Ready to head out on a Bowling Date?
What’s your ideal date? Candlelit dinner? Picnic in the park? An adventurous hike through the mountains?
What if we told you that bowling can be just as fun and special as all of the above? That’s right!
We love bowling as a date idea. Whether it’s your first date or you’ve been married for years, bowling makes for the perfect date night out.
Why is Bowling a Great Date?
A better question is, why isn’t bowling a great date! There’s so many things to love about bowling:
It’s Fun
No matter how many times you go bowling, it’s always a good time.
Whether you’re a professional bowler or you’ve never been bowling in your entire life, everyone can have fun.
It’s Funny
Not only is bowling fun, but it can also be very funny.
And the more amateur you are, the funnier it is. The more mistakes you make, the more you’ll laugh.
And as we all know, laughter isn’t only good for the soul, it’s good for the date too!
It’s Affordable
You don’t have to spend a fortune to have a good time on this date! For less than $50, you can have a full night of fun at the bowling alley.
Plus, most bowling alleys serve food too, so you can eat and play at the same time!
It Gets the Competitive Juices Flowing
Whether it’s your first date or your 100th date, the bowling alley is a great spot to place a friendly wager.
It’s Casual
Unlike many dates, you don’t have to dress up for this one! Dress as comfortable and casual as you like.
You can get away with pretty much anything at the bowling alley.
Butt Views
Yes. You read that right. Bowling is a great excuse to check out your dates butt – without getting caught! lol all kidding aside, it’s a great idea for a date!
Is Bowling a Good First Date?
In case you haven’t already assumed, we think bowling is the perfect first date idea! Not only for all of the reasons above, but for an assortment of other reasons too!
Firstly, the bowling alley is a safe, laid-back environment where both you and your date can feel comfortable.
This is especially true if it’s your first time meeting each other.
When it comes to dating, we’re all about safety first. And this means meeting up in a public area until you get to know someone better.
The bowling area is a busy, public place where you and your date can meet up and feel safe and comfortable until you get to know each other more.
Secondly, bowling is a great way to take some of the pressure off of a first date.
Think about dinner and a movie.
Dinner can be a very awkward first date. What if you run out of things to talk about? What if there are awkward silences?
At the bowling alley, this awkwardness is removed because you are both distracted by the game and not worried about deep conversation.
You can save that for when you’re feeling more comfortable with one another.
And finally, bowling is a great way to get up close with your date without being creepy about it.
If they aren’t good at bowling, teach them by moving in close and putting your arms around them. Or maybe it’s you who need a helping hand?
Types of Bowling
Regular Bowling
This is your traditional type of bowling. There are 10 pins and one lane. Each person takes turns trying to knock down as many bowling pins as possible during their turns.
Player with the highest score at the end wins.
Glow-in-the-Dark Bowling
This is regular bowling with a twist! Everything here glows in the dark!
You play the same as regular bowling, except you get a fun psychedelic experience along with it.
If you are looking for something more unique for your date, glow in the dark bowling is a great option!
5 Pin Bowling
5 Pin bowling is similar to regular bowling except, you guessed it, it has only 5 pins instead of 10.
Most people find this game a little more difficult because the pins are spaced further apart and the bowling ball is smaller.
If you’re looking to up the ante and try something a little harder, 5 pin bowling is a good active date idea.
Lawn Bowling
Lawn bowling is an outdoor game that is most often played on a type of grass. It’s like a combination of bowling and bocce ball.
You roll the ball similar to that of bowling, but instead of trying to knock down pins, you try to get the ball close to a target like in bocce ball.
Other Things to Do at the Bowling Alley
Another thing that we love so much about bowling is that it’s rarely the only activity at the alley.
Many bowling alleys have other activities that you can do when you’re finished. Common attractions also found at the bowling alley include:
Mini Golf
Golf in mini style! Mini golf is all about putting. It often has 18 holes with a variety of obstacles to block your shot.
If you’re lucky, you might even find a glow-in-the-dark mini golf at your bowling alley!
Arcade
The arcade is another great place to take your date. Not only is it fun and offers some friendly competition, but it’s also a great place to win your date a prize.
Laser Tag
If you’re looking to do something a little more active after bowling, you could opt for a good ol’ game of laser tag.
Find out who has the better shot, and maybe even meet for a secret kiss behind the bags?
Escape Rooms
Escape rooms are often found in combination with bowling alleys and are great for activating the mind.
See how well the two of you work together when you’re trapped in a room and need to solve clues to find the way out!
As you can see, we’re big fans of bowling for a date idea! Whether it’s your first date together or your first date as a married couple, whether you’re 16 or 59, whether you’re active or more laid back – the bowling alley is a great date for everyone.
Heck, you can even make it a date for the whole family and bring the kids if you want!
Sara, a seasoned expert in wedding planning and date ideas, brings a wealth of experience to our couples blog. With a background in the television industry and hands-on involvement in a dozen weddings, including working as a wedding assistant on "My Fair Wedding with David Tutera," Sara has an innate understanding of the magic that makes weddings truly special. Growing up with four sisters has given her unique insights into the dating world, making her a go-to source for practical and heartfelt dating advice. Her knowledge and enthusiasm make her the perfect guide for couples seeking to infuse their relationships with creativity and love.