Alley

The place must not have been updated since it was built. They had Olivia Newton John playing and I'm guessing at the age of the place by that. It looks like a NYC alley or subway station. The women's bathroom stalls don't have doors. The place is in sad condition. I got a Groupon for 2 hrs of bowling but we left after 20 min. The place is just too gross. It's in need of an investor to do some major renovations. more

Just an all-around, damn good time! Without a doubt, you know what you're getting at The Alley. Great music anchored in eclectic awesomeness, a staff that after two visits feel like best friends, a great bar and food that's usually served by a little NC State cutie, and if you're lucky - a bowling score in the triple digits. An old school vibe permeates this classic Hillsborough St. venue, where there is no electric scoring and knowing how to keep score lands you some serious cred. Recently updated with lots of huge flat screen TV's, live sports as well as classic rock n roll DVD's such as The Band's 'Last Waltz' gets a lot of play at The Alley. An incredible and unique atmosphere that's hard to find these days, great people, wide range beer selection, good music and sports on the TV's if you need it, and last but definitely not least... BOWLING! So get your ass to The Alley, and experience what down-home, good clean fun feels like. more

extremely impressed with my experience at The Alley. Took a group of 35 people in for a birthday party, and the staff and service was impeccable. Had people come up to tell me how great of a venue they felt The Alley was, for a party that size. Rare find in Raleigh, to have the luxury of a relaxing and upbeat atmosphere, activity for ALL ages, and a staff that made sure our group had any and every thing we needed. Very prompt and attentive. more

Going there is one of my favorite things to do. It is old school but that is the charm of it. They have crinkle cut french fries and beer to munch on while you attempt to bowl. I go there for kid's birthday parties and for an activity with my friends. more

Keep your eyes open Raleigh, this once great bowling center and longtime Raleigh establishment will be making a dramatic comeback very soon. Pros: Tradition, Location, Opportuntity Cons: Current condition more

This is a great place to go if you want good old fashioned bowling, cheap beer, and french fries. If you want auto-scoring and fancy video displays, you can go pay the ridiculous prices at AMF, where I doubt that the food is much better. I like the fries, I like the canned beer, and I don't mind keeping score with the little Putt Putt pencils. The price is also much much better than the fancy places-- I have no idea how people bring their families to those places (at a local AMF, the first game with my pre-school son would cost $20, once you figure in shoes. Thereafter $11. Obscene. Might as well take him out for a gourmeet meal.) Western Lanes is about half that, and your kids can learn some advanced math skills filling out the scorecard. Just awesome. Pros: Real bowling alley, cheap beer, good fries, little pencils with no erasers Cons: Nothing, unless you want something expensive and fancy more

The lanes are dry and no auto scoring. And they have to little parking with a big hole that scraps your car when you drive into the parking lot. And the food is sub standard. I just think this is the worst center in all of raleigh. Pros: you can leave quickly Cons: dry lanes bad food little parking more