Bowlero West Ocala

Bowlero West Ocala

Reviews Summary

Bowlero West receives mixed reviews, with many praising friendly staff (especially Stephanie, Allison, and Joe), excellent service, clean facilities, and fun atmosphere. Positive highlights include great food, accommodating managers, and enjoyable events. However, some customers report poor service, rude staff, long wait times, and issues with food/drink orders. The venue is popular for parties and family outings, but inconsistent experiences affect its reputation. High ratings dominate, but critical reviews cite management problems and lack of attention to customer needs.

About This Listing

Wheelchair Accessible

Who Can Play?

Most arcades welcome all ages (some may have age restrictions for certain games)
Minors may need parent/guardian supervision (policies vary by location)
No gaming experience required - games range from beginner to expert level
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended for safety
Valid ID may be required for certain attractions or age verification
Groups and parties welcome (advance booking may be required)

*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*

First-Time Visitors

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.

Common Restrictions:

Age-Based Some games may have height or age requirements for safety reasons
Capacity Popular games may have wait times during peak hours

*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*

What to Bring

Cash or card for tokens/credits (some arcades are cashless)
Valid ID for age verification or membership signup
Phone to capture high scores and memories (check photo policies)

*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*

Preparing for Your Visit

Check arcade hours and peak times online before visiting
Eat beforehand or check if the arcade has food options
Bring friends for multiplayer games and competitions
Wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in
Avoid bringing valuable items that could be lost or damaged
Check for special events, tournaments, or discount days
Set a budget for games and stick to it
Stay hydrated, especially during long gaming sessions

*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*

How to Get Started

Most arcades accept walk-ins, but call ahead during busy periods or for large groups. Check for membership deals!

Other Helpful Info

Most visits last 1-3 hours depending on games and group size
Popular games may have longer wait times during weekends and evenings
Many arcades offer unlimited play packages or time-based pricing
Some locations host tournaments and special events regularly
Prize redemption available at many arcades - save your tickets!

*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*

Features

Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

1818 SW 17th St

Ocala, Florida 34471

Hours

Monday 1-10PM
Tuesday 1-10PM
Wednesday 1-10PM
Thursday 11AM-11PM
Friday 1PM-12AM
Saturday 12PM-12AM
Sunday 12-11PM

Customer Reviews

Amazing bowling This place is so nice the staff is nice friendly they have very good drinks and great place to bowl, they can be a little bit overcrowded for me sometimes, the have some arcade as well and great food as well. The bar was closed but the still had drinks, the come in a very nice size glass, easy system as well when it comes to the bowling computer, the screens on the back are great as well, variety of music as well. Overall great place!

Bowldero does not care about the safety of their employees and management is definitely not experienced enough to be in the position they currently have. The bar is in such bad shape I hardly ever have a soda gun or REGISTER, I have to use the snack bar. Dealing with management is impossible to talk to and don't appear to have the skills needed to communicate in an adult and professional manner. I had to go to the ER because the left side of my head hurt and I felt sick, it was determined I had an infection

Everyone from Bowlero made our company event a great success. Great communication from Jordan Terry, our sales rep/planner. Craig, the location Manager, stopped by multiple times to make sure all our needs were being met. There was a good selection of food options and the cook prepared the wings to perfection. The server was attentive and friendly. Would definitely recommend and can't wait to plan another event.

We had an absolute blast celebrating our son?s birthday at Bowlero West with his friends. All of the staff were helpful and amazing. Great attitudes. I wish I could name them all. We had a costume glow party and needed the lights dimmed around 4PM - they kindly accommodated us. 17 boys played and had fun. The facility offers a relaxed ambiance and the remodeling is evident. Our guests raved.

Bar is inadequately stocked. They were conveniently out of "lower end" alcohol, so a margarita would be $13.50... at a bowling alley! Then I asked about the wings... we're they breaded or naked? I was told naked, I ordered the overpriced wings because I was hungry. More than 30 minutes later, breaded wings arrived. "We don't bread them here, so..." was the answer. I could go on, but I won't.

