The 12 Best Bowling Alleys in Toronto [2024]

  • Last updated: November 15, 2023

We conduct thorough testing and research on all the services that we review. We are based in Toronto and here is why you can rely on our reviews.

From trendy spots to retro venues, we’ve got you covered. We chose the best bowling alleys based on a number of factors including lane quality, pricing, atmosphere, and food and drink options. So whether you’re planning a night out with friends or a family outing, you’ll be able to find a bowling spot that suits you!

Summary

What's the Average Cost of Bowling in Toronto?

The cost of bowling in Toronto will vary depending on the location, day of the week, and time of day. Most alleys charge by the hour or by the game. Hourly rates are typically between $15 and $35 per lane, while games range from $5 to $10 per person. Discounts are often available for students, seniors, and children.

Some other costs to consider include the price of renting bowling shoes ($3-$5) and purchasing food and drinks from the concession stand.

The Top Bowling Alleys in Toronto

Now that you know the average cost of bowling in Toronto, it’s time to start planning your next game night! To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the city’s best bowling alleys.

1. Danforth Bowl

Step back in time and unwind at Danforth Bowl, a delightful bowling alley with a distinctive retro charm. This close-knit, welcoming venue makes not only the perfect setting for a laid-back, low-tech bowling outing but also an excellent location to consider for your upcoming social gathering. Relish in the endearing old-school thrill of keeping score manually and resetting the pins yourself.

Business Information:

Website: danforthbowl.com
Email: bowlinglady@sympatico.ca
Telephone :+14164633000
Address: 1554 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J 1N4, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ Love this place, it feels like a 2nd home whenever I visit. Came for my birthday party recently and everybody was so kind and generous - they even offered me a cupcake. so sweet! My friends and I always have a good time here, highly recommended, Danforth bowl forever!! “
“An awesome spot for five-pin bowling - walking down the stairs is like entering a portal to a different world (a world where they really love wood panelling). We celebrated a birthday there and the team took great care of us. The lanes are manual scoring and manual reset, which only adds to the old-school ambiance. Drinks are good value and the music is perfect. It might be the most wholesome good time you can have in Toronto.”

Pros

  • Intimate atmosphere
  • Great old school vibes
  • Great spot for five-pin bowling

Cons

  • Reservations required
  • They only accept cash for the shoe rentals

2. Playtime Bowl & Entertainment

Playtime Bowl & Entertainment is a vibrant utopia that enthrals both the young and the young at heart. This playground of colourful amusements offers a diversified selection of fun activities—engage in a friendly bowling contest, wrack up high scores in the captivating arcade games or dive into an electrifying match of laser tag.

Business Information:

Website: playtimebowl.com
Email: strike@playtimebowl.com
Telephone: +14167874533
Address: 33 Samor Rd, North York, ON M6A 1J2, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ Outstanding place to play, bowling and arcade games for friends and family, attended a birthday get-together for a 14 yr old. The service staff I encountered were extremely professional and were perfect ambassadors exhibiting the best of this organization. In particular Anastasia, who was our hostess, was very helpful and knowledgeable in her role as well as displayed a level of emotional intelligence in her interactions that spoke to her personality.The laser tag was an exciting and interactive experience. I would recommend this location for your function. “
“It was my first visit to the bowling place in the GTA area, surprisingly this place was more than just bowling. You can have many video games, board games and laser tag too. The staff is also super friendly. A lot of parking space. Clean washroom. Drinks and foods are also available. The only thing I find uncomfortable is bowls of bowling. Some of them are too heavy with large holes and some are good in weight but holes are too small for a medium guy thump.”

Pros

  • They have also space for kids bday party, arcade and laser tag room
  • They have 2 rooms and around 35 lanes in total
  • Nice bar area for basic food and drinks

Cons

  • Some customers complain about the slow service

3. Bowlerama Rexdale

Bowlerama Rexdale is your ultimate choice for hosting a stylish soirée. The highlight of the venue is the Cosmic Bowling sessions, where typical bowling alleys are transformed into a dynamic party scene. Bathed in the glow of black light and pulsed with top-charting music, it’s an exhilarating exchange between a pulsating nightclub and a high-energy bowling space. 

