Acocks Green Bowl

I’ve been coming here for probably 15 years and it hasn’t changed at all. It does everything it needs to. There’s a bar, a café area and vending machines. A lane is only about £4.50 before 5 in the week and the evening prices aren’t much more. The staff are cheerful and the atmosphere is relaxed. I don’t know anything about bowling but for an occasional evening or afternoon out this is a solid choice.

Nice bowling alley in the heart of Acocks Green Village. There is parking available free. There are 20 lanes and a Bar area where drinks are reasonable priced… a round of 5 pints cost me about £15. Your guaranteed a good time at this bowling alley and is great to take kids/​family. There is a snack bar available and the screens are computerised with funny animations. I have been going to this alley since I was in school and I would recommend it to anyone. The atmosphere is energetic and fun. Laser tag is also available.

When I first stepped into here I felt like I’d stepped into America. There is just something so apple-​pie about bowling and the style of this bowling alley captures it. The décor outside and in, is in a bold graphic style. I know that they’ve refurbished the outside since the late eighties but it looks more retro/​old-​skool than it ever has done.
I’m inside. The dunk of the ball hitting polished wood, the slick sound of it rolling, the clatter of balls hitting pins, celebratory sounds from nearby lanes; the very sounds and acoustics of the place are attractive in themselves.
When I first got a Nintendo Wii I thought I’d never return here, or play bowling in areal alley again, but here I am and I’m glad of it. Apart from there being no risk of putting a window through with the remote control here, its a more all-​encompassing experience than any console in your home could give you. The weight of the ball, the lighting, it all feels good. Add to that some cheap eats and a beer and you’re in Homer-​Heaven!

I’ve had so many parties here; I feel like I’ve grown up with the place. For a great bowling experience, Acocks Green is definitely one of the best places to go. Okay it’s not sleek or modern, but it’s brilliant to have such a large collection of bowling lanes that aren’t cramped together in a small building. Does everything really have to be modern and updated anyway? Surely there’s still a love for old type buildings like these?
I hate it when you go bowling, and you can’t find the right weight ball that suitable for you. And then when you do find the right one, your fingers get stuck in the holes because they’re too small. You never have this problem at Acocks Green, because there’s always masses of balls to choose from on the shelves as well as at the lanes.
The café inside is great to grab a bite to eat. Again, it’s no modern cuisine, but the food is good, tasty and traditional, from the usual chips and chicken pieces and burgers. Most food items very rarely reach £5, so you can eat cheaply and then carry on with your game!

For me this is the traditional bowling experience as the place has retained much of its old school ten pin charm. The shoes are all fairly new and very clean. The equipment is modern and there is always plenty of bowling balls to pick from. There is a small but intimate adult bar that stocks most types of alcoholic drinks. There is also a very quaint old style canteen that serves hot and cold snack and amazing milkshakes.
It isn’t always a cheap encounter though so I would advise taking two games for £9.95 (£7.00 before 6pm, except Saturday and Sunday) or even getting a group together and having a lane by the hour £26.26 not Saturdays (£20.00 before 6pm, except Sundays.)
There is limited parking at the front of the site but more parking at the back. Even if this is full you should be able to find on-​street parking nearly. It is also on the 11 route which as us Brummies know pretty much goes everywhere!

The kids enjoy coming here and the prices arent too high. Worth remembering its cheaper on the weekdays before six though. They do cater for childrens parties and they are good value for money but you dont get no help with the children so make sure enough of the parents hang around to help but the kids get a game of bowling and a meal and an icecream so worth the money. I would say the food to me is a little overpriced and not fantastic but ok. The staff are helpful and if you need help with anything they will do their best. Generally we avoid weekends as well as being more expensive it tends to get very packed and we have been known to have had to wait up to an hour for a lane.