I have the summer pass and went tonight to play a few games. Allison at the front desk was so friendly and made me feel like family. Bowlero west is a great place. I had my ball drilled at the pro shop which was super easy and friendly as well. A great place to bowl and make friends. Kudos to Allison.

Very nice staff, the food is actually banging. Very nice people go there. Fun arcade, overall a great place.

Absolutely rude front desk. been trying to make appointment for days now and told that they are too busy or call the next day which seems to be the most famous line. when asked on a better time to call they just said later (short and unspecific with lack of professionalism, also no willingness to take information down). When I re-asked the question to establish what works for them, I was chuckled at and was finally given a time after pulling teeth for Basic information. The small, on the phone interaction i

My family & I just moved here from Arkansas. It was my grandsons bd & he wanted to go bowling. When we came in we asked the woman Stephanie if you gave bd discounts she said no. But in the kindness of her heart she gave us 2 hrs. Now that is customer service. Plus the bartender Kyle is amazing. Highly recommend this place for same family fun...

So much fun. Great place clean and well kept can't wait to go back.

I want to say I have done a lot of business with bowling alleys and it's a rough game. I came here with some coworkers and had different expectations. I had a good time Stephanie the manager that evening is truly amazing and a beautiful spirit she made our evening very comfortable and very attentive. I wish other locations had more people like her that truly care about her customers. she made our evening pleasant and we decided to stay longer than we expected. Stephanie you're amazing. Keep up the energy it

This place is awesome! The lanes and music are great. The lady working the counter is very nice and gave my son a free 2 hour bowl for my son's birthday which was very sweet. The drinks here are good and the staff is very nice. Definitely recommend this place! ????

Had an awesome time here! Played pool at the bar. Bowled a few games as well. Place is awesome, great music and great employees. Thank you for a wonderful time!! Will definitely come again!!

I recently visited Bowlero Bowling with a large group, and I can't say enough good things about our experience! Stephanie, the manager, was absolutely fantastic. She went above and beyond to ensure we had everything we needed and made the whole process smooth and enjoyable. Her helpfulness and friendly demeanor really stood out, making our outing even more special. If you're planning a group event, I highly recommend reaching out to Stephanie!

Excellent bowling experience! Manager and staff were professional and caring. Very accommodating for my large birthday group! Great drinks, delicious food and awesome games. Highly recommend and will definitely be back soon!

Had a blast here!!! It is a bit pricey especially for a group, but it was a very enjoyable time! I went with my mom and my three year old and we all had fun. I forgot how much I enjoyed going bowling! They had bumper lanes for the kiddos and the roller mounds for my toddler. They had a delicious sampler plate and pretty extensive food bar. They had a little arcade section and a bunch of lanes. Their bathrooms are small and I didn't see a changing table but they were clean.

I had a wonderful experience at Bowlero with a group of friends! Service was quick & the people were so friendly! Stephanie made sure we were well taken care of & was super sweet! We will be back.

My first time visiting with friends from work and had one of the best nights in a long time! The staff were very friendly and happy to serve us. The food was fast and great.

My first time visiting with friends from work and had one of the best nights in a long time! The staff were very friendly and happy to serve us. The food was always fast and delicious with free refills on our drinks! There is a bar for those of age, plus a wicked arcade! The music bumping through the speakers was a great addition to the atmosphere and there were plenty of lanes. A great selection of each ball weight. Paid to play till close and stayed for a couple hours until they closed. There was a photo

I haven't been bowling for years. It was a blast. Someone in front of was buying passes, which are a great deal but took forever. Why didn't she ring us up, they start a tab now anyway. The balls kept getting stuck and I had to hunt someone down to fix it each time. I think they would get more business if they lowered their prices a little. Overall, a fun time.

The GM Tim is awesome and was able to accommodate our fundraiser even though it was kind of chaotic. The only reason I'm not giving a stars is because the snack bar area/cooking area is so slow.

Ok experience. Came here with younger siblings and parents for a birthday. Ordered a single pizza and a pitcher of soda, and it took 30 minutes. 20 minutes in, I asked if it was almost done, and the worker gave me a dirty look and said "I don't want to look in the oven". Other than that, mediocre.

