ABU DHABI’S BEST BOWLING ALLEYS The ridiculous (read stylish) footwear, the highly polished wood, the clink of pins and the heady scent of success and failure. If you love bowling as much as we do, check out one of these ten bowling alleys ABU DHABI COUNTRY CLUB With a bar and a la carte menu, the Country Club’s four-lane bowling alley is a step up from the average snacks and milkshakes experience. Inflate the balloons, too – they welcome birthday parties of all ages. And club membership isn’t required. Abu Dhabi Country Club, Al Saada Street, Al Mushriff, Abu Dhabi, daily 7am to 11pm, Dhs100 per hour, Dhs60 per half hour. Tel: (02) 6577777. adhfc.com AL AIN INTERNATIONAL BOWLING CENTRE They sure love their bowling in Al Ain, with several choices in the city’s relatively cosy confines. The International Bowling Centre has five lanes and is dirt cheap. Even better, the surrounding International Centre houses additional attractions from videogaming to restaurants and shisha. Al Ain International Bowling Centre, opposite Park Saleme, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, 8am to 2am, Dhs10. Tel: (03) 7630222. alainintlcentre.net AL JAZIRA BOWLING CENTRE Not only can you associate yourself with Abu Dhabi’s double-winning footy champions at Al Jazira, but these six lanes are exceptionally high-tech. Prices are mighty reasonable, too. And add in table tennis (three tables), darts (two boards) or pool (one table) and it’s an all-round winner. Al Jazira Sports Club, Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, 4pm to midnight, Dhs12 per hour. Tel: (02) 4454455. jc.ae BOWLING CITY A reliable ten-pin shaped fixture across the Emirates’ landscape, widespread chain Bowling City began life at this state-of-the-art Garden City branch. Planning a full day’s entertainment here couldn’t be easier, with 12 lanes, reasonably priced pool tables and karaoke, to boot. Al Ain Mall, Kuwait Area, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, 10am to midnight, Dhs12 per game. Tel: (03) 7510006. bowlingcity.com BOWLING CITY Swap the hustle of the capital’s bustling heart
for the crash of balls on pins at this downtown entertainment haven. As well as an above-average 18 lanes, videogame nuts will love the PlayStations, alongside plenty of shopping and guzzling options around Al Mariah Mall. Al Mariah Mall, Hamdan Street, Abu Dhabi, 10am to 1am, Dhs12 per game. Tel: (02) 6760444. bowling-city.com BOWLING CITY @ SPARKY’S The manic surrounds of Sparky’s house this 12-lane bowling centre, right next-door to a bevy of pool tables should you fancy a spot of between-frame potting. And Sparky’s borderline headache-inducing attractions – indoor rollercoaster and all – will help to banish any lurking boredom. Sparky’s, Khalidiyah Mall, 26th Street, Abu Dhabi, 10am to midnight, Dhs15. Tel: (02) 6354315. khalidiyahmall.com EMIRATES BOWLING VILLAGE Want to add status to your strikes? With four VIP lanes, Emirates Bowling Village is the solution. Timing is key if you’re on a budget, though. Take advantage of happy hour (Sun to Wed 10am to 5pm) for Dhs10 games on one of the 32 lanes. Night owls note that EBV has the latest opening hours in the city. Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Wed 10am to 1am, Thurs and Fri 10am to 3am, Dhs10 to Dhs20. Tel: (02) 6811185. ebv.ae KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL BOWLING CENTRE If the name wasn’t a dead giveaway then the bouldersized ball above the door should do it. These 40 huge lanes are home to several established bowling
leagues. And afterwards why not head upstairs to aptly named restaurant Noodle Bowl? Pun, we imagine, intended. Zayed Sports City, Airport Road, Abu Dhabi, 9am to 1am, Sun to Wed Dhs10, Thurs to Sat Dhs12. Tel: (02) 4034648. zsc.ae SUPER STRIKE Part of Bawadi Mall’s sprawling family entertainment centre, the garish surrounds of Fun City aren’t solely for ankle biters. Super Strike’s dozen lanes provide enough space to knock ‘em down for everyone from gutter ball-prone novices to maximum score-eyeing pros. Fun City, Bawadi Mall, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Thurs 10am to 11pm, Fri noon to 11pm, Dhs12 before noon, Dhs15 noon to 11pm. Tel: (03) 7840338. funcity.ae WANASA BOWLING CENTRE Wanasa’s grammatically challenged aim – ‘make the life always happy’ – is aided nicely by walletfriendly bowling on one of the six lanes and live sports coverage. If your fun can only begin once the children are occupied, however, simply dispatch the little blighters to Wanasa Land’s veritable kingdom of entertainment. Wanasa Land, Al Wahda Mall, Hazaa Bin Zayed Street, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Wed 10am to 10.30pm, Thurs to Sat 10am to 11.30pm, Dhs15. Tel: (02) 4437654 wanasaland.com
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