Did you know that over 67 million people go bowling each year in the United States? Thatโs more than the entire population of the UK! I was floored when I first heard that stat. But hey, as someone whoโs spent way too many nights trying to avoid gutter balls, I get it. Thereโs something magical about those polished lanes and the satisfying crash of pins.
Now, imagine stepping into a bowling alley thatโs been around since before your great-grandparents were born. Pretty wild, right? Thatโs exactly what Iโve been exploring โ the oldest bowling alleys in America that are still kickinโ and open for business. Iโve had the pleasure of visiting some of these historic lanes, and Iโm planning trips to see the rest. Let me take you on a journey through time and across America to these ten bowling treasures.
1. Holler House, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Year established: 1908
Let me tell you about Holler House. This place is the real deal, friends. Itโs not just old; itโs certified by the United States Bowling Congress as the oldest sanctioned bowling alley in the United States. Howโs that for bragging rights?
I had the chance to visit Holler House last year, and let me tell you, it was like stepping back in time. Two lanes, manual pinsetting, and an atmosphere thatโs pure early 20th century. The sound of wooden pins clattering, the smell of decades of historyโฆ it was intoxicating.
Holler House in Milwaukee, Wisconsin โ A historic bowling alley operating since 1908
But hereโs the kicker โ Holler House isnโt just about bowling. Oh no, itโs got a reputation for something else entirely. Bras. Yep, you heard me right. Thereโs a tradition where women leave their bras hanging from the ceiling. Donโt ask me how it started, but itโs a sight to behold. I nearly choked on my beer when I first noticed them!
If youโre ever in Milwaukee, do yourself a favor and stop by Holler House. Just remember to bring cash โ they donโt do credit cards here. Itโs old school all the way, baby!
And hey, if you want to see what bowling looks like on these ancient lanes, check out this video of famous PBA player Parker Bohn III bowling at Holler House. Itโs like watching history in motion!
2. Roseland Cottage, Woodstock, Connecticut
Year established: 1846
Alright, history buffs, this oneโs on my bucket list. Roseland Cottage isnโt just a bowling alley; itโs a time capsule. Built in 1846, this place predates the Civil War. Let that sink in for a moment.
Now, Iโve got to be honest with you โ I havenโt had the chance to visit Roseland Cottage yet, but itโs at the top of my list for my next East Coast trip. From what Iโve researched, itโs got a single lane, and itโs as bare-bones as it gets. No fancy electronic scorekeeping here, folks. Itโs just you, the balls, and the pins.
I canโt wait to see it in person and try to imagine what it must have been like to bowl here in the 1800s. Were they wearing those fancy suits and dresses? How did they keep score? And most importantly, did they have beer? These are the questions that keep me up at night, people.
While you canโt actually bowl here anymore (trust me, Iโve already tried to charm my way into a future game), itโs absolutely worth a visit. Itโs like stepping into a bowling time machine. Just donโt forget to check out the rest of the house โ Iโve heard itโs pretty darn cool too!
3. Bowling Green, White House, Washington D.C.
Year established: ื1947 (but with a twist!)
Okay, I know what youโre thinking. โ1947? Thatโs not that old!โ But hear me out, because this oneโs got a presidential twist thatโll knock your socks off.
The current bowling alley in the White House was indeed built in 1947, under the Truman administration. But hereโs the kicker โ thereโs been a bowling alley in the White House since 1830! Thatโs right, Andrew Jackson had one installed in the East Wing. Talk about an executive order I can get behind!
Now, Iโve never actually bowled here (turns out theyโre pretty picky about who they let into the White House), and to be honest, I donโt think Iโll ever get the chance. But itโs on my dream list, for sure. Iโve heard stories about presidents bowling here. Apparently, Nixon was quite the bowler. And Clinton? Letโs just say he shouldโve stuck to saxophone.
The current alley is in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, and itโs a single lane of pure presidential power. Itโs been renovated a few times over the years, but it still maintains that classic White House charm.
I canโt help but imagine what it must be like to bowl there. Do they have special presidential bowling shoes? Is there a secret service agent standing by to pick up your spare? These are the burning questions, friends!
While you probably wonโt get to bowl here unless you become president (hey, stranger things have happened), itโs still pretty cool to know that our nationโs leaders have been knocking down pins for almost two centuries. Who knows, maybe the key to world peace is hidden in that 7-10 split!
If youโre curious to see what the White House bowling alley looks like, check out this video that offers a rare glimpse of the presidential lanes. It really showcases the uniqueness of the place and the magic of bowling in the presidential residence.
4. Mahallโs 20 Lanes, Lakewood, Ohio
Year established: 1924
Letโs talk about Mahallโs. This place is like the cool grandpa of bowling alleys โ old school charm with a hipster twist. Established in 1924, Mahallโs has been serving up strikes, spares, and good times for nearly a century.