I bought my first ball there. The guy who runs the pro shop did a great job sizing my hand. Then I received a free game voucher and scored a 176 the first time I used my tropical surge! I highly recommend this place.

Really nice atmosphere. The lady at the counter was very friendly and helpful. Got a lane as soon as we walked in... even though there was a birthday party. Very nice lanes. We will be back next time we are in Florida!

We went on to do a nice bowling day with a Groupon and when we arrived they said they don't allow Groupons on weekends. They told us Groupons are not allowed during weekends. I talked to the manager Stephanie and she called her supervisor and corroborated that is Groupons are only allowed during week days. We went and show them that in Groupon.com there is such no limitation published. I asked them to provide the actual written or web based documentation (proof) to support this claim to which they did not h

Good bowling alloy, but I prefer no TV Screens and going dark?? The TV light shines on lane and hides the markers on the lane. Just my preferences, but otherwise great.

This place is great. First time here with my family and loved it. Definitely will be coming back again. #unlimitedBowling for the win

I love this place. Stephanie & Faith are really kind. I Bowl With the Youth League Every Saturday Morning. I love the food. Thanks Bowlero - Reagan

The Manager, Stephanie is AMAZING!!! My family and I went bowling for my husband's birthday and Ms. Stephanie made sure we had a great night bowling! We're very appreciative of her! ??

I LOVE IT HERE! We've been bowling a few times at other Ally?s and never had a better experience! Stephan was an amazing help with a great attitude while they're very busy. We will be coming back again!

Place was filthy and wasn't like we came when it was busy. The attendant was to busy on her phone. First lane ball return messed up waited 20+ minutes for them to fix it for it to mess up again. So they moved lanes waited 20+ minutes for them to turn the lane on. Ended up having the same issue with the ball return. So we played one game and left and wont be back nor will anyone I know.

I have been coming here for years and I can honestly say the service, food and staff ( especially Stephanie ) is 5 stars. I always bring my family and we have the best time here. Theres times where we come from Orlando straight to this bowling alley. Trust me when I say this, Bowlero West Ocala is the best alley with the best staff ( especially Stephanie ).

My son and I bowled almost every single day during the summer and into fall. The staff were always friendly and helpful! The restrooms were clean and the food was great. We look forward to the next bowling pass!

A really enjoyable experience. Family had a wonderful time. Will go again. Food ,games and fun.

Well, I did not have problem with the place at all until this week when I came into Bowl the practice League I signed up for. Allison who works the desk there perhaps as an assistant manager I don't know , informed me that I no longer Bowl in this league. I didn't pay last week because I left my cash on my dresser and there's not enough weeks to pay with a credit card since they insist on 4 weeks. So I just figured I would catch it up the following week and be current in my league dues. She neglected to a

This is a great bowling alley to bring your family to have fun, the staff is very helpful and friendly. Hopefully you'll get the pleasure to see Charlene, Craig, Laurie, and Donald shout out to all the great staff at AMF West!

Sat in front of an employee with my brother both waiting on her for a good while as she completely and totally ignored us standing directly in front of her eyeline behind the computer screen. We left and went to East Ocala where an employee standing far back from us on her phone saw us in half a second and took care of us. Will be going there from now on!

This was my first time here and I was surprised to see that they had 4 pool tables in addition to bowling. This was nice because we didn't reserve a lane ahead of time and had to wait for one. Playing a couple games of pool was a great way to pass the time. Their arcade was decent with an air hockey table and over a dozen more games. It was easy to earn tickets and get prizes at the arcade too!

Great experience all because of the staff. Allison was the main person taking care of all our needs but every staff member did a great job. Definitely best if you reserve lanes online. I don't know if it was the new GM or what, but since last time I noticed a difference. GM, what are your favorite books?

We had a great experience today. The gentleman working the counter was beyond kind to us. Very good time!

Went there for practice. Dont live in area, but was a pleasant visit. Very nice place. Plenty of parking.

Amazing customer service, and great bowling experience, cool photo booth, and free drink refills! Shout out to Stephanie!

