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First-time visitors may need to sign a waiver or register for a game card. Staff are typically available to help explain games and provide tutorials. Some arcades offer newcomer specials or free play sessions to help you get started.
*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*
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*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*
*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*
6450 Edsall Rd
Alexandria, Virginia 22312
My group of 19 and I visited this establishment on May 11. When we arrived, we were told that the carbonated drinks that were included with our package were not possible due to their machine that quit working. I had some disappointed individuals who were hoping to get a second wind via caffeine. Our package had included food, drinks, bowling, and arcade games. While the group was setting up their bowling lanes, the manager, Devin, and our server, Rick, pulled me aside and made inquiries into our soda prefer
This is old-school bowling at its finest! If you want string pin re-setters and fancy surroundings, you'll need to go somewhere else. If you want free-fall pins in a classic setting, this is the place for you. Each lane has a table and chairs behind it, they are art-deco style from the 50's with chrome. This place has character. This alley is a bit worn, but that's part of its authenticity. Bowl Shirley is now part of the Bowlero chain (which is killing bowling), but luckily the corporation hasn't gut
I had a pleasant interaction with Mr. George regarding custom balls at this location. One of the managers, Joshua, was rather helpful and displayed awesome customer service, giving great suggestions of services offered. I truly enjoyed the atmosphere of the Edsall Rd. AMF.
Such a great place. The staff is beyond amazing! The food is fresh and tasteful. It's honestly the best bowling experience I've had. 10/10 recommend. Penny runs this place exceptionally well
20220926 We had a team building here today. My first time here, and was really surprised by how spacious, clean and well lit this place is. The employees are very friendly and helpful. We ordered the sampler, $27.99 ??, and the nacho with chicken $12. The sampler was good, pricey though, and the nacho wasn't worth it. It was ok. I would come here again, but eat first.
Me and my family came here and we had a blast! We have been coming here for years. It wasn't too crowded and we got drinks and really good food! We had fun setting up the game and playing the few arcade games they have here. We are definitely coming again
I was bowling with a group of individuals with special needs, and the staff was very accommodating and friendly. It wasn't too crowded during the day and the facilities were clean. A good visit!
Staff was super nice. Very old school, family friendly vibe. Bathrooms need some updating, but other than that, it was great!
This is a classic bowling alley with quality lanes and equipment. Everything is well maintained, from the lanes to the machines. No lopsided balls or faulty machines. They also don't go overboard with huge arcades and flashy lights and music. I thought they might when Bowlero bought them out, but they seem to have only improved. Better service and food, although the bathrooms are still nasty. Quality bowlers are usually to the left when you enter, and kids and parties are usually kept to the right. I've nev
Fantastic bowling alley. No frills, not overpriced, no gimmicks. The staff is extremely friendly. It has that classic vibe. We love coming here for a few games with a side of large fries.
Afternoon bowl felt like a great start to an evening party bowl. Lanes were fast and the shoes were comfortable. The ball selection was good with no damage ones near me. The Blue moon was cold!
My little ones were invited to a birthday party at this location and had a great time. They have a small arcade for entertainment as well. Kids really loved it ?? they have a cool photo booth as well.
This place was great! Awesome and fun staff, wonderful, a true bowling alley! Not many of these left.
Enjoy the people at both counters. Plus always making sure lanes are in good condition and the place well maintained..
A TRUE BLESSING! I purchased an Extra Large Print Bible from AMAZON; I needed a Bible Cover... This Cover is PERFECT and I AM HAPPY!
Really loved coming here. Seems like this is the main bowling arena of the area, and it deserves that title! We came during what seems to be a tournament, and still only had to wait around 5-10 minutes to be let into our own game, and while it isn't too cheap, with $10 per game and a required $4 for shoes per person, it was absolutely worth it, and there are neat statistics to check out during the game, as well as a lot of accessibility for children, with a super kind staff!
Thank you Devin, Joe and the sweet lady at the bar who made our drinks! Great customer service! My family and I had a great time. Great price for unlimited bowling too - starts at 7:30pm!
I Had A Nice Time But The Music Was A Lil Off It Could Have Been Better But Had A Nice Time !
