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The 5 Best Bowling Centres in Manchester
Manchester is a bustling city, known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and sporting passion, which provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable bowling adventure.
Whether you’re planning a family outing, a team-building event, or a night out with friends, there’s a place for you to bowl in the area.
Are you looking for a place where you can bowl with friends over drinks or throw a children’s party? Here are the best bowling centres in Manchester!
1. Dog Bowl
Services: Bowling, Arcade Games, Food, Drinks
Website: https://dogbowlmanchester.co.uk/
Address: 57 Whitworth St W, Manchester M1 5WW, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 161 228 2888
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 12:00 PM–12:00 AM
- Friday to Saturday: 12:00 PM–2:00 AM
Google Reviews Score | 4.3/5 |
Total Reviews | 4.7/5 |
Score Consistency | 4/5 |
Pros
- Has an accessible location
- Has a wide range of entertainment and food services
- Has off-peak discounted rates
Cons
- Opens later compared to other bowling centres
Dog Bowl is a New York-inspired bowling alley. We believe that this has been a popular destination due to its location at the heart of Manchester where both private and public transportation is accessible.
Sadly, while it’s open every day, it opens later than some other centres in the area. For us, the place might not be ideal for those looking for an early game.
However, we like that they offer extended operating hours on Friday and Saturday — making it perfect for those seeking late-night bowling adventures.
One of the standout features of this centre is the wide array of services they offer. From the thrilling bowling experience to the entertaining arcade games, it’s a perfect destination for those who want to have a blast with colleagues, friends, and family.
We also appreciate the option to enjoy delicious food and drinks from their bar while bowling adds extra points for a complete and enjoyable experience.
Their affordability is a definite plus point. With off-peak prices starting at just £8 on weekdays from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, we think that it’s a great option for budget-conscious bowlers.
The staff here also impressed us with their excellent service during our recent visit. They were even accommodating to multiple changes in booking, and their friendliness is one of the reasons we had a fantastic time.
2. Lane7
Services: Bowling, Beer Pong, Darts, Pool, Pods, Shuffle Board, Arcades, Food, Drinks
Website: https://lane7.co.uk/
Address: Unit 3, 235 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 161 510 0034
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 AM–12:00 AM
- Friday to Saturday: 11:00 AM–2:00 AM
Google Reviews Score | 4.2/5 |
Facebook Reviews Score | 3.6/5 |
Total Reviews | 4.3/5 |
Score Consistency | 4/5 |
Accessibility | 4.6/5 |
→Location | 5/5 |
→Operating Hours | 5/5 |
→Wait List (A higher score means shorter waiting time) | 4/5 |
Range of Services | 5/5 |
Price | 4/5 |
Customer Service | 5/5 |
Pros
- Operational as late as 2:00 pm
- Has a wide range of services
- Has an accessible location
Cons
- Has a long waiting list
- Has strict refund policy
Lane7 is an action-packed paradise for anyone seeking a thrilling experience in Manchester. Offering a wide range of activities such as bowling, beer pong, darts, pool, pods, shuffleboard, and arcades, we like that this place ensures there’s never a dull moment during your visit.
Located in a convenient spot at Deansgate, it makes it easy for both locals and visitors to join in on the fun. Plus, with its late-night opening hours, staying entertained till the 2:00 am hours is no problem — earning them some major plus points in our books!
While their prices are generally reasonable, we did come across one complaint about their refund policy. One customer expressed frustration over not being able to receive a refund after being denied entry due to an ID issue.
It’s something to be mindful of, but we believe it’s an isolated incident and doesn’t necessarily represent the overall experience.
Booking in advance is a wise move to secure your spot here, given its popularity. Fortunately, we like that their customer service is highly responsive and reliable.
If you encounter any issues or have special requests, they are quick to assist and ensure your visit goes smoothly. Overall, we’re happy with the services of this team.
3. Tenpin
Services: Bowling, Karaoke, Laser Tag, Soft Play, Escape Rooms
Website: https://www.tenpin.co.uk/
Address: The Printworks, 27 Withy Grove, Manchester M4 2BS, United Kingdom
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 AM–1:00 AM
- Friday to Saturday: 10:00 AM–2:30 AM
Google Reviews Score | 4.3/5 |
Facebook Reviews Score | 4.6/5 |
Total Reviews | 4.5/5 |
Score Consistency | 4/5 |
Accessibility | 5/5 |
→Location | 5/5 |
→Operating Hours | 5/5 |
→Wait List (A higher score means shorter waiting time) | 5/5 |
Range of Services | 5/5 |
Price | 4/5 |
Customer Service | 5/5 |
Pros
- Has 20 years of experience in the industry
- Has packages
- Offers a wide range of services, including soft play
Cons
- More expensive compared to other bowling centre
Tenpin, with its 50 fun-filled centres across the UK, brings 20 years of bowling experience to Manchester. We appreciate that their alleys boast vibrant light-up alleys, creating an exciting atmosphere for all bowlers.