Business Information:

Website: bowlerama.com
Email: rexdale@bowlerama.com
Telephone: +14167438388
Address: 115 Rexdale Blvd, Etobicoke, ON M9W 1P1, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ Small and Simple take it for that. Took the kids for the first time. Place was very very clean and as per usual staff were incredibly helpful. Starting to think it may be because a lot of places we go are 5 stars! Staff got us setup for kids 5 pin and setup for scoring and we were ready to bowl. Kids were done after one game I think lifting the balls wore them out. Didn't try the food that will be for next time. But if you like simple small and personal this is your place to bowl. “

Pros

  • Workers frequently cleaning and sanitizing the area
  • Generally not too crowded
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Small bowling alley
  • Food can be better

4. The Ballroom

Step into The Ballroom for a unique blend of bowling and style. This boulevard of entertainment features nine bowling lanes, live music concerts, over 55 state-of-the-art flatscreen televisions—and it all revolves around a high-capacity venue that perfectly accommodates a casual night out with friends, as well as large-scale social functions.

Business Information:

Website: theballroom.ca
Email: bowling@theballroom.ca
Telephone: +14372391515
Address: 145 John St, Toronto, ON M5V 2E4, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ Love this place! Came here with my friends and I actually felt like our safety was priority to the staff that work here. There was some people that started bothering us and security took care of it a professional manner. The staff and management were very helpful and friendly as well. Highly recommend this place! “

Pros

  • Great menu
  • Convenient downtown location
  • Also have a patio

Cons

  • A minimum spending is required if you are booking a lane

5. Shamrock Bowl and Restobar

Discover the memorable alliance between bowling and fine dining at Shamrock Bowl and Restobar, located in an historic 5-pin alleyway. Relish the delicious food menu while basking in a retro ambiance enhanced by the comfort of well-fitted shoes. Its family-friendly vibes make Shamrock a hidden gem nestled within the heart of Toronto.

Business Information:

Website: shamrockbowlandrestobar.com
Email: contact@shamrockbowlandrestobar.com
Telephone: +16479206502
Address: 280 Coxwell Ave, Toronto, ON M4L 3B6, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ Amazing bowling place! Great vibe! We went here for a bday celebration with a group of friends, it’s our first time to play the 5 pin bowling, and the staffs were very welcoming and patiently explained the rule to us 🙂 so glad we came here for the celebration “

Pros

  • Retro bowling setting
  • No gimmicks
  • Great place for 5-pin bowling

Cons

  • Closed Mondays & Tuesdays

6. Parkway Bowl

Parkway Bowl is the go-to place to secure a fun-filled outing topped with bumper bowling and exhilarating glow-in-the-dark bowling sessions. The top-tier sound system adds to the merriment while the ample seating arrangement proves ideal when hosting large groups, promising an experience that both the bowling purists and casual fans will appreciate.

Business Information:

Website: parkway-bowl.com
Email: info@parkway-bowl.com
Telephone: +14164471761
Address: 67 Ellesmere Rd, Scarborough, ON M1R 4B7, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ Strike! We rolled in and we quickly got lane 8 for 5 pin. Yes. There were league games in 10 pin lanes. Very nice staff & atmosphere. Cost under $40 for 3 pairs shoes, 2 soft drinks and 2 games. Plus there's a McD's playland and a library in the Parkway Mall, very cheap day for us. Thank you. We'll strike back. “

Pros

  • Long operating hours
  • Friendly staff
  • Retro vibes

Cons

  • Inconsistent hours

7. Kennedy Bowl

Kennedy Bowl, standing tall for more than six decades, is the host to unforgettable bowling events in Toronto. Regular technological updates combined with an outstanding staff who go the extra mile ensure every visit is teeming with positive energy.

Business Information:

Website: kennedybowl.com
Email: bowl@kennedybowl.com
Telephone: +14167596181
Address: 2300 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1P 2R2, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ Great place. Standard bowling alley as you would expect. Rental shoes were clean and well taken care of, the lanes and all that were well maintained. The food and drinks all looked great and prices were very fair.What really impressed me was how much the people working there cared about their job. All so helpful and all seemed to genuinely care that people had fun. They also took the Covid protocols seriously which we really appreciated. “

Pros

  • Open everyday
  • Cheaper if you come before 5
  • Glow-in-the-dark bowling available

Cons

  • A few complaints about their customer service

8. North Park Bowl

North Park Bowl strikes the right chord with bowling enthusiasts by serving an excellent bowling experience across numerous lanes, set within a well-structured and pleasing environment. It’s the ideal destination for individuals or groups who seek memorable bowling experiences, each visit offering something new and fun to anticipate!

Business Information:

Website: north-park-bowl.business.site
Telephone: +14168351664
Address: 1359 Lawrence Ave W, North York, ON M6L 1A4, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ It was wonderful, this place took me back in time,I love it. Thank you for your hospitality “

Pros

  • Affordable prices
  • Shoe rental is included in the price

Cons

  • Inconsistent hours

9. West Toronto Lawn Bowling Club

At West Toronto Lawn Bowling Club, leisure meets exercise in a harmonious blend. Perfect your outdoor bowling skills in their occasional jitney-style games under the open sky, or take a breather in the elegantly furnished clubhouse. It’s a place that guarantees maximum satisfaction while you engage in a healthy challenge!