I love this alley!!! More classic bowling vibes. I really really hope this is furthest extent of getting transformed by Bowlero, reminds me of bowling alleys as a kid & Bowlero is waaaay too much. I can't take my nephew with epilepsy there and now that we know where it is, will choose this alley 100x over Bowlero which is always packed, a 2 hour wait & way overpriced. We stopped bowling until we found this place because every Bowlero costs like $200 for 2 adults and we can't hear each other. Love this alle
I went with friends on a Tuesday. Everyone had a great time- especially the kids. While it's not the most newest place, there was a games area and the food was good. Service was fast. But what stood out the most was how friendly and pleasant the entire staff was. I can't say enough good things about them. They could give classes on excellent customer service.
We had a great time the day after Thanksgiving. Carrie, the manager, and her staff were very friendly, the facilities were clean, and they had a good music playlist. Will return!
Wine for $3.49, yes please! We had an awesome time bowling as a family - it was super accommodating for a 2 & 4 year old. The atmosphere was definitely retro, but would you expect anything less from a bowling alley?! If you are looking for one of the fancy new places, this isn't your stop, but if you want some classic family fun, stop by!
Always fun! Time goes fast and make sure to reserve a lane before you go. Especially for the weekend. A little pricey but staff is nice
We stopped by here a couple weeks with our family everyone here is amazing highly recommend
Great place to have good time. With family or friends. Only thing they need to do is updated the screens, its very old. Otherwise always a good experience.
Nothing short of amazing service from start to finish for my event! Trust me?. You won't regret your experience with the customer service or facilities.
Great place to have a beer and throw some bails with friends
This place was amazing! I took a school class on a trip for some fun and it did not disappoint. It was clean, organized, and the food was good. Kahris is a gem! The whole staff was professional, attentive, and their customer service was really impressive. I can't wait to take more groups and even go for myself. Had an excellent time at Bowl America Shirley
Met a new (but knew yrs ago) a friend (F.M.) there, she's beautiful!! We wanted to play under the special night lights (deduct 1 ?) but they don't use them (Covid right now) but we had a great time . $5.99 a ?? game
Bowling experience was good. Cannot say the same about food taste and restaurant service.
Great bowling experience. The equipment is new and the facility is clean. There are several arcade games as a secondary source of entertainment and there is full menu of food to order from. I have taken my two children here a few times and they have bumpers and ball rollers to help younger ones. We ordered the Alley Sampler for lunch, which was enough to feed 3 people for $27. The quality of the food was very solid and I would have been happy with it at any full-service restaurant. The staff are also
My friend took me to this bowling place, I had so much fun with GT. ?? Convenient location and clean environment.
Took my 2 older boys today. We all had a great time. The staff was very helpful, being it was my 4 year old first time bowling. Will definitely go back!
We went to Bowl America to take my kids bowling for the first time. We were told the price was $7.99 per game and shoes were 5.99. What they failed to mention was that the price was 7.99/per person/ per game. So when I got to the register, I was horrified to discover the price I was expecting to pay was doubled. $66.99 for two games of bowling! They also failed to mention a promotion on their website 16.99 all you can bowl on Sunday. (Which unfortunately I did not see til later) This experience turned what
Went to a birthday party at the establishment recently. There's plenty of parking, handicap parking, the building is handicap accessible, there are bathrooms on the premises. There is indoor dining, and of course bowling. The staff were so professional and nice and really just helped to make the event all the better. The kids had a great time bowling and the adults had plenty of space and room to just visit and talk with one another. I would absolutely recommend for a visit
Music was extremely loud and we had to yell to hear each other and there was no AC in June. Everyone was suffering after one game. Unsure of why they wouldn't consider using AC for it's patrons and employees. Food was good and lemonade was not too sweet.
Walked in at 1708 looking to bowl two games. 3 lanes in use at the time. Were denied access because "league was beginning at 1900". No negotiation, no apology just said they didn't have a lane for us. When I said we would be done by 1800, he just shrugged. How does a place like this turn profit?
I live within walking distance so I'm there a bunch and Jared and Devin really take care of me. They know what beer I like and have it at my lane before I sign in.
