handy as the night wears on.
Full Bar
Erie Lanes: (1310 Erie Ave, Philadelphia; 215-535-3500)
A basic, no frills, place to drink and bowl (and eat) if you’re looking to save a few bucks.
Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge: (1336 Chestnut St., Philadelphia; 215-545-2471)
Get dressed-up and go for a roll. Add luxurious couches and bottle service to your 300. Mind the dress code, or your only strike will be out at the door.
Laurel Lanes & Brewsters: (2825 Route 73 S., Maple Shade, NJ; 856-778-7467)
Connected to Brewster’s Pub, grab a few cold ones and bowl at one of 64 lanes. Arcade games and pool tables really tie the night together.
North Bowl: (909 N 2nd St., Philadelphia; 215-238-BOWL)
Two floors of fun. Bars and lanes on both levels, with a lounge, arcade games and a pool table upstairs. Look for Happy Hour bowling specials, speciality cocktails, and their famous tots.
Pinsetter Bar & Bowl: (7111 Maple Ave, Merchantville, NJ; 856-665-3377)
Formerly Maple Bowl, New Jersey’s answer to Lucky Strike projects music videos for your soundtrack for fun. Keep your eyes on their site for weekly food and drink specials.
Wynnewood Lanes Bowling & Lounge: (2228 Haverford Road, Ste 1, Ardmore, PA; 610-642-7512)
Full service bar and happy hour specials. Catch live music during Rock ‘N’ Bowl on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.
BYOB (booze and bowl on a budget)
Pep Bowl: (1200 South Broad St., Philadelphia; 215-952-BOWL)
This subterranean South Philly six lane bowling alley is intimate and inexpensive. Entrance is on Federal Street though a courtyard and down the stairs. No password or special handshake required for entry.
T-Bird (Thunderbird) Lanes: (5830 Castor Ave Philadelphia, PA 19149 (215) 743-2521)
A good ol’ fashioned, nothing fancy kind of place. BYOF, if you like to chew while you chop. Just don’t choke.
Hi Spot Lanes: (3857 Pechin St. Philadelphia; 215-483-2120)
Decades of history for this family-run, neighborhood spot. Bring drinks and food. Leave pretentiousness behind.
Coming Soon
“South Bowl”: (19 E Oregon Ave., Philadelphia)
Still expected to complete this fall, Oron Daska’s vision for North Bowl’s sister to the south is well on its way. Head over to the old Thomas Colace warehouse, just down the block from Tony Luke’s, Cheerleaders, and IKEA, to keep an eye on renovation in progress.
Tags: Beer, Cocktails, Food, Sports, Wine