5 Best Bowling Alleys in Houston

Copperfield Bowl shines with their focus on youth bowling, both for professional leagues and for recreational ones.

We like that this place has the classic aesthetic of the ’80s and 90’s bowling alleys, complete with painted illustrations on the lanes and built-in plastic chairs. Even if some equipment like ball returns is quite dated, the bowling alley is adequately maintained. 

Every season, the company holds professional leagues. You could test your bowling skills in the men’s, women’s, over 50’s, and youth games and try to win some medals and trophies. 

Just note the professional league dates if you want to play here. If there are games during the day, you may need to wait at least 2 hours before you could play here.

On the other hand, it’s wonderful that the Copperfield bowl provides kids with certain perks during the summers. 

If your child is a member of their kids’ club, they get 2 free games from June to August. On top of that, a bowling coach is also present every Saturday morning to teach the children this sport.

In our opinion, bowling is a healthy outlet for children to train their bodies and mind. Aside from the exercise and socialization it provides, this sport also helps in practicing your kid’s analytical and math skills.

Del Mar Lanes blend the old-fashioned atmosphere of bowling with some modern touches to improve your overall game experience. 

During Fridays and Saturdays, the bowling alley offers Unreal Bowling to its patrons. Here, you could enjoy interactive bowling games made possible with motion sensors, projectors, and infrared cameras.

We’re amazed at the visuals projected during the game. You could watch special effects like piano keys, flowing water, and a galaxy light show tracking the ball as it rolls toward the pins. 

There are also laser lights in the lounge plus some tv screens where you could watch some sports games while drinking beer. It’s also swell that the seating area is soft and lined with leather, providing a comfortable resting spot after a long game night.

There’s also a restaurant and bar inside called Brass Monkey where you could order some burgers, pizza, and craft beer after the game. Customers especially love their pizza Margherita and beer samples during select weekends.

While this bowling alley has unique lanes, it’s difficult to get a slot during weekends. If you have a group of more than 8 people, they won’t be able to serve you if you don’t have a reservation.

Some customers also had problems calling their hotlines during these busy hours. 

Still, in case you experienced the aforementioned problems, Del Mar Lanes would provide your party with some discount coupons for your next visit. This is to make up for the inconvenience they may have caused.

Bowlero Houston provides their customers with some fun activities aside from bowling.

You could feel the ‘80s retro vibe of the place due to the heavy use of dim lights and bright neon lights. The bowling alley looks lively with a nightclub-like feel, which is splendid if you want a cozy place to bowl and drink cocktails.

Due to its popularity, customers often need to wait a minimum of 1 hour before they can use the bowling lanes. Luckily, there are plenty of games you could play inside while waiting for your turn

The arcade has all the famous games like mini basketball, skee ball, and even claw machines. Kids would surely love this place if they were not too fond of bowling.

For adults, there are also pool tables and a sports bar. Here, you could munch some chow while waiting for game night or play a round of billiards with your pals.

Although, there are times when some lanes malfunction, particularly the pinsetters and the bumpers. With this, some games get delayed for several minutes.

Regardless, Bowlero Houston has a phone app where you could play bowling and win prizes. In turn, the prize could be redeemed as merchandise, bowling goods, and free game passes.

Emerald Bowl is an ideal bowling alley for those looking for a place that could accommodate a large number of people.

We love that his bowling alley has 40 available lanes with 20 ball return machines. There are also screens on each lane showing your score and a close-up shot of the bowling pins.

Their parking area is also expansive and could host at least 80 cars! 

With this, even if it’s peak hours, you won’t need to wait for several hours before you can play. This makes this bowling alley a wonderful venue for company parties or family get-togethers. 

The design of this place is on the plainer side of the spectrum with minimal decor. It’s also well-ventilated with multiple ceiling fans and vents to ensure proper airflow in the area.

Despite that, this company doesn’t accept Groupon vouchers after 5:00 P.M. on Fridays to Sundays. This is inconvenient because there’s no notice on the company’s site regarding this policy.

Also, some customers complained that the comfort rooms are a bit dirty, especially when there are many people in the bowling alley.

Still, Emerald Bowl is open until midnight and 2:00 A.M. on Friday and Saturday. This makes the bowling alley an ideal hangout spot for night owls.

What we love about Armadilla Lanes II is how friendly their staff was when dealing with customers.

As soon as you enter the place, the staff leads you toward their concierge. Many customers like how patient the front desk person was when instructing them about the registration process.

Likewise, it’s lovely that the staff is also quick to fix lane and scoring problems. They’re also attentive when serving people their food and drinks.

Another great aspect of this bowling alley is the quiet ambiance inside. Unlike some alleys, the music that they play here is a collection of mellow tunes, soft pop music, and the occasional upbeat indie hits.

When it comes to the amenities, the lanes and some equipment are newly renovated. Although we like that the company decided to keep some of the classic decorations like their snack bar menu and the carpet in the common area.

This bowling alley’s snack bar’s prices, however, are a bit more expensive than the others. It also takes a while before the food arrives on the table.

Also, for those planning to take their babies with them, be warned that they don’t have an area for diaper changes.

Regardless, we appreciate Armadilla Lanes II for discounts for senior citizens, which makes them an attractive option.