A League of Their Own
For many Americans, flashbacks of loud, smoke-filled bowling alleys are some of the most vivid, nostalgic memories we have. After all, in the late 1970s, more than 9 million of us were members of a bowling league. Then for a while there, however, it seemed like bowling might go the way of many other beloved hobbies and all but disappear. But, thanks in part to corporate bowling behemoths like Bowlero (which purchased AMF and Brunswick in 2013 and 2014, respectively, and added the Professional Bowlers Association to its acquisitions earlier this year, according to Bloomberg) and its practice of combining bowling with signature cocktails and other forms of entertainment to appeal to the masses, the sport is growing again. In fact, it's expected to generate $4 billion in revenue by the end of 2019. But Bowlero isn't solely responsible for bowling's resurgence: There are plenty of other companies and individuals keeping the spirit of strikes, splits, and gutterballs alive. From New York to L.A. — and plenty of places in between — here are 23 alleys across the U.S. where you can knock down some pins while, in most cases, knocking back a drink or two.