Grand Central Bowl & Arcade is a funky kind of bowling alley, and you’ll realize that the moment you enter their premises. The lights are in warm tones to make the place seem more exciting, with a bonus addition of a disco ball!

Should you come in to go bowling, it’s $8 per person for each game and $5 for shoe rentals. You’re required to reserve before you come in, but it shouldn’t be too hard to find a free time slot, as they have long opening hours.

We do encourage you to double-check with them a few hours before you head out because there have been some instances of customers complaining that their reservations weren’t present in the alley’s system.

Other than bowling, you’re also free to enjoy the arcade. They’ve got classic games like basketball, Skee-Ball, and newer ones like Guitar Hero and Deal or No Deal.

If you wish to have a meal on your visit, they’ve got a pretty wide variety of options for both food and drinks. However, people have said that their food tends to be a hit or miss and is of inconsistent quality.

There were also a couple of customers who complained about bad service, especially when it came to food. They reported that the staff was unfriendly and not fully listening to their complaints.

All that said, we still do think they’re a great choice should you plan to go bowling, but maybe it’s better to eat before your visit.

Kingpins Family Entertainment Center is a good place to take your family out with you, especially with their multiple bowling lanes available and their arcade with over 50 games.

Their lanes are separated into two different areas: the main lanes and the TapHouse lanes. 

The main lanes have 32 lanes available and are a better fit for families, while the TapHouse lanes only have eight lanes and are strictly limited to those 21 and over.

The prices are by hour accommodating a maximum of six people in each lane. It’s much cheaper if you choose to visit on weekdays before 5 PM, as they charge higher for weekends and evenings.

They also have a bowling league and host occasional tournaments throughout the year. So if you’ve got a competitive side, then you can bring your friends along with you to compete!

However, do be prepared to wait a couple of minutes before you get to start bowling, even if you already have a prior reservation. It takes them quite some time to prepare each lane, which leads to delays.

The food is also pretty subpar, and it’s more of pub grub rather than food good for a full meal. They’re not known for their food either, so it’s better to eat someplace else.

Their saving grace is their bar and drinks, and they even have beers on tap. Many of their customers enjoy their happy hour, but this is only limited to their TapHouse and not in their family-friendly areas.

Punch Bowl Social is your go-to if you’re looking for a night of fun with your friends. While they do welcome all ages until 10 PM, it’s still mostly a spot for those 21 and over.

They’ve got lots of happy hour options and offer a decent range of food. There are lots of shareable options and even punch that’s great to be shared with a group.

But we don’t think you should expect too much from their food, as it’s mostly bar food and light snacks to keep you satiated during your visit. Service tends to be slow for both food and drinks, so it’s best to keep yourself entertained.

If you wish to play bowling, it’s on a first-come, first-served basis, and they only have eight bowling lanes. They don’t entertain reservations unless you’re reserving for a private event.

They do have lots of other entertainment options like karaoke and other table games, but if you exclusively seek bowling, it’s better to come in early during weekdays.

Given the range of their entertainment options, their bowling lanes and balls aren’t as well-maintained or sanitized as frequently, so we suggest that you bring your own sanitizers.

It’s also pricier than other bowling alleys on this list, with prices starting at $14 an hour per person before 3 PM. After 3 PM, the prices are $16 per person.

Overall, we think Punch Bowl Social is a fun place to go out with your friends, but if it’s exclusively bowling that you’re looking for, other options on this list will be a better choice.

Tigard Bowl is a no-frills bowling alley that’s not only perfect for families taking kids with them but also serious bowlers who want to participate in leagues.

There are no other entertainment options like other bowling alleys on this list, but that’s because Tigard Bowl takes the maintenance of its bowling lanes and balls seriously.

Their bowling balls are always waxed, and their lanes are oiled regularly. It’s great for those looking to join their leagues, which occur on Saturday through Thursday nights.

You can also buy bowling equipment from them, but you have to set an appointment for this. If you’re someone who goes bowling frequently, it’s a good option to have your own pair of bowling shoes.

The food is pretty unremarkable, but that doesn’t mean to say it’s bad. They serve traditional American favorites like pizza, pretzels, and sandwiches that are good enough for families with kids to enjoy.

What we like best about them are their low rates. They start at $3.75 per person per game on weekdays before 4 PM, and it’s $4.75 for weekdays after 4 PM, Sundays, and Saturdays before 6 PM. 

Not only that, shoe rental is only $3.50 per person!

However, they are a bit smaller than other bowling alleys on this list, and they can get busy if it’s a weekend, a holiday, or if there are leagues playing. 

So if you plan to visit Tigard Bowl, we suggest that you call up and make a reservation to secure your spot.

It might be out of the city, but Big Al’s has remained a family favorite for a reason. They’ve got 42 bowling lanes and over 150+ player options for kids in the arcade.

They have two kinds of lanes: the powerhouse lanes and the slider alley lanes. The powerhouse lanes are your classic bowling lanes, whereas the slider alley lanes have a VIP lounge complete with couches and ambient lighting.

Their rates are affordable as well, starting at $5 per person per game on weekdays before 5 PM. Evenings are at $6, excluding Fridays and weekends, which are at $7 per person.

The price difference between their powerhouse lanes and slider alley lanes is just a dollar for each price point, which we find reasonable. However, all their lanes are on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Considering the number of lanes available, it shouldn’t be a problem to get a free lane, but some customers have reported that they’ve arrived to find multiple lanes broken or under maintenance.

This isn’t an isolated incident either, so we suggest that you call them up before you get on your way to ensure they have free lanes available.

If you plan to eat on your visit, they have a wide range of options for both food and drinks and even have beer on tap. But we’ve heard from customers that the food is of inconsistent quality, some claiming that the food they had wasn’t good at all.

But if all you’re looking for is a good time bowling and playing arcade games, then they’re a good choice.