Best bowling alley in the area?

Submitted by lnbp2022 t3_yx73ya in ColumbiaMD

Hi all! Looking for a good recommendation for a bowling alley in the area. Just strictly looking for a classic alley, no need for good food or drinks, arcade, etc. I'm in the Ellicott City area, but happy to travel around Howard County.

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EDIT: Anyone been to the duckpin alley in Mt. Airy? Have a reservation for 7pm on Friday during Rock and Bowl. Wondering if anyone's been during Rock and Bowl hours, and if so, if it's too dark/loud. Going with my dad, so I hope it's not like a club :)

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Level-Produce-3450 t1_iwna659 wrote

The Bowleros are so expensive. It's a shame they've been snatching up independent bowling alleys. Look for a non-Bowlero bowling alley. I think Odenton has one that looks good.

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lnbp2022 OP t1_iwnaq30 wrote

I am floored by how expensive that is. No kidding that's 5x what I was expecting, that's a shame! I'll check out Odenton. Looks like Mt. Airy has duckpin bowling, too.

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Legitimate-Produce-1 t1_iwndomx wrote

That would be Greenway. I used to bowl competitively in the region. No one will be able to top Laurel Lanes imo, but sadly, Bowlero snatched it up and shut it down.

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margaritathewitch t1_iwo0gol wrote

There are amazing groupons for bowlero almost constantly. Keep an eye out. Like $10 per person for 2 hours deals.

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BucketOfGuts t1_iwo2oa1 wrote

I went to the Columbia Bowlero not long after getting vaccinated when the wife and I started getting out more often and I couldn't believe how much it was when I booked a lane online on a weekday night. Granted, it is nice, we had a great time and when we got there, they basically treated us like royalty: manager came around, checked on us, even bought us a round of drinks. But I think that was mostly just because it was the beginning of the the world opening again and they weren't that busy.

And even then, it still wasn't worth what we had spent.

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bizbiz23 t1_iwnfqbj wrote

So it's been about three years since I've been, but Bowlero in Columbia was HORRIBLE. I bowled in a league there for a few years. Constant pinsetter issues, cosmic bowling at random daytime hours, etc.

They did a full-on renovation a few years back to include all decorations, bars, painting, and everything except for the pinsetters and anything important to the actual bowling. We had a few weeks where we had to wait over an hour for another lane to clear so we could bowl in our league.

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hokiejosie t1_iwr06lw wrote

I love mustang alley in Baltimore!

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duelingsith t1_iwz43ob wrote

Yep, I was going to recommend this place. You can reserve the duckpin lanes online, and it's a flat rate (I went a few months ago and I think it's $50) for an hour, and you can have up to like 6 or 7 people, I believe.

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vepearson t1_iwn7avc wrote

There are two places that you need to examine…. Bowlero Columbia on Carved Stone Lane in Columbia Bowlero Normandy on US Route 40 East in Ellicott City Both places have been at their respective locations for at least thirty years. I even first picked up a bowling ball at Normandy when it was a “Fair Lanes” alley….but that was nearly 50 years ago….

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lnbp2022 OP t1_iwn8ds1 wrote

Thanks! I live pretty close Bowlero Normandy, so that seems like the place to go. Have you been recently? Just wondering how busy it is during the weekends :)

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vepearson t1_iwn9dos wrote

I used to bowl league there during the week. They were usually pretty full during league season. On the weekends you’re competing with birthday parties and open play bowlers. They open at noon on Saturday and Sunday during league season. Your best bet is to get there when they first open. Keep striking!!

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lnbp2022 OP t1_iwn9jmi wrote

Thanks again! I just looked for Friday night, 7:00pm for 3 people is $220! That is wild!

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vepearson t1_iwnae97 wrote

That’s also prime time! The open play rates are the highest then. I also wouldn’t be surprised if that rate included such things as shoe rental, the games themselves (most likely they are the biggest line item) and some things from the snack bar.

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lnbp2022 OP t1_iwneoic wrote

Yep, spot on. I'll have to check it out during the week outside of prime time! Thanks for the rec!

You seem like you might be well versed: any chance you've been to duckpin alley in Mt. Airy?

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vepearson t1_iwnf3vl wrote

Actually, I have only been duckpin bowling twice. It’s very useful as spare shooting practice! But one doesn’t see duckpins on TV in this day and age! (Disclosure statement: I’m a card carrying PBA tour member)

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BismarkUMD t1_iwpfz0j wrote

There are bowling alleys in Main Event in the mall. I have no idea if they are good or not. Don't know about price. Just don't order food. It will take a year and a half. We are still waiting for a salad we ordered in 2019.

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ColeyOley t1_iwnktxb wrote

Groupon regularly has offers for Bowlero. We always go to the one off Snowden in Columbia, so I can't speak for Normandy. The last time we went was about 2 months ago, at noon on a Saturday right when they opened. It was basically empty, and it was clean. There was a pin reset/ball issue that was resolved fairly quickly. We ordered food and were happy with all of it except the milkshakes. They were like chocolate milk with ice, and the employees were kind enough to take them off our tab. Since the price was so great for 6 of us with shoe rental I really can't complain too much. It definitely beat their rack rates by a mile, that's for sure!

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acinott1 t1_iwnzyu8 wrote

Duck pin alley in silver spring/white oak MD. It's on new Hampshire and 29. I believe it's called sam's but could be wrong

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blorbschploble t1_iwo1c90 wrote

Did they ever recover from the double whammy of covid and black mold?

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acinott1 t1_iwpruaw wrote

I'm not aware of any mold issues. The place is old but seemed clean enough, just all original. Give them a call

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cybexcybex t1_iwqjgnq wrote

If you don't care about food and drinks, then Bowlero in Columbia would be fine (though a bit expensive). Their food service is the worst.

Main Event at the Columbia Mall has bowling lanes. Not sure the cost since my company paid for us as a team activity, but it was a good time.

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darthemrys t1_iwqrygq wrote

I've been to the duckpin alley in Mt airy when I was a kid. It was really fun. Haven't been in years, so I'm not sure how good it is anymore, but I have fond memories.

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blorbschploble t1_iwo15jl wrote

I go rarely and I heavily heavily prioritize not smelling like a damp nicotine rag when I am done, so bowlero off of Snowden. I am sure it costs too much. I know you can’t smoke in bowling alleys anymore, but you can never get that smell out.

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