Translation from English

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Bowlmor Lanes

People like to go bowling in Manhattan as much as anywhere, trouble is it is just usually too expensive.

I remember back to the 1960's when the only place I knew of to bowl was Bowlmor Lanes on University Place North of NYU.

I thought they had closed years ago, but apparently they kept going and added a place up in Times Square--

Bowlmor 2.0 rolling into Times Square

  • Last Updated: 5:18 PM, February 24, 2010
  • Posted: 4:53 PM, February 22, 2010
Trendy Union Square bowling alley Bowlmor Lanes announced today that it will open a second Manhattan location in Times Square.
A 90,000 square foot space located on West 44th Street will be the home to the planned New York-themed bowling venue.
The 50-lane alley will be designed around New York attractions, including Chinatown, Central Park and the subway system, will display Andy Warhol-type art in a "Pop New York" lounge and will feature a Brooklyn Bridge-inspired stairway, reports nbcnewyork.com.
The Times Square location is set to open October 2010.
Bowlmor Lanes at 110 University Place.
Bolivar Arellano6
Bowlmor Lanes at 110 University Place. 
I guess the thing to do is see what Yelp has to offer about Bowlmor...YES, COSTS AN ARM AND A LEG TO GO BOWLING IN MANHATTAN!

Bowlmor Union Square

3.0 star rating
256 reviews Rating Details
110 University Pl
(between 13th St & 12th St)
New York, NY 10003
Neighborhoods: Greenwich Village, Union Square
(212) 255-8188
Inappropriate? Announcement
All March Madness long! $1 Bracket Buster Bombs! $5 mimosas! $4 Drafts!  $8 Nachos!
Nearest Transit Station:
Union Sq - 14 St (L)
14 St - Union Sq (4, 5, 6, 6X)
14 St - Union Sq (N, Q, R)
Hours:
Mon 4 pm - 1 am
Tue-Thu 4 pm - 12 am
Fri 12 pm - 4 am
Sat 11 am - 4 am
Sun 11 am - 12 am
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Good for Kids:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
  • A Yelpy Insight: 30-somethings give this spot the nod. See more places they like.
Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Useful | Funny | Cool | Total Votes | Friends' | Elites'

256 reviews in English

  • Review from

    3.0 star rating
    7/5/2013 1 check-in here
    I like things that make me feel young and alive.  I don't like things that make me feel broke.  Hello Bowlmor!

    My boyfriend and I came here on a weeknight and left nearly homeless,  Bowling was $12 a game PER PERSON!  No one in their right mind really wants to only play once,   especially if said bowler is competitive and places bets on wins.  Well this competitive spirit will cost you much.

    Now with all this passion and fury to win, you're certainly going to work up a thirst.  Why not order the dunk tank?  Yes a gallon of a mixed drink for 2 people. That was just senseless.  Now all that intense focus on getting strikes and alcohol running through your system will surely make you work up an appetite.  Why not get something to eat?  Yes! An order of mozzarella sticks and sliders to share.  Good mozzarella sticks, mediocre sliders.

    Fun was had by all but that damn bill of nearly $200 kinda put a damper on it all.

    Next date night: watching netflix and eating tuna out of a can.
  • Review from

    • 22 friends
    • 61 reviews
    2.0 star rating
    7/9/2013 1 check-in here
    Welp, this place is expensive.

    Considering this is one of the only bowling lanes in the city, if you want to go bowling, you kind of just have to deal with it. For 2 shoe rentals & 2 games, it cost a hefty $65!

    I've also gone to the miniature golf "course" here too and it's equally as pricey (and pretty lame). I can't remember the exact price of the mini golf, but I think that was closer to $20-40.

    Staff here is meh. We did have a waitress that was really nice and was on top of her game, though.

    I've had some food here before and it was pretty good, but I was also drinking, so I can't really be sure that I was in the right mind to comment on the food. This last time, I got the sangria off their drink menu and it was basically straight sugar. No good.

