Bowlmor

My friends and I are constantly looking for opportunities for fun activities close to home. What better way to spend an evening than with some old school bowling? White Plain Bowl has been replaced with bowling chain Bowlmor, and they are anything but old school.

We got there between 9 and 9:30 on a Saturday evening ( I was late, I swear I have no idea how this stuff happens) and waited until around 9:50. This wasn't great for those who were prompt and got there at 9, but it was better than expected. The staff behind the front desk takes your phone number and texts when a lane is open.  While you are waiting there is a lounge and arcade on the main floor and bars upstairs and down, with plenty of seating.

The bowling itself is exciting, with black lights, neon balls and pins, and huge TV screens at the ends of the lanes.  If you are looking for a night laughing over your gutterballs and jumping up and down at your strikes, all the while bopping about to the (LOUD) music supplied by the DJ ensconced in his booth, this place is great.  If you are somewhat serious about your bowling (as some of my friends can be), you might not appreciate all the distractions.  That coupled with numerous dry spots on the lanes, can make some ten-pinners very aggravated.

Bowlmor serves a full menu with apps, burgers, sandwiches, salads and desserts, as well as, has a full bar.  While I did not eat a meal, I did get the Crab and Artichoke dip and am happy to report it was very scrummy.  My friends split nachos that had a weird aftertaste to them and a Death by Bacon burger, which was so huge, it couldn't be finished.  That plus two pitchers of beer and two pitchers of soda came to a whopping $112. I know bowling alleys tend to hit you up, much like movie theaters, but that was crazy!

Another cool thing about Bowlmor is that when you get your lanes, you are basically starting a tab. They take your credit card to hold the lane and you play as many games as you want.  When you're done, you come back to the desk and can decided to pay using the card, or cash, or separate the check by person.  The only thing that would have made the processes even easier was if our food bill could have been taken care of at the same time. We had to wait for our server to get us the check and then come back with change/credit card recipes. Either he was busy or slow, because it took a while.

Now, the cost.  Bowlmor is definitely higher priced than your average bowling alley.  Two games, plus shoe rentals came to about $26 a person.  That in itself is not so bad but, coupled with the outrageous gouging from food and drinks makes Bowlmor a pretty expensive night.  I can see us returning as a once in the while event, but we simply cannot afford to be regulars.

The Girls

Bowlmor Lanes

47 Tarrytown Rd.

White Plains, NY 10607

(914) 948-2677

www.bowlmor.com/white-plains/