You don't have to belong to a league to enjoy a night of bowling with friends. Although, those shirts are pretty cool. Whether your squad goals include old-school bowling vibes with a bucket of Miller High Life and patty melts or fancy cocktails, organic food and posh seating while seeking strikes and spares, there's something for every late night bowler at one of these Atlanta alleys.
"Venite Ludere." In other words, come play, y'all. That's the motto of Atlanta newest (and fanciest) bowling boutique. The Painted Pin in the heart of Buckhead features 20 full-service lanes with Chesterfield couches for lounging, lane-side shoe, ball, food and drink delivery as well as valet parking. Sip on a Manhattan while you share a wood fire pizza or fish tacos and bowl a few sets with fine friends on a Friday night. $25 an hour per lane Monday-Thursday, $35 an hour per lane Friday-Sunday. Shoe rental extra. Open 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Monday-Thursday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 11 a.m to 2 a.m. Saturday, noon to midnight Sunday. Ages 21 and older except Saturday and Sunday before 5 p.m. 737 Miami Circle NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30324, 404-814-8736, www.thepaintedpin.com
Don your most ironic bowling league shirt for a throw-back Thursday night at Midtown Bowl. Serving up lane-side fun since 1960, this old school bowling alley boasts affordable food and drink with an extensive selection of beer and spirits as well as dive alley classics like wings and patty melts. You just can't beat the nostalgic experience this Atlanta classic has to offer ... or the prices. $24 an hour per lane Monday-Thursday. $35 an hour per lane Friday and Saturday. $20 an hour per lane Sunday. Shoe rental extra. Open Sunday-Wednesday 9 a.m. to 12 a.m., Thursday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. 1936 Piedmont Circle NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30324, 404-874-5703, www.midtownbowl.com
Awesome beats, black lights, lasers and glow lanes after 9 p.m.? It must be time for Cosmic Bowling at Funtime Bowl. Buford Highway has more to offer than amazing food. Gather your friends, grab drinks and reserve one of the 24 lanes as the lights go down and music turns up for a late-night, techno bowling party like no other. Cosmic Bowling: $4 a game per person. Shoe rental extra. Funtime Bowl: Open noon to midnight Sunday-Thursday, noon to 2 a.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m Saturday. Cosmic Bowling: Open 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday. 3285 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30329, 404-636-7548, www.funtimebowl.com
With two OTP locations, late-night bowling isn't confined to just the city. Both Brunswick Lanes locations are large and in charge with over 40,000 square feet of fun and games, featuring comfortable alley seating with up to 40 lanes, fully stocked bars, an in-alley restaurant, Tavern 45, serving up American pub classics and bowling specials for those staying up late on a school night. $4.29 to $5.29 an game per person. Shoe rental extra. Open 4 p.m. to midnight Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to midnight Sunday. 2749 Delk Road, Marietta, Ga. 30067, 770-988-8813; 6345 Spalding Drive, Norcross, Ga. 30092, 770-840-8200, www.brunswicks.com
Eight locations throughout metro Atlanta means everyone can enjoy an evening out with friends bowling for strikes. Grab a burger and a beer before your lane becomes available at the in-alley cafe, then bowl into the wee hours at Stars and Strikes' updated nod to the traditional bowling alley. $24.99 an hour per lane Monday-Thursday, $29.99 an hour per lane Friday-Sunday. Shoe rental extra. Open 10 a.m. to midnight, Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to midnight Sunday.
133 Merchant Square, Cumming, Ga. 30040
1601 Horizon Parkway, Buford, Ga. 30518
1700 Winder Highway, Suite 100 Dacula, Ga. 30019
8767 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, Ga. 30350
2400 Hiram Acworth Highway, Dallas, Ga. 30157
1741 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain, Ga. 30083
479 Brightwell Court, Loganville, Ga. 30052
10010 GA 92 Suite 180, Woodstock, Ga. 30188
678-965-5707, www.starsandstrikes.com
Eat. Bowl. Play. That's the goal at Main Event. Whether you're in town or on Atlanta's north side, Main Event has something for everyone seeking a little late night vibe. Bowl in comfort at one of the 24 lanes while eating and drinking under the glow of the black lights and lasers surrounded by a cosmic fog. Please call locations for lane rates and availability. Open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday, 11 a.m. to midnight Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday, 3101 Cobb Parkway SE, Suite 104, Atlanta, Ga. 30339, 770-955-0717; 10700 Davis Drive Alpharetta, Ga. 30009, 770-521-9100, www.mainevent.com