I had the pleasure of visiting Mahallโs last summer, and let me tell you, it was a trip! I walked in expecting your typical old bowling alley, and boy, was I in for a surprise! This place is a perfect blend of vintage vibes and modern cool. Itโs like someone took a 1920s bowling alley and injected it with a dose of indie rock.
Now, get this โ Mahallโs isnโt just a bowling alley. Oh no, itโs also a music venue, a bar, and a restaurant. Talk about a jack of all trades! I spent one of the best nights of my life here, bowling a few frames, catching a live band, and chowing down on their famous fried chicken. Itโs like a one-stop shop for a good time!
But donโt let the hip additions fool you โ the bowling here is as classic as it gets. Theyโve still got the original manual scoring tables. I tried to use one and let me tell you, itโs harder than it looks! Iโm pretty sure my final score was somewhere between โBetter luck next timeโ and โMaybe stick to shuffleboard.โ
If youโre ever in the Cleveland area, do yourself a favor and check out Mahallโs. Just be prepared โ you might go in for a quick game and end up staying all night. Donโt say I didnโt warn you!
5. Garage Bowling Alley, Nowata, Oklahoma
Year established: 1929
Friends, let me tell you about a hidden gem in the heart of Oklahoma that Iโm itching to visit. The Garage Bowling Alley in Nowata is the definition of โthey donโt make โem like this anymore.โ
Built in 1929, this place is exactly what it sounds like โ a bowling alley in a garage. But donโt let that fool you. This isnโt some makeshift setup; itโs a bona fide piece of bowling history.
Now, I havenโt been to the Garage yet, but itโs high on my list for my next road trip through the Midwest. From what Iโve learned, itโs got two lanes, manual pinsetting, and more charm than you can shake a bowling pin at. I can almost imagine walking in and feeling like Iโve stumbled onto a movie set for a 1930s film.
Hereโs the kicker โ this place is still owned and operated by the same family that built it. Howโs that for continuity? Iโve chatted with the current owner on the phone, and let me tell you, the stories he had! Apparently, during the Dust Bowl, people would come here just to escape the dust storms. Bowling as a survival tactic โ now thatโs something you donโt hear every day!
One thing to note โ this isnโt your typical โopen seven days a weekโ kind of place. Itโs more of a โcall ahead and hope someone answersโ situation. But trust me, when I make it there, Iโm betting the extra effort will be worth it. Bowling here must be like taking a step back in time.
I canโt wait to try my hand at manual pinsetting when I visit. I have a feeling itโll give me a whole new appreciation for modern technology โ and for the folks who used to do this job day in and day out!
If youโre ever in northeastern Oklahoma and youโre up for a unique bowling experience, make the trip to Nowata. Just remember to bring cash, a sense of adventure, and maybe a bit of patience. Good things come to those who wait, and in the case of the Garage Bowling Alley, youโre waiting for a chance to experience bowling history firsthand!
6. Cypress Lanes, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Year established: 1923
Let me tell you about Cypress Lanes, a true hidden gem in the heart of Wisconsin. This place has been knocking down pins since Calvin Coolidge was in the White House, and boy, does it have stories to tell!
I had the pleasure of rolling into Beaver Dam last year, looking for this historic alley. I almost drove right past it! Cypress Lanes is tucked away in the basement of an old building, like a secret clubhouse for bowling enthusiasts. Walking down those stairs, I felt like I was entering a time warp.
Now, get this โ Cypress Lanes has four lanes. Just four! But let me tell you, those four lanes have more character than most modern 40-lane megaplexes. Theyโve still got the original Brunswick lanes from the 1920s. I ran my hand over that aged wood, and I swear I could feel the echoes of every strike and spare thrown over the last century.
But hereโs the kicker โ theyโve still got manual pinsetters! Yeah, you heard that right. Real, live humans setting up your pins after each throw. I tried my hand at it, and letโs just say it gave me a whole new appreciation for the job. I nearly took out my own kneecaps trying to dodge a flying pin!
The best part about Cypress Lanes? The locals. These folks have been bowling here for generations, and theyโve got stories thatโll curl your toes. I spent hours chatting with regulars, listening to tales of epic games, legendary bowlers, and the time the place almost burned down in โ62 (apparently, someoneโs cigar got a little too close to the lane oil).
If youโre ever in Wisconsin and you want to experience bowling the way your great-grandparents did, make a beeline for Cypress Lanes. Just remember to bring cash, a sense of humor, and maybe a little ice for your back if you decide to try pinsetting!