    One other time, I went here for a charity event, and that was GREAT. Lots of fun, no complaints there.

    Sigh.. I really wish I could like you more, Bowlmor.
  • Review from

    4.0 star rating
    6/8/2013 1 check-in here
    So me, My Work Hubby and My Work Hubby's Actual Wife (who i will now affectionately be referring to as MWHAW...like a kiss...because 1) that's an awesome acronym and 2) that's just too many darn words to type every time I want to reference her) had a menage trois of the bowling kind a couple of weeks ago.  Well actually it was like a menage trente, as MWHAW managed to get 30 of us to keep her secret, pulling off one of the best surprise birthday parties I've ever attended.

    Now, if I'm being honest, our party was the type of fun-loving, happy-go-lucky people who can have a good time anywhere.  That being said, staging the party at Bowlmor was a grand idea.  The venue is all about controlled chaos. Lanes are outfitted with large screens playing fan favorite music videos right over the bowling pins.  There are bars...and a kaleidoscope of lights...and I believe video games.  It's definitely bowling at it's trendiest and my group genuinely appreciated the constant stimuli (and an atmosphere that allowed us to be as celebratory as we wanted to be).

    Service was great and the staff was very attentive.  The food however, did not win me over.  I'm not a huge fan of traditional bar food, which is what you'll get here, but it's a bowling alley so it's to be expected.  Our party noshed on a buffet of standard bar eats (chicken fingers, coconut shrimp, onion rings and fries) that were "meh" at best.

    Couple of tips
    -Bowling lanes are computerized and easy to set up
    -Adult parties are generally held until after 8, so the kiddies can have free reign during the afternoons (i like this policy a lot).
    -Renting shoes is quick and hassle free
    -You have to ride an old elevator (there is an attendant, that's how old the elevator is) to get from the entrance to the main bowling area (a bit of a hassle, but easy to get over unless you're claustrophobic).

    To sum up...Bowlmor is great place to have a social gathering, especially if you plan to eat beforehand.  Let me know if you ever want to go, as bowling is one of my favorite pastimes!
  • Review from

    3.0 star rating
    7/3/2013 1 check-in here
    It is what it is.  It's a loungy bar meets bowling alley.  If you don't think you are going to feel like your wallet is under total assault at this place, you are naive.  If you think you are going to get the highest quality bowling experience, you are naïve.  If you expect a great selection of food and beverage, you are naïve.
  • Review from

    4.0 star rating
    5/2/2013
    I organized and attended a work event here, and everything went smoothly and a great time was had by all.

    All the steps of setting up a group event went smoothly, with prompt responses from the Bowlmor organizer and very friendly service when we got there.  We all got our shoes and the food laid out without a hitch, and our waitress was pretty prompt for taking/bringing drink orders for the 2.5 hours we were there.

    It was pretty expensive ($1900 for 16 people for shoes, 2 app/2 entree/1 dessert menu, drinks and 2.5 hours bowling, yowza) but everyone left with a smile so it was definitely a successful evening. This is a great place for a casual, ice-breaking group outing, because hey, who doesn't love trying their hand at a sport that encourages you to drink beer and eat pizza *while playing*?
  • Review from

    • 48 friends
    • 186 reviews
    4.0 star rating
    6/15/2013 1 check-in here
    Who doesn't love to bowl every now and then? Bowlmor is located on the 3rd and fourth floors of a centrally located University Place building. When you get inside, it is clear that this isn't your Dad's bowling alley. There are neon lights, black-lights, loud music, big tv's and a youthful crowd. The staff is friendly and accommodating and the drinks are not too costly.
  • Review from

    4.0 star rating
    4/15/2013 1 check-in here
    Who knew how awesome of a bowler I was?  Not me!  Bowlmore is a block or two south of Union Square and it is the only bowling alley I have ever been to where you take an elevator!    

    Bowling shoes are old school, food is standard, and the drinks are cold!  Love, love, love!
 

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