Andre TaylorIf there’s one thing I love about bowling, it’s that everyone can enjoy it. Pros, beginners, seniors, kids, goofballs, sticklers, and introverts can find a middle ground—it’s a sport that welcomes everybody!
It’s not like I’m the best—you won’t see me knocking down all pins with one strike. But hey, even when I lose, it’s still super fun because I can literally drag any friend, and we can enjoy our time on the lane without pressure.
It’s nice to win a round or two, but you need to practice for that. And if you’re looking for a bowling alley in Indianapolis to work on your throw, here are our go-to spots, including casual, more professional, and arcade-filled places. Let the good times roll!
Royal Pin Woodland
Media credit: royalpinent
Address: 3421 E 96th St (complete list of locations in Indianapolis)
Contact: (317) 844-4099
Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 9 am – 11 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 9 am – 12 am
Pricing: $$
Royal Pin Entertainment doesn’t leave you any time to spare. With its three locations in Indianapolis (Southwest, Southeast, and Northeast), each offering unique entertainment, it’s very accessible if you’re searching for a gutterly good time!
Its Woodland location has the fewest number of lanes (70 instead of 80), but it’s one of the best bowling alleys in Indianapolis, especially for families. The amenities are overflowing, such as an arcade section, a laser tag arena, and a mini golf course.
This is right up your alley, whether you’re a casual or a pro bowler. It hosts many leagues—and we mean dozens annually—open to men, women, and kids.
| Pro Tip: Avoid league days if you’re playing casually because it gets busy, even with lots of bowling alleys. You can check the schedule on the website. |
Atomic Bowl
Address: Fountain Square Center – 1105 Prospect St
Contact: (317) 686-6010
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Wednesday: 1 pm – 9 pm
- Thursday: 1 pm – 10 pm
- Friday: 1 pm – 12 am
- Saturday: 11 am – 12 am
- Sunday: 1 pm – 7 pm
Pricing: $$$
Nothing’s cooler than retro bowling, where you can take a step back in time and relive the glory days! If that’s what you’re looking for, head over to Atomic Bowl, grab a Coke, and play duckpin bowling in a basement in Indianapolis.
It’s for enthusiasts who appreciate vintage bowling gear, as it’s adorned with equipment and kits from the ‘50s and ‘60s. But anyone looking for a good time is welcome because, apart from bowling, this retro space hosts awesome musicians.
Bring your beginner friends here, since duckpin bowling has lighter balls and smaller pins. The lanes are shorter too, so it’s fairly easy to play rather than traditional bowling—don’t underestimate the game because getting a strike ain’t gonna be easy!
| Pro Tip: If Atomic Bowl is closed or full, head to Action Bowl on the 4th floor. It’s essentially the same with retro vibes and duckpin bowling, just with different colour palettes. |
Strike Force Lanes
– Media credit: Strike Force Lanes
Address: 1539 W Main St, Greenfield
Contact: (317) 477-2695
Hours:
- Monday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Tuesday – Wednesday: 4 pm – 10 pm
- Thursday: 10 am – 10 pm
- Friday: 4 pm – 10 pm
- Saturday: 10 am – 10 pm
- Sunday: 1 pm – 9 pm
Pricing: $$
Located half an hour from downtown Indianapolis, Strike Force Lanes is one of those local hangout spots that just feel familiar. It’s a fun, clean, and well-maintained bowling alley, ideal for families and groups.
At night, the alley transforms into a cosmic wonderland, where the whole place will be illuminated with blacklights and lasers. When it’s time to take a break, head to the arcade for casual gaming or the snack bar for a soda.
If you’re looking for a quick game that won’t cost a pretty penny, you can pay per person and play one game instead of renting the whole lane.
Serious bowlers will still have a grand time too, as it hosts various leagues every season, open for men’s, women’s, youth, and mixed groups.
| Pro Tip: Contact the bowling alley before driving off. There are only 32 lanes, which get booked during leagues. |
Pinheads
– Media credit: pinheadsfishers
Address: 13825 Britton Park Rd, Fishers
Contact: (317) 773-9988
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 11 am – 11 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 12 am
- Sunday: 11 am – 10 pm
Pricing: $$
Drive to Pinheads in Fishers for the ultimate family-friendly bowling alley in Indy, where, after knocking down all the pins, you can dine at the restaurant for some body fuel. This is where you and your buddies can have an unforgettable time!
Bowling here is fun, considering the place is big and the lanes are modern and maintained. Frankly, the whole space is decked out, including an arcade with a variety of games and prizes that are actually worth winning.
If you’re planning a party, the bowling suite is a private space that accommodates 20 to 40 guests, complete with 4 lanes, custom lighting for cosmic vibes, and a bar service. And if you’d rather spike than roll, there’s sand volleyball just outside!
| Pro Tip: Save your bucks and visit on weekdays during happy hour for half-price bowling. |
Pins Mechanical Co.
– Media credit: pins.indy
Address: 856 Carrollton Ave
Contact: (463) 600-9100, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: 4 pm – 11:30 pm
- Thursday: 4 pm – 12:30 am
- Friday: 4 pm – 2:30 pm
- Saturday: 12 pm – 2:30 am
- Sunday: 12 pm – 12:30 am
Pricing: $
Pins Mechanical Co. is your Midwest destination where the grit pulses through the walls. The Indy vibes are strong with this one, a massive space with 12 lanes for duckpin bowling with plenty of high-tops and stools for a good ‘ol draft.
