Different Areas and Equipment in Bowling Centers

A bowling center is a place that has a number of bowling alleys for different bowling games. However, bowling centers may also have small restaurants and other entertainment such as billiards, foosball or air hockey tables, or arcade video games.

A bowling center is large hall because of the numerous bowling alleys it may contain. The area where the bowling alleys are located does not have supporting beams, because bowling requires a clear view of the bowling lane. The large room would be supported by its walls, as well as the beams at the back of the bowling alleys, where the restaurants and other entertainment are usually located.

A bowling center may contain up to 50 or more bowling alleys. Each bowling alley would consist of a 75 by 3.5 foot lane with polished paint marks, two 60-foot gutters, two 60-foot borders, front wall, ten pins, a bowling machine, bowling ball-retrieving machine, ball tunnel, ball sorter, game computer and monitor(s), players' seats and table, hand dryer, and bowling ball rack with extra balls.

The bowling alley would have many seats and tables for the players, spectators, and restaurant patrons. Restaurants in bowling centers can serve fast food, complete meals, snacks, and beverages. Some can even serve beer and cigarettes. In order to serve food and drinks, restaurants should have an equipped kitchen, a storage rooms and supplies.

Other entertainment - the billiards area or arcade video games - would usually be located beside the restaurants. The billiards area is usually large, with ample space in between billiard tables. Each billiard table should have its own lighting. The area may also have a restaurant or a bar that could serve meals, snacks, and drinks, particularly beers. Billiard sticks, balls, and chalk/powder are usually placed at the sides of the room or at the bar.

The arcade video game area is usually for children or adolescents. It should be separated or enclosed, because the noise may disturb other people in the bowling center. There can be several arcade video machines in one room, ranging from toy games, shooting games, driving games, fighting games, and others.

Of course, the bowling center must have a reception area or desk where customers can pay, borrow bowling shoes and billiards equipment, or make other inquiries.

All bowling centers should be properly lit. Most are air-conditioned. Fine bowling centers are usually the venue for small to world-class bowling tournaments.