Fantastic lanes and great staff. Always friendly and helpful. Show up a few times and they even start to learn your name! Plenty of league options at good rates too.
We enjoy bowling here as a family, and they offer "Blast Passes" that you can sign up for so kids (and sometimes parents) get to bowl for free (you still pay for the minimal cost of shoe rental). As other reviewers state, the decor isn't very up to date. But they have updated their arcade area with a Mario Kart Racing, Pac Man, motorcycle racing, etc. The employees are quite friendly and helpful. When we go during the day it's not too crowded. They have bumpers and ramps for little ones. We recommend it!
We were there for my daughter?s team building event. Let's get this straight, you should only go there for the bowling. The food, drinks, and service suck. The staff is slow and DGAF. It's basically Chuck E. Cheese with bowling. If you're looking for anything more than bowling, consider Bowlero.
The staff are great. They will work with you and charge you what is right. These are the folks that work there in the Shirley location. ***BE VERY CAUTIOUS WITH THE ONLINE BOOKING / RESERVATION. This transaction generates an agreement with their corporate office. The party package is ridiculously priced!
Had a fun time! Cheaper than bowling in pentagon city. Had great customer service from Jared.
We had a good experience bowling with our group of 5. We didn't have any food so I can't comment on that. I made a reservation ahead of time for 1.5 hours because another review recommended it and I regret it because I think I ended up paying twice as much as I needed to if I had walked in and paid by person per game. I paid $150 for 1.5 hours and the price per person is $7.50/person per game. We ended up playing 2 games in the 1.5 hours we were there so at the walk in rate, it would have come to $75 so tak
I came today with my family of six and Joshua the manager was so nice and patient with us. We had the best experience for a couple of first timers.
Aside from a few out of place modern arcade games, this place looks like it hasn't been touched since the 80's/90's. Could use a real makeover...on the plus side there are plenty of lanes, it's cheap and we had no technical issues with the lanes.
It is a beautiful place to bowl and to host fun activities.??
Poooooor costumer service
Fun afternoon for bowling. Lots of lanes. Bumpers and ball ramps for the kids. Reasonably priced. Does exactly what it says on the tin
Great atmosphere for gatherings with friends and family.
This was my 3rd time here and everyone has always been very helpful. The place as a whole was clean and the restroom was clean (at least the women's was). Food is moderately priced and tastes....fair. Nothing like the bowling alley fries I remember as a child but everyone had a good time as always.
We showed up at the listed hours and were denied service because they had a league bowling in 2 hours. First off, your website shows that there are lanes available until 12am on Fridays with no indication of a league showing up and needing all the lanes. Secondly, you can definitely spare a single lane for a group when your place is empty while still preparing the other lanes. Lastly, there wasn't any signs or anything showing that this league thing would occur on the website nor at the facility.
Best staff ever & we love the manager Jerod! Cheap drinks, great vibes. Our favorite bowling alley in the area.
We hosted a adult birthday party at this bowling alley and it was a BLAST! Thank you so much to the Bowl America team for making sure everything went smoothly. Especially Ashley Shore, Event Sale Rep, who helped organized and made sure everything was perfect. Highly recommend hosting an event here!
Great place, I enjoyed my game. I wish if they had the music early
We expected just a good place to have a 16-year-old birthday get-together. Every aspect was even better than expected. The food (chicken fingers, pep pizza, fries) were really tasty, with a really nice presentation. Billy kept stopping by to make sure my daughter's group was happy and had all the food and unlimited drinks needed. The very friendly manager stopped by several times to see if we had all we needed. The lanes, music, atmophere were great. I've never seen such great customer service at a bo
Love the upgrades made to this bowling alley. It's not as fancy as some of the newer places but you're not put on a timer for the length of your game. The arcade and drinks sections seemed suitable. Overall I enjoyed being there especially when the added the music and party lights for evening bowling. I would definitely go back.
They were great and the team was so attentive with our group fellowship. Jared was the manager on duty and we could not have felt more appreciated.
Very friendly team?from the main desk to the snack bar?and great atmosphere. Jared in particular made our visit really special and gave great customer service. The lanes were really good?in great condition, newer electronics. Alley is undergoing a renovation but plenty nice for bowling.