Accessibility isn’t an issue here, as all lanes can be accessed using a wheelchair. All ages are welcome as well, including little kids 12 and under, although they must be out by 9 pm because it turns into a 21+ only spot.
And if you have a furry friend that doesn’t mind watching a game of bowling, they’re welcome inside, as long as they behave. Once there are no pins left standing, try the creative libations at the bar, located just in front of the bowling alleys.
| Pro Tip: There are no lane reservations, so arrive early or avoid peak times (weekends are particularly busy) to get a spot on the waitlist. |
All Star Bowl
– Media credit: lindzhwd
Address: 726 N Shortridge Rd
Contact: (317) 352-1848
Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Tuesday: 11 am – 10 pm
- Friday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Saturday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Sunday: 12 pm – 9 pm
Pricing: $$
Bowling is serious at All Star Bowl, an Indianapolis local gem where you can strike up some fun! It’s not the most modern bowling alley out there, but it’s got the vibe just right: dynamic lighting, colourful spaces, lively music, and an all-American menu!
If you prefer to play in a league, this is the spot. Everything’s straightforward when playing, since there are no distractions when you’re ready to strike—just the kind of place if you don’t want to be bothered by other loud activities.
All ages are welcome. There are leagues for men, women, seniors, kids, and youths. And if you need new bowling equipment, the pro shop’s just there!
| Pro Tip: Want to win money without joining a league? Visit from Monday to Thursday and ask for Casino Bowling, where you’ll get a chance to win the slot machine that appears on your screen after a strike! |
Punch Bowl Social
– Media credit: punchbowlsocial
Address: Circle Centre Mall – 120 S Meridian St
Contact: (317) 249-8613
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Friday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Saturday: 10 am – 12 am
- Sunday: 10 am – 10 pm
Pricing: $$$
All-around fun is what you should expect at Punch Bowl Social, an activity-filled complex in the heart of Indianapolis. The over 20,000 sq ft brings you bowling, dartsee, arcade, karaoke, and delicious bites!
The trendy vibe brings a different tone to your usual bowling sessions. It still serves as a fun, multi-sensory experience that’s elevated by the spot’s trendy atmosphere, thanks to its industrial-style space and stylish accents.
Expect rates that are a bit up there, given its location near Lucas Oil Stadium. You pay per person here, instead of per lane.
| Pro Tip: Avoid peak hours if you want to save money and find parking. Downtown gets busy on weekends, so finding a parking spot is going to be tough. |
Bowl 32
– Media credit: bowl32_noblesville
Address: 845 Westfield Rd, Noblesville
Contact: (317) 773-3381, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Tuesday – Thursday: 4 pm – 10 pm
- Friday
Pricing: $$$
Drive a little farther to Noblesville for a bowling alley that looks futuristic. The cosmic lighting, lasers, LED wall at the end of the lanes, and robot food delivery bring a totally cool vibe.
It’s THE multisensory experience, as there’s one long screen across the 32 lanes, which shows immersive scenes and music effects. It’s for leagues and casual nights, but all skill levels are welcome to join the competitions.
The leagues offer fun and competitive styles of bowling, perfect for kids, adults, and seniors. And once you’re done but not yet ready to end the fun, try your luck at axe throwing, get a hole in one at mini golf, or experience retro fun at the arcade.
| Pro Tip: Since Noblesville is over half an hour away from downtown Indianapolis, it’s better to book a reservation online to make sure there’s an available lane, especially during leagues. |
Beech Grove Bowl
– Media credit: Beech Grove Bowl
Address: 95 N 2nd Ave, Beech Grove
Contact: (317) 784-3743
Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 8:30 am – 2 am
- Friday – Saturday: 24 hours
Pricing: $
Serious bowlers and those who love playing in leagues shouldn’t miss Beech Grove Bowl, a local favorite that’s all about bowling! It’s not big or fancy, but it’s a no muss, no fuss place, where all you have to do is concentrate on striking the pins!
Basically, it’s THE community spot. It closes late and is even open all day from Friday to Saturday. The atmosphere is 100% family-friendly, but also ideal for casual date nights for sharing a pizza or two.
| Pro Tip: Drop by on weekdays, instead of weekends, to avoid waiting for a lane to open up. This bowling alley doesn’t have a lot of lanes, so expect to wait about 30 minutes or so. |
Championship Lanes
– Media credit: championshiplanes
Address: 1920 E 53rd St, Anderson
Contact: (765) 642-4961, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: 11 am – 10 pm
- Tuesday: 3 pm – 9 pm
- Wednesday: 3 pm – 10 pm
- Thursday: 11 am – 9 pm
- Friday: 3 pm – 11 pm
- Saturday: 11 am – 11 pm
- Sunday: 1 pm – 8 pm
Pricing: $$
We don’t normally like driving an hour or more just to play bowling, but it’s worth it in this case. Championship Lanes offers a professional vibe that we don’t normally see in our go-tos, given it’s a venue for PBA (Professional Bowlers Association) regional events!
Once you step inside, you’ll feel the professional atmosphere. The bowling lane (with a total of 44 lanes) conditions are good, with a balanced oil pattern that makes the ball move consistently—just what you want for better predictions.
While it’s perfect for leagues, it’s also ideal for open bowling any day of the week. Quality equipment is also available at the pro shop, and chicken wings at Blaze Brew Pub will deliciously satisfy your hunger after a game.
| Pro Tip: Call ahead to check for lane availability before visiting. |
