Strikes: The Best Little Bowling Alley in Philadelphia

Come out on a Friday or Saturday night. You'll find college students and young professionals all mixed in. The greatest appeal of Strikes Bowling Lounge is that it just about the bowling; there's ping-pong, pool, great music, and a small bar and restaurant staff waiting to serve you as you play. And best of all, it won't put too much of a dent in your budget.

Strikes is a good place for a lady's night out. I went there for the first time with a few friends and had a terrific time. Before bowling at Strikes, I'd thought all bowling alleys were the same - loud, dirty, and impersonal. What a great surprise this place turned out to be! Well, okay, it was loud, but the music they played over the thud-and-roll sounds of the bowling balls made up for it. Falling pins never sounded so beautiful amid the music they played that night. Can I admit that even I, as downright uptight as I know I can be, nearly busted a move on the lane in front of a crowd of strangers. All I could do to contain myself was thud and roll my ball down the middle, following the arrows for a chance at a spare.

Oh well. Maybe next time.

The automatic scoring machine records my nine pins on the screen above the lane. Also, in the seating area, there is a touch-type screen that shows everyone's scores. You can use this machine to call for lane service or, even more importantly, for brewski to satisfy your thirst from working up a sweat after giving out all those high-fives to your teammates. There are mixed drinks and non-alcoholic beverages available too and your average pub grub. I had fried cheese sticks and a cola. No complaints. But then again, people don't necessarily go out to a bowling alley for the food. If you're there and you happen to feel a pang in your stomach not resulting from hitting yourself with a bowling ball, it's there for the asking.

Though my friends and I came only to bowl, it's worth noting that Strikes also has a very active table sport area just opposite the desk where you get your bowling shoes. There were ten or fifteen people around the table tennis match going on while I was there. Perhaps the competition was pretty fierce that night. Have you seen the table tennis clip from the movie Forrest Gump? It can get rather intense. The pool table also got its fair share of action that night too.

That's the great thing about Strikes - it's more than just a place to bowl. It's also a good place to hang out. Go alone or with a few friends and you can meet great people and have a great time.
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Strikes Bowling Lounge
4040 Locust St. 215.387.BOWL
http://www.strikesbowlinglounge.com