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Family-Friendly Bowling Alleys in Manhattan

Manhattan bowling alleys are often luxe lounges with amenities such as bottle service, fine dining, dress codes, and age restrictions. Kids generally are not allowed after dark, but families are welcome during the day. Although these family-friendly bowling alleys offer drop-in bowling, it's best to make a reservation.

If you plan on bringing lots of little ones, ask for bumpers to ensure they don't get discouraged by throwing gutter balls. If you're looking for a less expensive, more old-school experience, high-tail it to the outer boroughs.

Bowlero Chelsea Piers – Chelsea

Age restrictions: None
Though not as uniquely designed as the Times Square location (below), Bowlero at Chelsea Piers is still upscale, with 40 lanes featuring flat-screens blaring music videos, excellent bar food, an arcade, and a small laser tag arena.

Frames Bowling Lounge – Midtown West

Age restrictions: 21 and older after 8pm Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
A swanky bowling lounge located in Port Authority Bus Terminal, Frames features pool tables, a ping pong room, and a karaoke lounge plus its 28-lane bowling alley. Food is available lane-side and includes kid favorites such as chicken tenders. The family special is available Saturdays and Sundays before 5pm and consists of two hours of bowling (with shoe rental), platters of pizza, chicken tenders, and fries, plus one pitcher of soda per lane.

Bowlero Times Square – Midtown West

Age restrictions: 21 on Fridays and Saturdays after 9pm
With 50 high-quality bowling lanes, Bowlero Times Square offers an unparalleled bowling experience at an action-packed arcade, billiards, and a sports bar that serves refreshing drinks and tasty food. Private rooms and private lanes are available. Online reservations are recommended.

The Gutter Bar – Lower East Side

Age restrictions: 21 and older after 7pm daily
Boasting 12 vintage lanes, a 100-foot circular bar with 24 American beers on draft, and vintage pinball machines and video games, parents and kids alike have a blast at the only bowling alley on the LES. Rocking a retro vibe, the bowling alley is decked out with vintage decor and paraphernalia from the 1960s and '70s. Dine on brick-oven pizza and classic pub fare from the Gutter's full kitchen and enjoy a game on one of the four TVs.

Family-Friendly Bowling Alleys in Brooklyn​

Melody Lanes – Sunset Park, Brooklyn

Age restrictions: None
A renovation brought flat-screens to its 26 lanes, but Melody still feels authentically old-school with after-school leagues for kids, a small arcade, and specials such as glow-in-the-dark bowling on weekend evenings. Follow its Facebook page for specials.

Funfest – Mill Basin, Brooklyn

Age restrictions: None
This neighborhood bowling alley offers leagues for adults and children. Be sure to check the website for other specials.

Bowl 360 – Gravesend, Brooklyn

Age restrictions: None
Formerly Shell Lanes, families can choose from one of 32 lanes to bowl. The bowling alley features a fun, new arcade and hosts birthday parties and events. Check the website for hours and pricing, including great specials at discounted prices.

Brooklyn Bowl – Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Age restrictions: 21 after 6pm.
This is a true hipster haven with 16 lanes of bowling, live concerts, and great eats like French bread pizza, and fried chicken from Blue Ribbon. It's often adults-only, but there are family hours on weekends, including regular afternoon dance parties for kids presented by the Rock and Roll Playhouse. Separate tickets are required for the dance parties; find the full schedule here.

Family-Friendly Bowling Alleys in Queens

Bowlero Queens – Woodside, Queens

Age restrictions: None
Enjoy 35 lanes of bowling, plus pool tables and video games at this Woodside spot. Bowlero is child-friendly during daytime hours, and its menu includes pizza, sweet treats, and other kid-pleasers. Check the website for specials.

Bowl 360 – Astoria, Queens

Age restrictions: None
This traditional bowling alley lies in LaGuardia Airport's shadow and is a bit far from mass transit. Thankfully, there's a parking lot. You'll find 28 lanes, an arcade, snack options from finger foods to entrees, and league bowling. With balls as light as 4 pounds, even the youngest bowlers can get in on the action.

Jib Lanes – Flushing, Queens

Age restrictions: None
Jib offers a pro shop, cafe, and bowling lessons for kids. It also has great specials, including Family Fun packs. For serious bowlers, join one of its adult or youth leagues.

Whitestone Lanes – Flushing, Queens

Age restrictions: None
Bowling is available until the wee hours of the morning at this colorful, bright alley with 48 lanes, a snack shop, a bar, and a pro shop. There are kids' leagues and all-you-can-bowl specials—check the website for details.

Family-Friendly Bowling Alleys in the Bronx

Bowlerland – Eastchester, the Bronx

Age restrictions: None
This 32-lane, no-frills joint offers inexpensive games and numerous specials. Make sure to bring cash.

Family-Friendly Bowling Alleys in Staten Island

Rab’s Country Lanes – Concord, Staten Island

Age restrictions: None
This huge alley has more than 40 lanes, three private party rooms for birthdays, leagues for kids, and a cool laser maze you can navigate like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible. Visit the website for current promotions. Reservations are recommended.

Showplace Entertainment Center – Travis-Chelsea, Staten Island

Age restrictions: None
This Staten Island spot is a mega entertainment complex with 32 lanes of bowling, an arcade, a comedy club, a snack bar, and a sports bar. It has leagues for all ages, and junior league participants receive free coaching. Check the Facebook page for regular updates.

Find more bowling lanes in the nearby 'burbs, including New Jersey and Long Island.

Originally published in January 2010.

Photos courtesy of the venues