Lin NormanNashville never runs out of fun things to do, whether it be with friends, family, or even on your own! An activity that perfectly embodies this is bowling, because let’s face it, it’s one of the few sports where fun is guaranteed even when you don’t know what you’re doing.
Take me, for example, I’ve never learned the rules of bowling, nor would I read about it now. All I know is that you have to hit as many pins as possible, yet I know all the fun bowling spots in Nashville, whether it’s an arcade or a legit bowling alley.
With the help of my team, I’ve fine-tuned my list and ended up with the ones worth spending your time and money on. So, lace up your bowling shoes and join us as we talk about our favourite bowling alleys that don’t fail to deliver a strikingly fun time!
Pinewood Social
– Media credit: pinewoodnashville
Address: 33 Peabody St.
Contact details: +1 615-751-8111
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost:
- Monday to Thursday:
- 90 Minutes: $67.50
- 2 hours: $180
- Friday to Sunday:
- 90 Minutes: $90
- 2 hours: $240
Pinewood Social is one of the liveliest hangout spots in Nashville, and its bowling alley is a huge reason for this. The place features six lanes, each accommodating up to eight guests and featuring a traditional 1950s-era design.
Although its neon-lit designs are preserved, the lanes are modernised with state-of-the-art technology that enables quick pin setting and ball return. Furthermore, we appreciate how booking a lane also makes patrons eligible for free shoes—but don’t be afraid to bring your own!
Bowling here is a treat as well because you can enjoy a wide array of cold drinks in between turns and homemade Western delights after your game. Their buffalo wings are the way to go if you’re visiting with friends, but if you’re flying solo, it’s hard not to recommend the smashburger.
Pro tip:
If you’re coming with large groups, more specifically, 16 people and above, be sure to book online in advance to lock in your slots.
Brooklyn Bowl
– Media credit: bbowlnashville
Address: 925 3rd Ave N
Contact details: +1 615-953-5450
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 5:00 PM until late
Cost:
- Monday to Thursday: $30/lane (30 minutes)
- Friday to Sunday: $35/lane (30 minutes)
Brooklyn Bowl is the ultimate entertainment spectacle, featuring live music, drag and stand-up comedy shows, and, of course, bowling! With this variety, you can listen to Nashville’s finest rock and roll music as you’re lining up your shots!
The bowling lanes themselves are total throwbacks, featuring neon lights and carnival pinstripes, but they play like what you’d expect in the modern age. You can also bring your beers and cocktails to the play area—just be sure you can still walk in straight lines!
Brooklyn Bowl is also worth visiting for its food alone, as it’s a full-service restaurant that offers Western mainstays such as chicken wings and burgers. If you’re visiting with a group, however, we recommend going for their French bread pizza.
Pro tip:
If you want to get buzzed and satisfy your sweet tooth at the same time, order their “Shakedown Street” milkshake, which is essentially a hazelnut spread shake with a Jack Daniel’s shot.
Eastside Bowl
– Media credit: eastsidebowl
Address: 1508A Gallatin Pike S
Contact details: +1 615-636-9093
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Friday: 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Cost:
- Retro and Hyperbowling: $35/hour
- Shoe rental: $3
Eastside Bowl brings back the golden age of bowling by offering 16 neon-lit lanes and retro-designed walls and carpets. The bowling balls also stand out because they look like numbered pool balls rather than your typical coloured ones.
Nonetheless, it offers the same modern fun and even introduces a more fast-paced game called “Hyperbowling”. This incorporates the lighting systems to make the experience feel more like a video game by giving specific tasks, such as hitting a specific colour, before knocking the pins.
It also features a retro diner/bar that offers a modern menu of flatbreads, chicken tenders, and big, meaty burgers. Of course, the experience wouldn’t be complete without cold drinks, and Eastside Bowl carries all of them, from draft beers to mocktails.
Pro tip:
Check out all their upcoming shows to time your bowling session with your favourite acts! One of their most famous shows is the Honky Tonk Tuesdays, which features amazing live music and comedy acts.
Tusculum Strike & Spare
– Media credit: hendryhindbowling
Address: 5315 Nolensville Pk
Contact details: +1 615-833-2881
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Cost:
- Hourly rates:
- Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM: $23.25
- Monday to Thursday, 5:00 PM until closed: $25.70
- Weekends: $31
- Open bowling rates:
- Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM: $4.95
- Monday to Thursday, 5:00 PM until closed: $5.50
- Weekends: $6.35
If you’re looking for a no-frills bowling experience that will let you hone your skills, then Tusculum Strike & Spare should be right up your alley. It doesn’t feature any fancy gimmicks and just offers good old bowling.
Meanwhile, you can try your hand at their cosmic bowling if you want to experience a more modern and fast-paced session. During these events, loud music will be thumping from the speakers, and fog, lasers, and disco lights will be pumped in.
Tusculum is also great for the entire family, as it offers special bumper assistance and lightweight bowling balls for kids and the elderly. Plus, the place serves a wide array of dishes for sharing, such as chips and salsa, chicken quesadillas, and pepperoni pizza!
Pro tip:
Don’t miss out on their spicy cowboy bites! These true Nashville staples, consisting of sweet corn kernels, bacon, jalapeno, and cream cheese, are perfect to munch on in between sets.
Nashville Underground
– Media credit: nashville_underground
Address: 105 Broadway
Contact details: +1 615-964-3000
Operating hours:
- Monday: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM
- Friday and Saturday: 10:00 AM to 3:00 AM
Cost: $15/game (10-pin and duckpin bowling)
Nashville Underground is one of those places that just know how to throw a Nashville party, with its bull-riding machine, rooftop dancing, and live music. It even offers two types of bowling, the first one being your traditional 10-pin regulation games, complete with different weighted balls.
These lanes are great for friendly competition, but if you’re looking for something more casual while chowing down on fantastic Nashville food, then duckpin bowling is perfect! Located on the first and 3rd floors, these lanes offer smaller pins and lighter balls—no bowling shoes required!
Bowling here is never dull, as well, because even if you’re waiting for your turn, the floors are dotted with large flat-screen TVs that show games. Also, with Mimi’s Menu, your taste buds will never be disappointed, whether it be the signature hot chicken sandwich or the giant pretzel!
Pro tip:
If you’re visiting with friends, we recommend their BBQ plate for sharing. Plus, they come with fries, Nashville coleslaw, and cowboy beans.
Pins Mechanical Co.
– Media credit: pinsmechco
Address: 1102 Grundy St.
Contact details: +1 615-610-7461
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 4:00 PM to 11:30 PM
- Thursday: 4:00 PM to 12:30 AM
- Friday: 4:00 PM to 2:30 AM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM to 2:30 AM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM to 12:30 AM
Cost:
- Monday to Thursday: $8
- Friday to Sunday: $9
Pins Mechanical Co. offers a casual bowling experience for those looking to wind down in the midst of the hustle and bustle. It offers duckpin bowling, so you can bring your kiddos—sometimes, the place even lets them bowl for free!
Each game is quick, and there are several lanes available, so you won’t have to wait too long to get your lane. It’s not like waiting here is a bad thing, as it also features pinball machines, an arcade, and a giant Jenga set.
Personally, the best part about bowling here is the cocktails you can have in your hand, as you’re striking down pins. We’re particularly fond of their celebrity-named concoctions like the Carrie Fisher, which is a tropical cocktail consisting of pineapples and coconuts.
Pro tip:
Take your kids (12 years and under) here on Sundays to let them bowl for free!
