Bowling is one of those activities with wide appeal. Kids relish tossing balls down bumper-lined lanes during birthday celebrations, groups of friends catch up over brews and a few games on a weekend evening and those with a more competitive streak join leagues. If you’ve missed the strikes, spares and even the shoes involved with the whole bowling experience, head to one of these five NOVA alleys making the game fun and safe.
Bowlero
The NoVA locations of the upscale bowling chain (Annandale, Leesburg and Centreville) have reopened with new rules including increased sanitization of balls, shoes, arcade games and kiosks and hand sanitizer for guests. There is a maximum of six bowlers per lane, no ball sharing between guests and some furniture has been removed to allow for social distancing. Locations are open on a modified schedule so call or check the website before venturing out, and you can reserve a lane online to snag a spot. // Multiple locations
Bowl America
The company that has welcomed friends, family and groups for the past 60 years is once again opening its doors at locations in Manassas, Chantilly, Sterling, Fairfax, Falls Church, Alexandria and Woodbridge. Staff has implemented an enhanced cleaning schedule focusing on key touch points including restrooms, seats and all bowling equipment; masks are required for employees and guests. Check the website for pricing, hours and promotions including late night all-you-can-bowl and reduced pricing on Thrifty Sunday Nights. // Multiple locations
Uptown Alley
The Manassas facility boasts 24 high-tech, regulation bowling lanes as well as Skee Ball, arcade games, two-story laser tag and billiards. Visible floor markings and spread out tables and chairs allow for social distancing, masks are required, large parties wishing to be seated together must be part of a family group, only alternate lanes are used and equipment for all games and attractions is fastidiously and regularly cleaned. You can also skip the line and reserve a bowling lane online. // 8300 Sudley Rd Suite A06, Manassas, uptownalleymanassas.com
The Zone
In addition to HTC Vive Virtual Reality Gaming, a multi-level Mayan jungle-themed Laser Tag course and 40-game arcade, the Ashburn restaurant, bar and entertainment facility has a private four-lane boutique bowling alley with a cosmic bowling theme; you can reserve a single lane or book the entire alley for your group. Seating areas include a spacious patio with umbrellas for sunny days and fire pits and heaters on chilly evenings. // 43811 Central Station Drive, Suite 100, Ashburn
AMF Dale City
The Woodbridge location of the bowling chain is open with the same COVID-19 protocols as Bowlero, since both concepts fall under the same parent company. Thirty-two lanes are joined by an arcade onsite pro shop, sports bar with flat screen TVs and craft beers and lounge area. There is unlimited bowling and arcade specials every Monday Mayhem and Sunday Funday. // 4304 Dale Boulevard, Woodbridge
For more stories like this, subscribe to our Things to Do newsletter.
