Dinner, movies, bars…what do all these things have in common? Answer: they’re unoriginal date ideas. To show your loved one you recognize how special and unique they are, you have to take them somewhere better than the Red Lobster now and then (not that cheddar biscuits aren’t a delicious delicacy). Bowling is a surefire date classic for a reason. Cold brews, cool shoes, and a bit of playful combativeness….who could ask for more? The following five bowling alleys are spread out across New York City, so that no matter what part of town you call home, you can take your special someone out for a date that’s a perfect strike every time.
300 New York
Upscale alley cats can bowl in style at 300 New York, where this pastime of the working class gets a metropolitan makeover. From the trippily atmospheric permanent lightshow playing over the lanes to the shiny blue bar and ultra-modern furniture, there’s no shortage of pretty things to look at. Too bad the supposedly fancy food and drinks are no better than your standard pub grub. The upstairs VIP lounge (with a private 8-lane bowling area and, more importantly, a bar of its own) would be perfect for a party, but bowlers on a budget will have just as good a time downstairs among the plebians.
Most people are surprised enough to learn that a bowling alley actually exists in Port Authority, much less that it’s real classy-like. With a recent renovation and a fantastic new menu, Leisure Time has secured its position as the nicest corner of Port Authority, bar none. Positives include the delicious food (I still crave their steak-on-toast appetizer) and the central location, as well as the easygoing and unassuming attitude. However, the bill can add up fast, and the staff members are often slow and apathetic. The energetic city crowd can be a mixed blessing – a lively atmosphere is one thing, but the younger bowlers can get a little obnoxious late at night – so come early if you want to be able to hear your date talk.
Sure it’s overpriced and tries too hard to be like a cool nightclub when it should be sticking to the basics – bowling, beer, and bar food. But Greenwich Village’s Bowlmor Lanes still attracts the crowds, partly because it’s conveniently located within close proximity of about a dozen NYU dorms, and partly because of its appearance in Sex and the City (in a particularly memorable Carrie-Big date scene). The crowd here consists mostly of googly-eyed couples and groups of tipsy college kids blowing their parents’ money, so if you don’t enjoy overhearing deafening discussions about the cute TA in Psych 101, you may want to steer clear.
Harlem’s newest bowling alley speaks of the elegance and cool style of Harlem past, while its slick modern elements reflect the rapidly modernizing Harlem of today. Unlike the overly flashy quasi-futurism of 300 and Bowlmor Lanes, Harlem Lanes presents an idealized representation of bowling lanes of old with its classic, almost retro design. The food and drinks are as pretention-free as they are delicious, and the staff is refreshingly friendly and alert (a big difference from places like Leisure Time Bowl). It may not be a kitschy dive like the bowling alleys of suburban nostalgia and memory, but Harlem Lanes is a serious bowling lover’s dream hangout. The Dude would love it.
Melody Lanes Bowling Center is one of the only ‘real’ bowling alleys left in the New York area. By that I mean, everything is cheap, the customer base is colorful and composed mostly of locals, and the bar food is awesomely greasy. No escargots or lychee-tinis here. Between games, chat up the kindly bartender and throw back some cheap beers in the lounge, or pump some quarters into the arcade like the old days. The location (across the street from the Jackie Gleason bus depot on Brooklyn’s 5th Avenue) may not scream romance at first glance, but take your date on an after-bowling stroll through nearby Sunset Park for an amazing view and the, ahem, activities that tend to go along with such a lookout point.
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