Dubai
Dubai Bowling Centre
If you fancy escaping the heat while knocking down some pins then head here. Kids and adults can bowl while giant projectors play old movies. Afterwards they can try some free-jumping, dodgeball, aerobics and basketball. Plus, there’s an e-gaming zone and old school favourites like billiards and table tennis.
Prices vary. Sun-Wed noon-1am; Thu-Sat noon-2am. Al Quoz 1 (04 339 1010).
Dubai International Bowling Centre
Not to be confused with the above (yes, there really is a lack of imagination in the name game). Thankfully, it’s one of the biggest and cheapest, and thus best, in Dubai. There are 36 lanes, tournaments and bowling until 1am. Although with games this cheap, you’ll all no doubt be tired out well before the early hours.
From Dhs15 (pp, pg). Open daily 9am-1am. Al Mamzar (04 296 9222).
Switch Bowling
Visit Ibn Battuta Mall and play at one of the UAE’s most modern alleys. There are 12 lanes, high tech sound and light systems and plenty of deals. There’s a karaoke room, Playstation corner, pool and arcades to keep the little ones happy, plus a coffee shop for Mum and Dad.
Dhs30 (pp, pg). Sat-Wed 10am-midnight; Thu-Fri 10am-1am. Ibn Battuta Mall, Jebel Ali (04 440 5961).
Wavehouse
This family fun factory at Atlantis The Palm has four lanes, which can all have the barriers put up for dad when he’s cross. Not only that, but once you’re finished, you can switch to the arcade and gaming centre. There’s everything from retro arcade games like PAC-MAN to state-of-the-art virtual reality consoles, PlayStation zone to extreme air hockey and more. Plus, you can collect tickets to exchange for prizes. There’s also a great kids’ food menu and Surf’s Up wave machine.
Dhs60 (pp, pg). Open daily noon-1am. The Avenues, Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah (04 426 1166).
Yalla! Bowling
With 12 state-of-the-art bowling alleys, kids can challenge friends and family to see who will be crowned king or queen of the lanes. Yalla! Bowling can be found inside Magic Planet UAE at Mall of the Emirates and City Centre Mirdif. Once finished, there are plenty of arcade games to play on afterwards and continue the contest. It’s also great for birthdays.
From Dhs30 (pp, pg). Opening times vary. Two locations including Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha, & City Centre Mirdif, magicplanetmena.com.
Abu Dhabi
Emirates Bowling Village
Found in Marina Mall on the Corniche breakwater in Abu Dhabi, this fun bowling alley is always welcoming. Friday evenings are particularly fun, when the bowling disco kicks off from 7pm onwards and you can launch your bowling to the beat of some brilliant tunes. The venue’s bowling birthday parties come with music, games, light shows and great food, or if you don’t fancy going home after your bowling game you can stick around and blast out a song on the karaoke, play table tennis or test your skills on the arcade games.
From Dhs15 (pp, pg). Daily 10am-1am. Marina Mall, Corniche Road (02 681 1185).
Khalifa International Bowling Centre
As the UAE’s national bowling centre, this huge bowling alley at Zayed Sports City has 40 lanes. It’s used by the national team and it’s even hosted the World Bowling Championship before, so the facilities are excellent. Families are always welcome, with individual games available for Dhs16 per person, and lanes to rent for Dhs116 per hour. There’s also ping pong tables and arcade games to play on, while super Cantonese restaurant Noodle Bowl is found just above the lanes.
Dhs16 (pp, pg). Daily 9am-1am. Zayed Sports City (02 403 4200).
