Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is known for being one of New York’s most hip venues in one of the city’s most hipster neighborhoods. The word “kids” doesn’t immediately come to mind. Unless you live there, or have visited, or used to live in Brooklyn, like my family…and then you will know that it is the best place to take your kids! A bowling alley, restaurant and bar, as well as music hall, this giant space is open to adults 21 + most of the time, but on the weekends they have Family Bowl on Saturdays and Sundays. Whether you’re a NYC local or visiting from out of town, and are looking for an indoor activity for your family, I can’t recommend this super fun place enough.
Why is it so great? First of all, all of us exhausted and beaten-down parents are constantly looking for activities where sometimes it’s not all about the kids, but about the parents too. Are we not? We want our kids to play and have fun and do kid things, but we want our beer too. We want to go places where we still feel young and with-it, and where the kids can come too. No better place than Family Bowl. With 16 lanes, a disco dance floor for the kids, and some of the best food and drink in the city, it’s a win-win. We’ve gotten big groups of our BK friends together and spent entire afternoons there, the kids dancing and bowling and on cloud 9, all the while us grown-ups happily consuming Blue Ribbon comfort food and local beers on tap. Blue Ribbon is a NYC institution with some of the city’s best food – we should know, we used to live across the street. Cozy up in plush leather booths, order their fried chicken platters or oyster po’ boy or bbq pork sliders, and wash it down with one of their delish malted milkshakes. The kids usually eat what we have, but they have a good children’s menu too.
Also, every Sunday at 11:00, they have a music workshop for kids ages 7 and under called Rock & Roll for Kids. Think Jack Johnson, David Bowie, Reggea, Punk, etc. where the kids can move around and dance and sing. 1 hour, $10 per person. Under 1 free. Fun!!
And of course, there is lots of bowling! Shoes start in toddler sizes, so really, all ages are welcome. Lanes are sold on a first come first serve basis, so plan accordingly. But you can always wait in the spacious bar area, if your kids will allow, until a lane opens up. If you’re looking for a family outing on a cold or rainy day, or want to get a bunch of people/families together and socialize, it doesn’t get much better than Brooklyn Bowl!
Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 718.963.3369. Family Bowl hours: Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. $25 per lane per half hour. $4.95 for shoe rentals. To view website go here.
We love bowling – this place looks great, always helps when beer and good food are available too!!
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Yes – always!
Brilliant! I know you mentioned this to me before. I totally agree that even the kids should be entertained us parents need some fun too! We love bowling! We will definitely stay in Brooklyn when we go back.
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Make sure to let me know when you visit!
If we have rain when you are here we will try bowling.
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Ha – sounds good.
Ages since I played bowls! I’m rubbish at it but it’s good fun 🙂
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I’m not very good either, but it’s loads of fun, esp with good food and drink;)
I tried bowling for the first time when I was in England, it was great fun!
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Nice! I’m not very good but love getting a group together and going;).
This is PERFECT! We are headed to DC and NY for spring break and we are always on the lookout for spots like these to just chill. Pinning for later 😉
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Fun! Spring break in NY and DC sounds like a blast – hopefully the mild weather will continue for you all – enjoy! Thanks for stopping by:).
This looks great – I love the lighting in the place. You’ve captured it well, and I bet it made the whole experience more atmospheric. We haven’t been bowling as a family yet. Have to change that soon!
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It’s def a great way to kill some time on a cold or rainy day, and all the better with some good food and drink. The disco floor is where it’s at for the wee ones – thanks for reading!
This sounds really fun – I definitely like the idea of relaxing back with a drink while my daughter plays. Although at 3, I’m not sure I fancy giving her a bowling ball just yet as it could be slightly lethal! Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
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Ha – I hear you. They have a disco dance floor that’s great for the younger ones, as I’m sure many parents feel the same hesitation!
I had almost forgotten how much fun bowling is, but after seeing your photos, I really want to go bowling again, even though I suck and I’m a really bad loser. Blue Ribbon? That’s the fried chicken chain? I had that one on my list last summer, but I never had the time to go. This year, I will definitely try it:)
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I’m not sure if you’re thinking of the right place – Blue Ribbon does have a couple restaurants, but a bit on the upscale side with comfort food. They’re famous for their fried chicken so maybe you’re thinking of the right spot!
This sounds like so much fun! A great place to take the kids! I loved the sound of the milkshakes too. Thanks for linking to #citytripping
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The milkshakes are heaven..thanks for reading!
Why doesn’t every bowling alley have a disco dance floor floor kids?! It is such a good idea. We have just introduced our eldest to bowling, he loves it and I agree with you, it is such a lovely thing to enjoy as a family:)
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Totally agree Lisa – every bowling alley should have a disco dance floor! In fact every kids space should – makes life a whole lot easier!