Business Information:

Website: torontolawnbowling.ca
Email: westtorontobowls@gmail.com 
Address: Keele St, Toronto, ON, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ Great place to enjoy a summer evening once or twice a week, stretch your legs and arms and socialize with friendly people. Best thing is, there's no commitment. If you can't make it one night, no worries. Random teams are created before games with those in attendance. “

Pros

  • Great place to host events
  • Staff will show you how to bowl if you’re new

Cons

  • Hours not posted

10. Leaside Lawn Bowling Club

Photo Credit: Leaside Lawn Bowling Club

The Leaside Lawn Bowling Club invites you to its sprawling 16-rink green estate with welcoming arms. Renowned for the vibrant and supportive community spirit it fosters amongst both rookie and veteran lawn bowlers, the club stands as a noteworthy hotspot in the bowling scene.

Business Information:

Website: leasidebowls.ca
Email: communications@leasidebowls.ca
Telephone: +14164831418
Address: 190 Hanna Rd, Toronto, ON M4G 4G8, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ What a fun group. Had a group lawn bowling excursion here. So much fun. “

Pros

  • Unique bowling experience
  • Great place for people of all ages

Cons

  • Hours not posted

11. C4 Centre Inc

C4 Centre Inc embodies the aretha of classical bowling charm. Here, you can experience the almost spiritual satisfaction of classic free-fall pins set in an unforgettable 5-pin bowling ambiance. A place that seamlessly fuses vintage vibes with contemporary excitement, it’s a paradise for any bowling lover.

Business Information:

Website: bowlcanada.ca
Email: c4centre@bell.net
Telephone: +14162614216
Address: 2644A Eglinton Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1K 2S3, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ Bowled here for my rep league this month and I have to say, what an amazing and eventful place! Very friendly staff, love the retro bowling including the free fall pins. Will definitely be running back next season. Best bowling alley in Toronto period. No debates. “

Pros

  • Lots amenities
  • Have bowling leagues
  • Old school vibes

Cons

  • The equipment is a bit out dated

12. Planet Bowl

For those with a passion for the game, Planet Bowl is undeniably a home ground. Equipped with top-notch amenities, a lip-smacking food menu, and an inviting atmosphere for the entire family, it uniquely compiles all the ingredients for an exciting, unforgettable journey into the world of bowling. 

Business Information:

Website: planetbowl.ca
Email:  info@planetbowl.ca
Telephone: (416) 695-2695
Address: 5555 Eglinton Ave W, Etobicoke, ON M9C 5M1

Customer Review Highlight:

“I have always enjoyed this place. Been with friends and family and have always had a good time. They have decent food and alcohol options. Almost 50 lanes. The only bummer is that you have to always wait as they tend to be very busy (although the place is huge).”

Pros

  • Very nice and clean facilities
  • Perfect for families
  • 45 lanes

Cons

  • Can get very crowded on Fridays and weekends

FAQs About Bowling Alleys

The best time to bowl in Toronto is during off-peak hours. Weekdays are typically cheaper than weekends, and daytime rates are usually cheaper than evening rates. Many bowling alleys offer discounts during happy hour, so be sure to ask about specials before you book.
The weight of the bowling ball is not as important for beginners as it is for experienced bowlers. A good rule of thumb is to choose a ball that you can comfortably lift. Most bowling balls weigh between 10 and 16 pounds.
Yes, most bowling alleys require players to wear bowling shoes. These shoes are designed to provide traction and support while you bowl. You can usually rent bowling shoes at the alley for a small fee.
Cosmic Bowling is a type of bowling that takes place in a darkened room with laser lights and club-like music. This unique experience is perfect for birthday parties, group events, and night owls!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re seeking a lively atmosphere with live music or aiming for strikes and spares in a competition against family, there’s a bowling alley for everyone to enjoy!

So, gather your friends and family, lace up those bowling shoes, and experience the thrill and excitement of these top 12 bowling alleys!

And if you like this article and are looking for more of the best activities to do in Toronto, be sure to check out our pieces on:

The Best Summer Hockey Arenas in Toronto
The Best Martial Arts Gyms in Toronto
The Best Indoor Playgrounds in Toronto
The Best Boxing Gyms in Toronto
The Best Roller Skating Locations in Toronto

Malaak Hamadeh

Malaak Hamadeh

Meet Malaak Hamadeh, a Middle Eastern resident of Toronto with a passion for writing! Learn More About Malaak Hamadeh

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