Open Bowling at Bob-E-Lanes Still: Your Excuse to Fail Gracefully
Listen, we know why you’re here. You need an excuse to wear those slightly repulsive, shared rental shoes and throw a heavy object down a perfectly smooth floor. You don’t want the pressure of a trophy or a league rival; you just want to knock some pins down and maybe spill a little beer. We get it. That’s what open bowling is for.
The Details (Keep it Simple, We’re a Bowling Alley)
When is Open Bowling?
The rule is simple: If the lights are on, and there isn’t a league in progress, you’re good to go.
- Look for the Schedule: We only have six glorious lanes, and our league take priority. Check the league schedule here.
- The Best Times: Generally, your safest bet is during the daytime or on Saturday and Sunday. We’re open earlier than you think (though not as early as our coffee addiction demands).
What to Expect:
- Lanes: Six of them. No more, no less. They are a perfectly maintained blend of worn maple and ancient, mysterious oil patterns.
- Pricing: We keep it simple. It’s per game, per person. We have hourly rates available if you’re feeling ambitious—or if you just want to sit on the lane bench and contemplate your terrible average. Ask the guy behind the counter for today’s incredibly fair prices.
- The Gear: We’ve got balls in all the standard, boring weights and shoes that smell faintly of the last fifty years. Don’t worry, they build character.
- The Vibe: Low-stakes, high-fun. Perfect for a first date, a terrible third date, or just avoiding your actual responsibilities for an hour.
A Manager’s Note (Don’t Be That Guy)
As the management here, let me issue a quick directive: Do not attempt to bowl on a league night. You may see an open lane and think, “Aha! A loophole!” There is no loophole. Those lanes are spoken for by people who take their 8-pin conversion very, very seriously. If you try to jump on a lane during league time, the collective glare of a dozen middle-aged athletes will melt your shoes.
Just stick to the schedule, grab a beer, and practice that spectacularly bad form in peace. We won’t judge. Unlike the league bowlers, we have to pretend we don’t.
Need to check the schedule and avoid a very awkward confrontation with the Tuesday Night “Industrial Strength” team? Click here to see the League Schedule.