Lucky Strike: 8 Of London’s Best Bowling Alleys
Ready to ignite your inner competitive nature and score high? We’ve whittled down London’s best bowling alleys. Expect hoards of fun as you whizz the heavy balls down the aisles, share shoes with strangers and fall out with your friends over team names.
Whether you’re looking for date night ideas, somewhere to keep the kids entertained for hours or just some competitive fun, these are London’s best bowling alleys worth venturing to.
Ham Yard Hotel
Lined with two giant crocodile driftwood decorations, a baby grand piano and South African sofas, it’s easy to see on first look this isn’t just any old bowling alley.
Located within Soho’s Ham Yard Hotel, it’s home to four original 1950s bowling alleys. Pick up your ball of choice and whizz it down the alley into the expected brick wall complete with flickering lights and UV pins.
One Ham Yard, Soho, W1D 7DT
Courthouse Hotel
You might not immediately think you’ll find a bowling alley and cinema hidden within this hotel, but don’t let the exteriors fool you as it’s packed with activities you won’t want to miss.
Perfect for private functions, team building sessions or battling against your pals, Courthouse Hotel is home to a two lane bowling alley. It can be booked out privately hosting up to 100, complete with a DJ, private bar and a whole lot of fun.
19 – 21 Great Marlborough Street, Soho, W1F 7HL
All Star Lanes
Renowned for throwing a jolly good party, All Star Lanes is London’s best bowling alley for groups. They have exclusive packages dedicated to parties or you can just grab your friends, book a lane and see where the night takes you.
Relive your youth and book your next birthday party at one of their venues for a night filled with retro bowling, karaoke, cocktails and American-inspired cuisine.
A night filled with retro bowling, karaoke, cocktails and American-inspired cuisine...
Brick Lane, Holborn, Stratford & White City
QUEENS Skate Dine Bowl
Bowling session followed by a whizz around an ice rink? That’s what you can expect from an epic day out at QUEENS. The bowling alley-turned-ice rink features individual booth seating, striking lanes and neon lights. Paired with a great soundtrack and some quality friendly competitiveness, this is the ultimate place to head.
Grab a bite to eat while you bowl courtesy of MEATliquor. You’ll be tucking into filthy burgers stacked with cheese, bacon and any other dirty additions you could think of, fries loaded with blue cheese and buffalo sauce, and spicy chicken wings.
17 Queensway, Bayswater, W2 4QP
Bloomsbury Lane
Bowling alleys are often filled with artificial lights but taking it to the whole other extreme is Bloomsbury Lane whose whole vibe is dark, dingy and hipster.
Expect to find eight bowling lanes waiting for you, along with karaoke rooms so you can sing your heart out, bowl and dive into their dishes from their American-style diner. Order a round of lane snacks like fire wings, chilli cheese fries, chilli nachos and mac ‘n’ cheese sticks.
Tavistock Hotel, Bedford Way, Bloomsbury, WC1H 9EU
Strike
A bowling alley inside Britain’s oldest brewery? It’s different, that’s for sure. Strike is London’s newest boutique bowling alley complete with great cocktails, classic bowling grub and hours of striking fun.
Taking bowling to a whole new level, they also boast smart darts boards, electric shuffleboards and London’s first ever duckpin bowling lanes…
74 Wandsworth High Street, SW18 4LB
Rowan’s Tenpin Bowl
For those looking for an old school bowling alley without all of the fuss but packed with the competitive thrills, Rowan’s Tenpin Bowl is the place to head for some retro fun.
Home to tenpin bowling, the place is packed out with two floors of entertainment from pool tables and arcade games to overhead screens showing all of the big sporting events. For the singers amongst the group, book one of their private karaoke booths for a singing battle once the bowling has finished.
10 Stroud Green Road, Harringay, N4 2DF
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Hollywood Bowl
You’ll remember this one from your teen dating days but you can’t go wrong with a round of bowling at Hollywood Bowl. Home to various locations across London and beyond, pack out your afternoon with a game, classic bowling grub and drinks. Finish the date off with a few tries on their amusement arcades, from ticket machines to 2p slots.
Home to various locations across London and beyond, pack out your afternoon with a game, classic bowling grub and drinks.
Various Locations