7. Elitch Lanes, Denver, Colorado
Year established: 1952
Okay, I know what youโre thinking. โ1952? Thatโs not that old!โ But hang on to your bowling shoes, because Elitch Lanes has a story thatโll knock you off your feet.
Elitch Lanes isnโt just a bowling alley โ itโs a piece of Denver history. It was part of the famous Elitch Gardens amusement park, which was a Mile High City institution for over a century. When I first heard about its connection to the amusement park, I half expected to see a roller coaster next to the lanes!
Now, hereโs where it gets interesting. The original Elitch Lanes closed in 2015, and I thought that was the end of it. I even made a pilgrimage to say goodbye, shedding a tear into my rental shoes. But guess what? You canโt keep a good alley down!
In a twist worthy of a soap opera, Elitch Lanes was saved at the last minute. The lanes, the equipment, even the neon sign โ it was all carefully dismantled and moved to a new location. Talk about a split spare!
I was there for the grand reopening, and let me tell you, it was like watching history come back to life. They managed to preserve so much of the original charm โ the retro ball returns, the vintage seating, even the quirky mural of bowling penguins. Yes, bowling penguins. Donโt ask me why, but theyโre absolutely delightful!
What I love most about Elitch Lanes is how it bridges the gap between old and new. Youโve got all this history, but theyโve also got cosmic bowling nights thatโll make your head spin. Itโs like bowling in a time machine thatโs also a disco.
If youโre ever in Denver, do yourself a favor and check out Elitch Lanes. Itโs a testament to the enduring appeal of bowling and the power of preservation. Just be prepared โ those bowling penguins have a way of throwing off your game!
8. Saratoga Lanes, Maplewood, Missouri
Year established: 1916
Friends, let me introduce you to Saratoga Lanes, the grande dame of St. Louis bowling. This place has been around since 1916, making it one of the oldest continuously operating bowling alleys west of the Mississippi. Howโs that for a claim to fame?
Now, I havenโt had the chance to visit Saratoga Lanes yet, but itโs next on my list for my upcoming Midwest bowling tour. From everything Iโve researched and heard from fellow bowling enthusiasts, walking into Saratoga Lanes is like stepping onto the set of a classic movie. Itโs on the second floor of a beautiful old building, and youโve got to climb a set of worn wooden stairs to get there. I can almost hear the creak of each step, like years of history under your feet.
Hereโs something that blows my mind โ Saratoga Lanes still uses human pinsetters on weekends. Yeah, you heard that right! I canโt wait to watch these nimble-footed folks dodge flying pins and reset the lanes faster than you can say โhamboneโ. Iโm even thinking about trying my hand at it when I visit. I have a feeling Iโll gain a whole new respect for the job, and maybe a few bruises to boot!
But the real magic of Saratoga Lanes? From what Iโve heard, itโs barely changed since it opened. Theyโve still got the original ball returns, the same scoring tables, and even some of the original seating. Heck, I wouldnโt be surprised if some of the bowling balls were original too!
Iโm particularly excited to experience a night of bowling during a thunderstorm there. Iโve been told that when the rain pounds on the roof and the old wood creaks, you could swear youโve been transported back to 1916, waiting out a storm with a bunch of dapper gents in suspenders and bowler hats.
If youโre ever in the St. Louis area and you want to experience bowling history firsthand, make a beeline for Saratoga Lanes. Just remember to bring cash (theyโre old school like that), and maybe leave your smartphone in the car. Trust me, once you step into Saratoga Lanes, you wonโt want any modern distractions!
9. Playdium Bowling Center, Albany, New York
Year established: 1940
Alright, gather โround, because Iโm about to tell you about a place thatโs as much a community center as it is a bowling alley. Welcome to Playdium Bowling Center, a capital city institution since FDR was in the White House.
I had the privilege of visiting Playdium last year, and let me tell you, it was something special. The moment I walked in, I was hit with this wave of nostalgia so strong I almost got knocked off my feet. The place looks like itโs been frozen in time since the 1940s, and I mean that in the best way possible.
Hereโs the thing about Playdium โ itโs not trying to be retro or vintage. It just is. Theyโve got 28 lanes of pure, unadulterated bowling history. The sound of Hereโs the thing about Playdium โ itโs not trying to be retro or vintage.
It just is. Theyโve got 28 lanes of pure, unadulterated bowling history. The sound of those old wooden lanes, the clatter of pins, the squeak of rental shoes on well-worn floors โ itโs like a symphony of bowling past.
But what really got me about Playdium was the sense of community. This place has been a neighborhood fixture for over 80 years, and you can feel it. I spent an evening there during league night, and let me tell you, it was like being inducted into a secret society. The jokes, the rivalries, the shared history โ it was incredible.
