By Nick Martin
As students look for new ways to beat the summer heat, bowling is an activity students might forget about. However, it’s an outing that provides fun and cool relief from the outside heat. Bowling is readily available near Northeastern and in student-populated neighborhoods nearby.
These days, more bowling alleys in combination with bars and restaurants, which can beef up a trip to the lanes by including the option for a meal, bowling and a few cocktails.
“Bowling is just fun,” said Carol Downs, general manager of Milky Way Lounge and Lanes in Jamaica Plain.
The Milky Way offers an alternative to the standard 10-pin bowling called candlepin bowling. Players throw three balls instead of two, and the lanes aren’t cleared between throws. The pins are taller and thinner than usual, and the lanes are also oiled differently.
The Milky Way rents lanes by the hour and the cost for one lane is $25 with a maximum of six people playing per lane. Bowling is free Mondays after 9 p.m.
In addition to bowling, the Milky Way offers performances by live bands Fridays, and also hosts band performances without a cover Sundays during the summer. The Milky Way is closed to those younger than 21 after 9 p.m. and reservations are recommended, especially during the weekends.
Jillian’s of Boston is another place to hit the lanes close to campus, offering standard 10-pin style bowling. Lucky Strike Lanes is a section of Jillian’s; the entire compound includes Tequila Rain, the bar and nightclub, and Jillian’s main area for food and entertainment. Guests can move among the three floors, making it an all-inclusive outing.
The bowling area is located on the third floor and offers its own bar and a wall of television monitors, plus multiple big screens hanging throughout the 25,000-square-foot area that play sporting events. Thursday through Saturday, Lucky Strike brings in its own DJ to the lanes playing Top 40 all night. Bowling is $4.50 per game from 1 p.m. to 5 a.m. and $5.95 per game from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Shoes are $3.50 to rent.
Jillian’s might be a little pricey for some and, unlike at other venues, all bowlers pay full price all the time. There are not any regular discount nights or offers.
The bowling alley has a dress code after 8 p.m.; according to the venue’s website, men cannot wear hats or boots. Sleeveless T-shirts are also banned.
Admittance is open to those 18 and older Sunday through Thursday after 8 p.m. and 21 and older after 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Jillian’s is located on Ipswich Street across from Fenway Park.
King’s Back Bay near the Prudential Center is probably the closest place to bowl near campus. It offers a full-service menu, bar and billiards. The bowling area is littered with graphic screens above all 16 lanes and relaxing lighting. Regular rates are $5.50 during the day and $6.50 at night. Shoes cost $4 to rent.
King’s offers a student discount, and bowling is free with a college ID Tuesday nights. King’s is restricted to people older than 21 each night after 6 p.m.
