11 Best Bowling Alleys in Metro Phoenix

We hate to say it, but someone has to get the ball rolling. Here in metro Phoenix, that's pretty easy to do, given the plethora of bowling alleys offering everything from vintage vibes and state-of-the-art systems to league play and the perfect place to party.

Whether you’re looking to brush up on your game or just get a group together for a night on the lanes, here are 11 favorite bowling alleys in the Valley.

Bowlero Christown
1919 West Bethany Home Road
602-249-1715

Recognizable for its distinct Midcentury Modern architecture, Bowlero Christown sports the classic bowling alley look and feel throughout its 48 bowling lanes and checkered-floor dining area. Bowlero is home to several leagues for coed, women, senior, and youth bowlers, and also offers an onsite pro shop. Inside you'll also find pool tables, arcade games, foosball, shuffleboard, and an attached sports bar — all right around the corner from the 19th Avenue and Montebello Transit Center of the Metro Light Rail.

Bowlmor Scottsdale
7300 East Thomas Road in Scottsdale
480-946-5308

A more recent addition to the Valley bowling scene, Bowlmor Scottsdale is a one-stop shop if you happen to want a swanky lounge, party atmosphere, and 24 lanes of black-light bowling. Though league play won’t be found at Bowlmor, amenities such as private lanes and semi-private bowling suites, billiards, a signature menu, and lane-side beverage services are available. Covering 22,000 square feet, a place like this should come to mind for company holiday parties, team-building events, and as a celebration spot for holidays like the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve.

Uptown Alley
13525 North Litchfield Road in Surprise
623-975-7529

Those looking to bowl in the West Valley can't go wrong with Uptown Alley. Is it a bowling alley, bar, music venue, or restaurant? Yes — to everything. The 60,000-square-foot Surprise location offers 40 bowling lanes accompanied by black lights, 15-foot projection TVs, and music. There are adult and youth bowling leagues, and the Uptowners Club for bowlers 55 and older. While here, you’re encouraged to check out The Approach, the adult-leaning lounge with 10 private lanes, a full-service bar, dance floor, billiards, and a lounge area. There’s also Red Embers Bar & Grill, a two-story laser tag arena, a state-of-the-art game viewing theater, and live music.

Lucky Strike
50 West Jefferson Street, #240
602-732-5490

Downtown Phoenix is home to Lucky Strike – CityScape’s 12-lane bowling alley that announces itself with a neon bowling pin sign at the intersection of First Avenue and Jefferson Street. This bowling spot offers such amenities as four-lane bowling suites, two full bars, bottle service, and live DJs on Friday and Saturday nights. You’ll also find billiards, six projection scenes, and oh, free Wi-Fi. This is the type of place that has grilled wings, kale salads, and street tacos on its full menu from A2K Kitchen, and handcrafted cocktails, an array of wines, and draft beer. See how many corporate events and bachelorette parties you can spot on any given night.

Brunswick Zone Mesa Lanes
1754 West Southern Avenue in Mesa
480-834-0588

Found in close proximity to Mesa Community College, Brunswick Zone Mesa Lanes offers 40 bowling lanes and an onsite pro shop for you East Valley bowlers. Mesa Lanes has more than a few leagues from which to choose. Other amenities at this Mesa bowling house include pool tables, a lively arcade, and a lounge area. There is also a room available for private parties, and an outdoor patio area. Specials include Monday Mayhem, $2 Tuesdays, Wednesday Late Nights, After Party Fridays, and Sunday Funday, along with Early Bird Bowling for Sunday morning patrons.

AMF Deer Valley Lanes
2902 West Thunderbird Road
602-866-1700

Neatly tucked away in a north Central Phoenix shopping plaza, AMF Deer Valley Lanes offers 32 bowling lanes along with arcade games, pool tables, special events, and plenty of drinks and snacks to fuel up for a day of play. This Deer Valley bowling alley offers weekly specials like Monday Mayhem, $2 Tuesdays with $2 PBRs, College Night, and After Party Fridays. Several leagues call AMF Deer Valley Lanes their bowling home, and a full menu of pizza, burgers, and dessert is available at the Laneside snack bar.

Fat Cats Gilbert
4321 East Baseline Road in Gilbert
480-498-3325

There’s a lot going on at Fat Cats, the Gilbert-based entertainment complex offering everything from artisan pizza and arcade games to nightlife. Aside from the Recline-N-Dine theater, the game and prize center, and the nine-hole, glow-in-the-dark mini golf course, there’s also a 20-lane bowling alley. By night, Fat Cat’s bowling alley becomes Thunder Alley, offering patrons a cosmic bowling experience with Top 40 jams, a full menu, unlimited bowling (that includes shoe rental) until 1 a.m., and drink specials on shots, Kilt Lifter, and more.

AMF Tempe Village Lanes
4407 South Rural Road in Tempe
480-831-5322

If you’re trying to ‘gram your bowling night, get on the free Wi-Fi at the 32-lane AMF Tempe Village Lanes bowling alley. This being Arizona State University country, Wednesday’s College Night is popular thanks to $7 bowling admission (including shoe rental), $2 PBRs, and $10 pizza from 9 p.m. to midnight. Tempe Village Lanes also features the AMF-famous weekly specials like After Party Fridays, Sunday Funday, and $2 Tuesdays, all with their own bowling and beer specials. Coed leagues are also available. And P.S., AMF Tempe Village Lanes is also the bowling alley Napoleon got himself thrown out of in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. We figured you'd want to know.

Brunswick Zone Desert Sky Lanes
7241 West Indian School Road
623-846-2090

Many west Phoenix residents have spent some time at Brunswick Zone Desert Sky Lanes, the 40-lane bowling spot in the West Valley. Desert Sky Lanes also includes the usual weekly specials like Monday Mayhem, $2 Tuesdays, After Party Fridays, and Sunday Funday – plus unlimited bowling for its Wednesday Late Nights, No Limits special. Desert Sky is home to leagues for senior, youth, and coed bowlers, and there's also an onsite pro shop and a rentable private room. If you’ve had enough of waiting for your turn to bowl, check out the buzzing arcade, pool tables, and lounge area.

Main Event Entertainment
8545 South Emerald Drive in Tempe
480-753-1200

You’ve probably spotted Main Event Entertainment while angrily packing up your car from the IKEA parking lot. TME is a bowling alley, restaurant, laser tag arena, and arcade. Its multi-lane bowling alley comes equipped with large screens airing current music videos and game enhancers like black lights, lasers, and fog machines. Corporate events, birthday parties, and date nights are big here thanks to meeting rooms, a lengthy bar menu with specialty cocktails, a full kitchen, and one of those "Gravity" ropes mazes. Main Event also offers eight-week bowling leagues known as FUNleagues, and weekly specials like Monday Night Madness.

Let It Roll Bowl & Entertainment
8925 North 12th Street
602-944-4401

You’re encouraged to let the good times roll at Let It Roll Bowl & Entertainment – a north central Valley bowling alley and, well, a lot more. Let It Roll Bowl is known for specials like All-U-Can-Bowl, and events like Rock ‘N’ Cosmic Bowl Weekends. Youth, mixed, and ladies leagues are available for the serious bowlers, while those with a lukewarm love toward the sport can post up at The Lounge – a historic, 1962 watering hole that still happens to be as hip as can be. Other perks include the King Pin 300 Pizza & Grill, where you can also grab a milkshake or cannoli. Group rates are available for corporate events, church groups, fundraisers, and adult parties.

Editor's note: This post has been updated from its original version.