Yes, you CAN go bowling in NYC! It's not as cheap as it is in the suburbs, but the kitsch factor is worth it. And each of the alleys below has, apparently, a hot club or lounge to accompany it.
This is a super thing to do if you are in your teens or 20s. For families, not all the lanes are as appropriat (eg Bowlmor).
Actually the only time I tried to go bowling in NYC, the place (Bowlmor) was booked up for the whole evening for a corporate event. In fact most of these places seem to have a lot of corporate events, so you may want call ahead and reserve, tho you can also take your chances since some of these places, like Bowlmor and Lucky Strike, are as much about their club atmosphere and lounges as they are about bowling.
Here's a rundown courtesy of New York magazine:
Lucky Strike--college age or 30s. 624-660 West 42nd Street (on the West Side Highway--really out of the way so take a cab there). 646-829-0170.. Monday nites after 8PM there is unlimited bowling til the close for $22. Club atmosphere...
Bowlmor---Geared towards college age. 110 University Place near E 12th St. 212-255-8188. Kitschy. Lots of NYU students and the Pressure Lounge upstairs a "rowdy nightclub" (very pretty also). A real scene.
300- Chelsea Piers- Pier 60-212-835-2695. West Side Highway around 23rd St. Kids and families in the day. Nighttime it "goes more disco". "Postgame drinks in the Loft, a lounge that overlooks the entire alley. "
Leisure Time/ Frames-- 625 8th Ave. near 40th (Port Authority). 212-836-9695. Newly renovated, this looks good on the website at least. More commuters, more serious. Not the best location so you really have to want to bowl to go here.
