Bowlplex

In terms of bowling, which I suppose is exactly the service promised up here, Bowlplex isn’t exactly my top tip on a bowling place in or near Cardiff. It does the trick, and it’s got a decent number of lanes, everything’s just a bit clunky, that’s all. It’s quite rare on the occasions I have been there for everything to run smoothly the whole way through. It is almost inevitable that something will go wrong on the lane and someone will have to come over and you’re all embarrassed because you look like an angry customer and you’re not it’s just that you’d like to play a little game of bowling. Ah, the social perils of a trip to the bowling lanes. In Bowlplex they also have a café that does burgers and chips and stuff, a bar area, and a decent number of arcade games. It’s not that bad a bowling place, you just have to be prepared for pressing the button that calls over the man a few times throughout your game.

Part of the complex in Nantgarw which has a sort of American out-​of-​town shopping feel. I’m forced to take children here when bowling is on the agenda. I like bowling per se but am not a big fan of these bowling places. The one down in the Red Dragon Centre feels more sane but this one is a lot closer and easier to park. It’s very noisy (am I just a grumpy old woman?) and the refreshments over-​priced and unappetising. The kids, however, don’t seem to notice any of this and believe, as I emerge with a throbbing headache, that it’s been a jolly good day out. Obviously they don’t use the word ‘jolly’.

Bowlplex is a bowling venue found in Nantgarw just outside the town of Caerphilly.
With many lanes to bowl in and various sizes/​weights of bowling balls to choose from, this is a great location for the whole family to have a fun day out. Whether it’s a kid’s party you’re organising or a evening with friends to pass the time, Bowlplex is the ideal place to kill boredom, have a laugh or exercise your competitive side.
In addition to the obvious bowling facilities, there are numerous pool tables for hire and a generously equipped arcade area that boasts the latest games machines to enjoy.
While the bowling facilities are impressive, the real reason I used to regularly attend this venue is for the bar area. When I was in my latter years of comprehensive school, the Bowlplex was the place to go on a Friday for a night out. If you were between the age of 16 – 18 in Caerphilly or the surrounding area, you’d be in Bowlplex on a Friday night. It was a great place to socialise as everybody knew everyone and an even better place to have a sly drink on the weekend with your mates. Although they clamped down on the underage drinking there soon after, and most people largely outgrew the place by the time they could legally go to Cardiff for a night out, there were some memorable nights had at Bowlplex.
All in all, this is a great venue to pass the time if you’re looking for a good day/​night out without hitting the pub/​club scene. The facilities on offer here will surely keep you entertained, and with a surrounding area that includes a cinema, Frankie and Benny’s and a Nando’s, it’s in the ideal location to make the most of a evening.

I think this is one of those places that really depends on the time you go. Its family orientated enough, but its also quite geared up to be an adults entertainment venue with a big bar area, loud music and a few too many drunks on an evening.
I am a total fan of bowling and this hasn’t been one of my favourite experiences, mainly because our balls kept getting stuck and the burger I ate tasted like cardboard. Its also not the cheapest of bowling venues.
Its defiantly a better place to go in the day. But I’d rather going to Hollywood personally, which is less loud and irritating.

This bowlplex is next door to the Showcase cinema in Nantgarw. There is a big car park but it gets very busy in the evening. Inside, there are lots of bowling alleys and also a pool pit, which you pay a set amount to enter and play. The staff are friendly enough. There is a bar serving alcohol and food is also served– burgers/​hotdogs etc. There are discounts available for students and also for purchasing more than one game of bowling.