Oh, and donโt even get me started on their vintage neon sign. Itโs a work of art, I tell you. I may or may not have spent an embarrassing amount of time just staring at it, much to the amusement of the locals.
One word of warning โ if you go to Playdium, be prepared to bowl. And I mean really bowl. These arenโt your modern, forgiving lanes. Theyโve got some quirks thatโll challenge even the most seasoned bowler. I thought I was hot stuff until I tried to loft on lane 13. Letโs just say it was a humbling experience.
If youโre ever in Albany and you want to experience a slice of authentic American bowling culture, head to Playdium. Just donโt blame me if you end up joining a league and moving to the neighborhood. Itโs been known to happen!
10. Bowlmor Lanes, New York City, New York
Year established: 1938
Last but certainly not least, letโs talk about Bowlmor Lanes, a New York City legend thatโs seen more action than a cab driver during rush hour.
Now, I know what youโre thinking. โBowlmor? Isnโt that a chain?โ Well, yes and no. The Bowlmor weโre talking about here is the original, the grandaddy of them all. This place opened its doors in Greenwich Village back in 1938, and itโs been a Big Apple institution ever since.
Iโve got to admit, I havenโt made it to Bowlmor yet, but itโs at the top of my list for my next trip to NYC. From everything Iโve researched and heard from fellow bowling enthusiasts, walking into Bowlmor is like stepping into a time capsule of New York cool. This isnโt just a bowling alley; itโs a slice of the cityโs soul. You can almost hear the echoes of beatniks, artists, and rebels whoโve rolled strikes here over the decades.
Now, hereโs where it gets interesting. Bowlmor has managed to do something that a lot of historic places struggle with โ itโs evolved with the times while still keeping its soul intact. Theyโve got state-of-the-art lanes and fancy lighting, but theyโve also preserved touches of their history throughout the place.
Iโve heard an incredible story about Bowlmor during a blackout in the early 2000s. The whole city was dark, but Bowlmor? They fired up a generator, lit some candles, and kept the games going. It was like bowling by gaslight, and man, I wish I couldโve been there to experience it.
Sadly, the original location closed its doors in 2014. I may or may not be planning to shed a tear and try to pocket a piece of lane as a souvenir when I visit (donโt tell anyone). But hereโs the silver lining โ Bowlmorโs spirit lives on in its other locations around the city. Theyโve taken pieces of the original alley and incorporated them into the new spots. Itโs like a phoenix rising from the ashes, but with more neon and bowling shoes.
While we canโt visit the original Bowlmor anymore, its legacy lives on. It paved the way for bowling alleys to be more than just a place to knock down pins โ it showed that they could be cultural hubs, date night spots, and a place where New Yorkโs diverse communities could come together.
So, next time youโre in NYC and you see a Bowlmor sign, take a moment to remember its roots. And who knows? Maybe the lane youโre bowling on has a little piece of that 1938 magic in it.
Conclusion
Whew! What a journey weโve been on, friends! Weโve traveled from coast to coast, peeked into the past, and rolled a few frames down memory lane. From the manual pinsetting at Holler House to the time-capsule charm of Playdium Bowling Center, weโve seen that Americaโs oldest bowling alleys are so much more than just places to knock down pins.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit five of these historic alleys so far: Holler House, Mahallโs 20 Lanes, Cypress Lanes, Elitch Lanes, and Playdium Bowling Center. Each one left an indelible mark on my memory, and I canโt wait to complete my tour of the remaining five.
These venerable venues are living, breathing pieces of our history. Theyโve survived wars, depressions, and the relentless march of technology. Theyโve seen first dates and last games, victory celebrations and consolation beers. In short, theyโve been silent witnesses to the story of America itself.
What struck me most during my travels and research was the passion of the people keeping these alleys alive. Owners, staff, and regulars alike shared incredible stories, each adding a rich layer to the history of these places. Their dedication to preserving these pieces of Americana is truly inspiring.
But hereโs the thing, and I canโt stress this enough โ these places need our support to keep on rolling. Theyโre not just competing against newer, flashier bowling alleys; theyโre fighting against time itself. Every game played, every pin knocked down, is a small act of preservation.
So, I challenge you: Next time youโre planning a night out, why not step back in time at one of these vintage venues? Or seek out a historic alley in your own area. Youโll be doing more than just bowling โ youโll be keeping a piece of American history alive.
Now, itโs your turn! Have you visited any of these historic alleys? Or do you have a favorite old-school lane in your area? Share your experiences in the comments below, and donโt forget to join the conversation in our bowling forum. Letโs keep the bowling ball rolling and these stories alive for generations to come!
As for me, Iโm already planning my next bowling road trip to check off the remaining alleys on my list. Who knows, maybe Iโll see you out there on the lanes! Until then, keep it in the pocket, friends!