Very well maintained and the staff are excellent!
Had my daughter's fifth birthday party here and was great time for kids and easy for adults to manage...which is awesome. The staff was very courteous and responsive. The staff sets the tables, puts out the food and drinks, and we got to sit back and enjoy. Pizza was great as well.
Best but screens are old . Overall nice place . Everything functioning well
Friendly staff, and clean, but the decor hasn't been touched since 1980. Not necessarily a bad thing, since everything appears well-maintained, just an observation. Keep your food expectations low and you will be pleased.
We've been bowling here for approx 15yrs. It had its faults but the new upgrades,menu and new staff is awesome! More friendly faces, state of the art lanes and Ryan great deals for league bowlers and families looking for some weekday fun:) Keep up the good work Jared :)
I took my boys here after school and was impressed. The service and staff were kind, efficient, and welcoming. The place was clean and even fresh (not at all like the stale bowling alley feel that I expected). Honestly before I went I was sort of dreading going (I only agreed to go because my boys begged for several weeks), but we ended up having a great time and I would gladly head back for another visit.
This place is not decent, but busy and cool. Nice staff and people comes in are nice. Great prices, kids are allowed, unlimited play pass and offers, membership and many more. Foods are delicious ??
If I could give this place 0 stars I would. It was our first time there, and will definitely be our last. The staff was incredibly rude (3 different people in our group commented about how rude the staff was to them within the first 30 minutes), and at the end of the night, one of the employees got uncomfortably confrontational. We addressed it with the manager, and to make a long story short, she scoffed at our complaints and implied that she has enough returning customers that she doesn't really care if w
The lanes have been renovated and the oil coating is just about right. The only issue I had was that the lane lighting is too dim to properly see the lane ball guides.
Came here the other night for a staff bonding trip. The bowling alley was amazing! Great customer service, good food, and the pro shop was fast and professional. Looking forward to coming back here!
It appears that it needs some remodeling or updating. The chicken fingers are very good. They serve alcohol but the drinks were weak. Attended a birthday party and the service was very attentive.
I took my grandkids to Bowl America they enjoyed bowling. We went on the day when there was unlimited bowling after 7p with the shoes included $16+ for each of us. Great for me and the grandkids. The food wasn't too bad they weren't complaining.
Very outdated for the price they are charging to bowl.
Bowl America Shirley is a great place to go for a night of bowling and fun. The bowling alley has 24 lanes, a snack bar, an arcade, and a party room. It is open from 11am to 11pm on weekdays and from 11am to 12am on weekends. The lanes are always in good condition and the staff is friendly and helpful. They are happy to make recommendations and help you with anything you need. The snack bar has a wide variety of food and drinks, including pizza, wings, nachos, and beer. The arcade is a great place to let o
Fantastic Bowling Alley! While the place appears to be a little outdated, I run into very few issues with the lanes when I come here. The prices are very reasonable compared to some other bowling alleys. Also the Staff is very mindful, and appreciates regular business. One night there was a rude family whose kids kept stepping in front of me. They even kept using my personal bowling ball after I asked them nicely not to. The staff picked up on this without me having to ask them, and came to assist. I
Very nice experience. The place is not updated and that's most of it's charm. Despite a classic feel, it's clean and clealry maintained by people who care. Attended a 5 yr old birthday there and it was a very good time. The people who work there care about what they're doing.
We organized our daughter's 13th birthday at Bowlero in Alexandria on Edsall Rd, and it was fantastic. Our daughter and her 11 friends enjoyed the bowling experience, the arcade (esp the punching bag), and the food was good. Mostly we were impressed by the friendly, professional and helpful staff. The manager Jared was wonderful. Highly recommended for outings with friends and also for kids' birthdays.
I've been here 3 times. Twice for birthdays and once to bowl with the kiddos on veterans day. They had 4 Lanes in use and the rest for a league and the whole other side wasn't being used. Was told we could wait. One lane the people had started a game and then sat down after three turns to drink. After waiting for awhile we left. Not sure how they make money honestly, but hey i can go somewhere else. I recommend AMF off Little River Turnpike or if you are a service member?just go to the ones on base.