Great fun; great food; pizza was awesome especially; nice size arcade; bumpers and ramps for the little ones to bowl; friendly and helpful staff; handicap accessible; plenty of parking; kids were hoping to have a better prize selection for arcade wins; great for parties and events; reasonable prices.

We recently went to Bowlero for my 10 year old's birthday. To our dismay, we found out that they had placed huge screens at the end of each lane. Not only were they distracting, the content they played was definitely not family friendly. I would not recommend this establishment for anyone that cares about bowling or families.

Runned down equipment. Staff seemed to want to provide good service but they know complaints will come. Lane bumbers wouldn't stay up, balls would get stuck by the pins and wouldn't come back. Waited 1hr for food and order was mixed up. Still they compted some drinks for that and kudos to the handyman for being quick, and courteous will all issues. Overall okay bowling place

As a league bowler who has bowled in many bowling alleys, the only good thing I can say is that the lanes are very well oiled, but I will never come here again and recommend you don't if you're a person of color. The girl who greeted us was rude and unnecessarily curt. If I'm a paying patron, I expect to be treated with basic decency and customer service but I didn't get that which is very unfair and hurtful.

They are spending money in the wrong places. The bar and food counter didn't need to be redone. But the bowling machines that mess up every few racks or the fans that don't work on some lanes... they refuse to fix. They shouldn't even be able to hold leagues/official tournaments technically with all the broken stuff.

Great Ocala bowling alley, good service and affordable bar and delicious food! Great time for the whole family!!

Had a great experience, staff was lovely and very helpful, I've had a lot of fun and love the environment

We have done two company events at this location. Our people have a great time.

Great, clean, and friendly atmosphere and very informative staff. Charlene was patient with my kid! And very professional

Manager at the store refused to give a refund after telling me bar is closed can't serve drinks. Basically stole my money. Lanes we were on didn't even work. Just goes to show how much poor management can affect your experience Straight trash, not recommended

The attendant Stephanie needs to get some remedial training in customer support and not speak condescending to people.

Bought 1 diet soda and 1 mt dew both were nasty with no carbonation and then they put in a 44% tip luckily my credit card company sent me an alert the following day asking if that was correct

Great bowling alley, and affordable family fun! Stephanie is great and we love coming every week to bowl. Always great service and a great time!

Love this place, watch for specials and the cost is reasonable, also a summer pass is being sold right now for around $50 for 3 months, can't beat that price anywhere... I plan on going 1x a week with my daughter

My daughter works here plus games r so cheap why wouldn't u wanna spend time here it's amazing

Would give a 0/5 if possible! Everyone on the staff including manager was absolutely rude! Also definitely not following CDC guidelines for the social distancing! They just bunch everyone up when they have the whole 32 lanes available. Never would come again, regret not looking at the reviews beforehand.

A nice and clean establishment. Great customer service and a fun animated score board with hints for getting a spare when there are pins left standing. I really enjoyed at this bowling alley.

1st timer &. considering my hubby and I play a ruthless game ol bowling (video game) at local bar & as soon as I talked to or duck & the DJ "Kenny) is the ma.

5 stars because we had a good time with our friends and family, but the people at the counter are rude! They get 0 stars.

I wanted to order a drink. I approached the "Bar" and "Snacks" counters and noticed signage directing drink orders to the bar (see attached). I sat/stood at the bar for about 10 minutes, making eye contact with the staff multiple times. I made a couple attempts to talk to them to no avail. Finally when one of the employees had to enter the bar I asked him "Are you not serving tonight?" The employee told me I had to go to the "Snacks" counter, added that they are "busy." I told the employee "Then you should

This place met all my needs. I wanted a fun night out with friends and it gave me that. I wanted delicious food and it gave me that. I wanted a clean space and it gave me that. I had so much fun. And special shout out to this worker named Stephanie who was just spectacular. She checked on us several times and made sure we were taken care of. I had the best night bowling and playing in the arcade while eating delicious food. Thank you Bowlero Ocala for the best night.

Such a great place for family and friends. Awesome atmosphere!

