The Dallas-based Pinstack recently opened its first San Antonio location.
If your idea of a bowling alley is a smoky, beer-stained gallery of grandpas in bad polyester shirts, oh, my, how the times have changed.
Many modern bowling alleys boast video games, laser tag and even a full movie theater in some cases. And food options go far beyond basic burgers and hot dogs, with a wide range of pizzas, salads, appetizers and other fare to chase with craft beer and specialty cocktails.
For a fun night out, consider hitting the lanes at any of these six bowling alleys that go above and beyond with their food and entertainment options.
Bowl & Barrel is located at 17619 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 102.
Bowl & Barrel: This Dallas-based boutique bowling alley chain has been in business at The Rim since 2015. In addition to 15 lanes of bowling action, you’ll find a broad menu of deep-fried appetizers, pizzas, meatballs, and meat and cheese boards.
17619 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 102, 210-920-1102, bowlandbarrel.com, Facebook: @bowlandbarrelsa
Bowlero has three locations in San Antonio.
Bowlero: With three locations in San Antonio, this New York-based chain of bowling and entertainment centers is a perfect option for knocking down pins and filling your belly. The menu includes plenty of craft beers and cocktails in addition to pizza, burgers, wings and the Alley Sampler loaded with a little bit of everything the kitchen makes.
Three locations: 13307 San Pedro Ave., 210-496-3811; 4330 Thousand Oaks Blvd., 210-654-0031; 2118 Goliad Road, 210-333-6150; bowlero.com, Facebook: @BowleroSanAntonio
On ExpressNews.com: The best movie theaters in San Antonio
Downtown Social: If you’re looking for a fun night out in New Braunfels, Downtown Social is hard to beat. In addition to bowling, you’ll find pool tables, arcade games, shuffleboard, Skee-Ball and more. The menu boasts a wide range of pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and more.
386 W. San Antonio St. in New Braunfels, 830-214-6650, downtownsocialnb.com, Facebook: Downtown Social
The new EVO Entertainment center in Schertz has 16 bowling lanes.
EVO Entertainment: Bowling is just the beginning at this sprawling Austin-based entertainment complex that opened in Schertz in 2019. A movie theater, arcade games, virtual reality arena, and a menu that includes burgers, pizza, tacos and sandwiches are among the offerings.
18658 Interstate 35 in Schertz, 210-764-6986, evocinemas.com, Facebook: EVO Entertainment Schertz
Main Event: With a gravity rope course, laser tag arena, arcade games, pool tables and more, it’s easy to get distracted from the bowling lanes at this sensory-overload experience. The vast menu includes pizzas, burgers, salads and the massive Nacho Dinner that can easily feed a family.
Two locations: 8514 Texas 151, 210-521-8000; 1911 N. Loop 1604, 210-305-5999; mainevent.com, Facebook: @MyMainEvent
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The lanes at Bowl & Barrel.
A selection of chicken wings from Bowlero
The EVO Entertainment center in Schertz includes a movie theater and arcade games.
Pinstack: This Dallas-based chain recently opened its first San Antonio location, near North Star Mall. In addition to 28 bowling lanes, visitors will find bumper cars, a rock-climbing wall, arcade games and more. The menu includes burgers, pizzas, tacos and salads.
742 Northwest Loop 410, Suite 201, 726-999-2800, pinstackbowl.com, Facebook: @pinstackbowlsanantonio
pstephen@express-news.net | Twitter: @pjbites | Instagram: @pjstephen
Paul Stephen moved to San Antonio from North Carolina in 2017 to join the Express-News Taste team. In that time, he’s cooked through about 1,000 recipes, noshed at more than 200 restaurants and seriously considered getting a map of the city’s grocery stores tattooed on his arm for easy reference. He cannot be trusted around your cookbook collection.