Clean, reasonably priced. Has accomdations for special needs - they can put side rails up and have "bowling ball ramps" to roll balls down and can do either or both if you ask. A little short staffed but not unique to them. Courteous staff who get to you as quick as they can
It wasn't too bad! Good enough to bowl. The lanes are surprisingly working well for an old bowling alley.
They are great for adults and kids alike. It's not blacklight clean disco crazy like some modern places, but the crowd is pleasant and the mood is always happy. League bowling takes first priority, but parties who reserve in advance will find space even at peak times.
Great place to bowl. One of the best houses in NOVA. GO there and give them a try.
Nice, large facility with a lot of lanes. A throw-back to the 1960s. The food is mediocre but, hey, it's a bowling alley. Service behind the counter is slow; it's one of those places that, after waiting 5 minutes in line, you start watching the people to see exactly what they are (or aren't) doing. Pretty much just moving from point to point not doing much. It's pretty easy to miss the entrance to the place. It's a small, nearly unmarked drive off of Edsall Road. See photo.
Good and clean bowling place with great staff. Different types of food and drinks options available. Thank you for supporting the school and community events
This bowling alley is on the old side and is currently being renovated, but the staff is TOP NOTCH. Jared especially had such a positive attitude and sense of humor, but everyone working there seems to enjoy their job and their team.
Nice enough lanes and computer screen scoring, but prohibitively expensive. I went 11 am on a Saturday morning, nobody else there, with my three young kids and myself. We bowled two games, $67 dollars!! Twenty dollars for shoes that should come with the game price. That made it 11 dollars per game for my six year old! I'm not asking it be two dollars a game, but that was just absurd. What a bad business model. We would have come regularly, but now no. Maybe every two years. Businesses like these need to be
It was a great first impression. The computer system is a bit conventional and could be up to date. However, it works properly. It's very affordable. They have deals on Sundays before 6 pm. I believe it's $2.00 They also have a food court a d provide services for parties.
A lot of the lanes were broken down and looked like no hope of being fixed at any point of the night. Over an hour wait on a Saturday. Never again. There are plenty of better Bowl America's. Besides that the atmosphere seems happy and staff are very friendly.
Cool but they weren't updated as much as the bowling alley in Arlington the lights weren't really there they played music but they didn't have like a bar it wasn't modern and updated so I mean it was fun to bowl and listen to music but as far as you know remodeled and modern and you know games and all that they lack
It’s a mix of nostalgia and high-energy fun! Many arcades blend retro classics like Pac-Man and pinball with modern VR games, racing simulators, and rhythm challenges — often with music, lights, and a social vibe.
Both can be great! Solo visits let you focus on your favorite games, while going with friends adds competition, teamwork, and laughs. Many people plan arcade meetups as a casual hangout or even date spot.
Usually just yourself and a way to pay (some arcades still use coins, others use cards or apps). If you're competitive, bring your A-game. If you're social, bring friends or meet new ones over multiplayer games.
Weekdays or early afternoons are usually less crowded — perfect for focused play. Evenings and weekends bring the buzz, especially at barcades or venues with DJs, tournaments, or themed nights.
Absolutely! Arcades attract a mix of casual players and serious gamers. Whether you're jumping into a four-player co-op or chatting between rounds, it's a fun, low-pressure way to connect over shared interests.
Not at all. While many arcades are family-friendly, there are also adult-oriented ones with full bars, 18+ nights, or vintage nostalgia themes. Arcades today cater to everyone — from first-timers to lifelong gamers.
Yes! Many arcades host regular competitions, retro nights, cosplay parties, and more. Whether you're into high scores or just want to watch and vibe, events add an extra layer to the experience.
No worries — arcades are about having fun, not being perfect. Try a variety of games, ask others for tips, and remember: the vibe is more “let’s play” than “let’s win.”
Arcade prize games are a thrilling highlight in 2025! Claw machines, skee-ball, and ticket-redemption games like basketball offer a rush of skill and chance, with rewards like plushies, toys, or electronics up for grabs. Modern machines feature vibrant lights, digital scoreboards, and responsive controls, amplifying the fun. The lively arcade atmosphere, with cheering crowds and buzzing energy, makes every win feel epic.