This bowling alley is clean and welcoming. They have plenty of shoes to rent and plenty of bowling balls to choose from. This is a great place to go bowling!

I went with my family for my birthday the other night. Very low key. The manager was patient right from the get go. The man that cooked our Flatbreads....i was told his name was Alan, was super courteous & kind. The young man Noah whom checked us out was just as polite as could be. Everything was super clean. I can't wait to go back with my boys.

Made a party reservation and Tim made sure to check on us the whole time and we were very well attended. I was surprised with the amazing set up they had waiting for us. I love my brother dearly and this was definitely the best birthday he has ever had!! We spent some great quality time as a family!

We Came to bowl tonight with my family and friends and the service was absolutely ridiculous! Waited for 20 minutes in line to order a drink and some food for our little kids...I couldn't get the guy working the concession area to even acknowledge me. We were definitely made to feel like we were a bother by asking for any help. They do not seem to care whatsoever about customer service! Rudest experience I have encountered in a while and definitely will NOT be taking my daughter back! Do better, it's Frida

Cleanest bowling alley that I have ever been to in my life! The lanes are well-kept and super smooth. The scoreboards were clear and easy to read, plus had fun graphics to see in between frames. Tables and chairs were not sticky at all, and the bathrooms were also very clean. My husband and I brought our own shoes and balls, so I can't review their shoes. Employees seemed nice despite being busy on Sunday night. The Sunday Funday after 6pm special of $2.79 for each game (10 frames) was the best bang for ou

Great I love the environ abit crowded sometimes so I rather early afternoon weekdays

Great bowling alley! Stephanie was so nice and made our experience so much better!

It definately bothered us, with half the alley wide open, they put 2 families directly on both sides of us after we started played 2 games and left. Pool is by the minute. And the food it outrageously expensive. Not the same lanes I grew up on.

Stephanie and Joe took great care of me. Bolero East didn't treat us well and Joe and Stephanie went above and beyond at Bolero West to make it right. They really blessed me. Feeling thankful

We haven't been bowling in 20 years. Neither of us is very good, but we enjoyed the atmosphere. AMF is Clean & not overcrowded. So glad to see the upgrades to this alley that actually made the game enjoyable. We had a great time & plan on going back again soon.

They were very accommodating in regards to keeping parties distanced from each other. Kids had a blast.

I've really enjoyed their summer pass. It's great value and finding a crew to go with weekly, I saved a ton of money and had a lovely time. We've turned it into a weekly ritual.

The bowling was recently priced, the food was a little higher then fast food restaurant . All in all it was a nice place to go

Fun place to bowl. Paul is the greatest! Very friendly and fun to chat with. Very quick about checking bowlers in and assigning their lanes. He really knows how to handle things while keeping customers happy.

Not bad. Some lanes have equipment issues. But overall pretty good conditions

The food is good, the drinks are good, the people are nice and the lanes aren't covered in a ridiculous amount of oil. I love coming here. Stephanie running the front desk and Cheyenne being our table host is the best combination you could get.

Fantastic experience, staff was very kind and helpful, great enviorment!

Great staff and atmosphere! Machines work great with no issues!

Having a great experience at Bowlero using the summer pass is amazing!

It was almost perfect. Since the pro-shop wasn't open, I would hope the vending machine would have had super glue so I could repair my ball. Other than that, very good experience.

I come here many times a week and bowl leagues and practice games. I absolutely love this place and the staff. The staff is very friendly and helpful in addressing and concerns or questions. The new arcade is also very nice and helps with things to do to just have a good time. Five stars

use to come here all the time for the pool tables and now they don't have them?? bring them back please it was such a selling point to this place.

Had a blast. Wings were amazing.lovely people.

Great place to have lots of fun, very friendly people

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like visiting an arcade today?

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.

Is it better to go alone or with friends?

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.

What should I bring to an arcade?

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.

What’s the best time to visit an arcade?

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.

Can I meet new people at arcades?

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.

Are arcades still just for kids?

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.

Are there events or tournaments I can join?

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.

What if I’m not great at arcade games?

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.”