Best bowling in Hamilton? Or more like all the bowling in Hamilton. For a city the size of Hamilton we sure do have a lot of bowling alleys and they run the gamut from small and vintage to large scale 1980’s retro, 90’s glow-in-the-dark, rock’n bowl, and 5 to 10 pin. If you’re interested in checking out all Hamilton has to offer in bowling (and there’s a lot), here’s seven of the best (and only) bowling alleys in Hamilton.
Martin’s Bowling
This little bowling alley is a total Hamilton gem. You’ve likely driven past its retro glowing green sign about a million times driving down King. Located on King East heading into downtown; it’s for sure one of my favourite bowling alleys in the city. If you’ve never been, you need to check it out because who knows how long old relics like this will last in the city. It’s 5-pin bowling on six original wood lanes that are in beautiful mint condition. I’ve bowled many a birthday party here for both kids and adults. It is licensed, has a pool table, vintage pinball, and arcade games. If you’re not well versed in scoring your bowls, be warned scoring is done with a paper and pencil –no fancy 1980’s scoring computers here! Hours can vary due to private parties and rentals. So call in advance to confirm and book a lane. Cash only.
Hours
Thursday to Saturday 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
929 King St. East
905.545.3382 Facebook
Sherwood Centre
Sherwood is a large and spacious bowling alley offering 48 lanes of 5-pin bowling with a full-menu at their licensed “retro” bar and lounge. Breakfast and bowl –why not? The menu features edibles from buttermilk pancakes and peameal bacon sandwiches, to burgers, and Haddock and chips for Fish and Chip Friday’s. There’s bumpers options for the little kids, computerized scoring, and an arcade (including classic kid rides like the slow galloping horse). Shoe rental $3.25 and $4.50 per person per game or $27 per hour per lane. On-site parking available in large parking lot.
Hours
Monday to Wednesday 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
1095 Fennel Ave. East
905.383.7641 Website
Mountain Lanes
Located on Upper Wentworth just off of Concession is Mountain Lanes; 16 lanes of 5-pin (a slightly larger and more updated version of Martin’s). The lanes are split between two floors with a licensed snack bar and dining area. They offer bumpers, automatic score boards, and bowling industry standards Rock’n Bowl and Glow and Bowl. Shoe rental $3.25, for one hour of bowling per lane is $29.35 (Friday special this price includes a free large pizza from Concession Pizza!), or $5.10 per person per game. Make note of the amazing bowling murals on either side of the walls that have been salvaged from recent painting updates. I went on a Friday night and it was bumpin’!
Hours
Monday to Thursday 12 p.m.- 11 p.m.
Friday 12 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.
335 Upper Wentworth
905.574.8974
Skyway Lanes
If 5-pin isn’t your thing, then in Hamilton’s east end just off Parkdale, Skyway’s 24 lanes of 10-pin will do you right. They’ve been in the bowling business since 1957 and boast a fully licensed snack bar, computerized scoring, Rock’n Bowl on Friday and Saturday nights. Shoe rental pricing is a #HamOnt bowling steal; free for 14 years and under (or 55+), $2.95 for everyone else. Prices vary according to time of day but around $27 per hour or $5.19 per game. Check for their weekly specials.
Hours
Sunday to Thursday 9 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Friday to Saturday 9 a.m. – 1 a.m.
*shortened hours and schedule for summer season
235 Melvin Ave.
905.549.2882 Website
University Lanes
A family run operation that has been going strong for over 50 years with 16 lanes of 5 and 10-pin with bumper options. It’s located just past Mcmaster University heading down into Dundas. There’s glow-in-the-dark bowling on Friday and Saturday nights with a fully licensed snack bar that has snacks, sandwiches and burgers. It’ll cost you $3.76 for shoe rentals, and about $35 per hour or $6.15 per person per game (prices vary for kids and for glow-in-the-dark hours).
Hours
Monday to Thursday 10:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday 10:30 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
101 Osler Dr. Unit 114
905.627.0711 Website
Waterdown Lanes
Another well maintained vintage bowling alley with some updated modern features like automated scoring, arcade, snack bar, and a party room. This 12 lane 5 pin alley is located just outside the city in Waterdown. It offers some of the usuals: glow-in-the-dark bowling and bumper bowling. Shoe rentals are $3.10, $30 per hour per lane or $4.42 per game per person.
Hours
Monday-Thursday-Friday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Tuesday 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Closed Wednesday
Saturday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
64 Hamilton Street North, Waterdown
905.689.4782 Website
Splitsville
A modern day “the future is now” bowling and entertainment complex. Don’t expect to get all nostalgic about your golden bowling “King-pin” days here. Located at the top of the Red Hill Valley, it has 34 lanes of 10 pin bowling (with bumper options and all the bells and whistles), pool tables, a stage for live music and DJ’s after 10pm and a Playdium Lite games room; a totally up-to-date kid crowd pleasing arcade with prize store. There’s food service to your alley or in their licensed bar and restaurant lounge that overlooks all the lanes. Weekday bowling by the hour is $29.99 and $36.99 on weekends. Shoe rentals are $3.99.
Hours
Monday to Wednesday 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Thursday 9 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Friday to Saturday 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.
1525 Stone Church Rd.
905.387.3660 Website