They stand out with their availability of soft play for kids. For us, this is a major plus since not many bowling centres offer this service, catering to families looking for all-around fun.
Also that they have early opening hours, making it a fantastic option for morning activities.
They also hit the bullseye when it comes to activities. From the classic joy of bowling to laser tag, they offer a diverse range of entertainment options for visitors with different preferences.
Although they are on the pricier side compared to other bowling alleys, we believe their offerings justify the cost. For instance, the comprehensive Birthday Party Package, priced at £12.50 per person, includes bowling fun, dancing, and balloon modelling.
This also includes a goody bag for the birthday child, tasty pizza served on the lanes for all children, and unlimited squash – which are all elements that make for a memorable celebration if you ask us.
Their customer service is also on point, with staff members who are known to be helpful and enthusiastic to ensure that their guests are having fun.
4. Hollywood Bowl
Services: Bowling, Arcade Games, Food, Drinks
Website: https://www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk/
Address: Fold Way, Ashton Moss Leisure Park, Ashton-under-Lyne OL7 0PG, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 844 826 1465
Operating Hours:
- Sunday: 9:00 AM–11:00 PM
- Monday to Thursday: 10:00 AM–11:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM–11:30 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM–12:00 AM
Google Reviews Score | 4.1/5 |
Facebook Reviews Score | 3.8/5 |
Total Reviews | 4.8/5 |
Score Consistency | 4/5 |
Accessibility | 4.6/5 |
→Location | 5/5 |
→Operating Hours | 4/5 |
→Wait List (A higher score means shorter waiting time) | 5/5 |
Range of Services | 5/5 |
Price | 5/5 |
Customer Service | 4/5 |
Pros
- Has a wide range of entertainment services
- Has various bowling packages
- Has affordable rates
Cons
- Has confusing operating hours
- Has instances of slow customer service
Hollywood Bowl is all about affordable fun and creating a feel-good atmosphere for families and friends to come together. We were impressed that they have 64 centres across the UK, and there is one in Manchester.
Here, they offer an array of entertainment. This includes food, drink, amusements, and a pool, ensuring a fantastic experience under one roof — which is something that we appreciate.
What made them stand out to us is their various bowling packages such as VIP Lanes, HyperBowling, and specific options for adults and students.
We learned that the VIP is the most popular one since this experience adds a touch of luxury, with attentive service and unique features, making every visit extra special.
Unfortunately, they have confusing operating hours since it varies every day. With this, we suggest calling their team before heading over.
On the other hand, we love that they have affordable rates, starting at £5.75 per game per person, offering fantastic value for the fun-filled experience they provide. The family-friendly option of playing for £23.75 per game is another plus point.
While most customers praise the accommodating staff members here, we’ve also come across several complaints about slow service. Nevertheless, we still think that they are worth the try.
5. Namco Funscape
Services: Bowling, Arcade, Dodgems, Bar, Diner
Website: https://www.namcofunscape.com/
Address: 14, The Orient, The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 8ED, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 161 749 1111
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 AM–11:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 10:00 AM–12:00 AM
Google Reviews Score | 4.2/5 |
Facebook Reviews Score | 5/5 |
Total Reviews | 5/5 |
Score Consistency | 4/5 |
Accessibility | /5 |
→Location | 5/5 |
→Operating Hours | 4/5 |
→Wait List (A higher score means shorter waiting time) | 4/5 |
Range of Services | 5/5 |
Price | 5/5 |
Customer Service | 5/5 |
Pros
- Has over 18 bowling lanes
- Has kid-friendly facilities
- Good for birthday parties and other events for children
Cons
- Closes early
- Advanced booking is required for events
Namco Funscape at The Trafford Centre is a paradise for those seeking an action-packed day out. We like that they have 18 bowling lanes, over 100 arcade games, exhilarating dodgems, and an American pool table.
No doubt, this place ensures endless fun and entertainment for visitors of all ages!
This place is the best in our books when it comes to kid-friendliness. We’re happy to share that they show great consideration for children, providing ramps, lighter-weight balls, and bumpers to ensure a kid-friendly bowling experience.
With this in mind, we’re not surprised to learn that this is a favourite destination for birthday parties and other events for little ones. Just keep in mind to book in advance as it can get quite competitive to secure a slot.
Unfortunately, while this centre offers a fantastic array of activities, it closes early to follow the mall’s operating hours. This might be a bit of a downside for night owls looking for late-night bowling thrills.
Nevertheless, we like that they start their operations early.
When it comes to customer service, we heard nothing but positive things. According to our surveys, the staff members here are consistently friendly, knowledgeable and helpful — which is a recipe for a great bowling experience.