Is Bowling on the First Date a Good Idea? Yup! Here's Why.
Your friends and dating “experts” will often tell you never do a first date at a noisy place. The idea behind this suggestion is that you can’t hold deep conversations. Where does bowling on the first date come into play? Everyone loves the game (admit it, you so do), so wouldn’t it be a great idea?
I think about some of my first dates and they almost always began with bowling.
I’m not a good bowler — I think my average is about 100-120 per game (on a good game) which usually plummets as time goes on. It’s funny because I’ve been bowling for most my life… I just never really got good at it. But, bowling has always been one of those fun, go-to activities when I (and SO) couldn’t decide what to do on date night.
Why Bowling is a Great First Date Idea
Bowling isn’t your typical date idea compared to the usual dinner and a movie. Bowling is noisy, sweaty, and followed by greasy snack bar food and cheap beers.
Thinking about it… that sounds perfect, does it not?
There’s a bit of everything at the bowling alley from arcade games and food to billiards and people watching.
It’s cheap on most nights and even cheaper when you snag a few Groupon deals.
You can set up bumpers and have a laugh as one another flails the bowling balls down the alley. Or, get competitive.
Here’s why bowling is an awesome date idea:
It’s Slow Paced
Bowling is a pretty slow game if you’re taking time between frames. One game can stretch a full hour if you’re stopping to chit-chat and munch on food.
The slow paced nature of the game gives you a lot of moments to think or continue good conversations.
But… it also gives you a bit of an “out” if things are going off. The noise levels and everything going on around you makes it less awkward if you’re not chatting up a storm.
There’s Good Competition
Playfulness is always good sign when you’re on a date and bowling can bring that out! The game’s just competitive enough for non-regulars that you’ll talk smack and goof off during game play.
The competition also brings about some antics like causing distractions and taking stabs at another. These are pretty great ice breakers if the conversations were a but mute up until that point.
It Has a Lot of Extras You Can Do
The bowling alley we like going to has a 30+ pinball section!
It’s a little rinky-dink bowling alley but it has a ton of neat things you can do between games. They’ve got a cool bar and lounge. They’ve also got a small arcade, billiards, darts, air hockey, and a chill hang-out spot outside. It’s like this weird cross between 80’s arcade, biker bar, and bowling alley.
If you’ve got a few extra bucks you can find some really high-end bowling alleys complete with sports bars, TV’s showing the game, and a wall of arcade and challenge games. The prices for these extras are usually way lower than if you went to a bar, billiards, or arcade separately!
It’s Hella Cheap
Most average nights seem to be about $2.50 a game and $2.50 for shoe rentals — this is for the rinky place we like. I’ve seen others charging closer to $4 a game at the nicer places. But… the best time, in my opinion, are on college nights. The one’s I’ve been to are usually Wednesdays or Thursdays — it becomes $1 game night plus mayhem from the college kids rolling in.
Groupon usually has a dozen+ bowling deals on their site at any given time, too. It’s like a 20-spot for two people or a bit more to rent the lane for an hour or two.
The Food Isn’t Too Bad (For What It’s Worth)
If this is your first date — and you don’t really know their food preferences — bowling alley food is a hit or a miss. Yet, you can’t beat the pricing and let’s be honest… if they can’t enjoy a slice of pizza and a drink then there are bigger issues at hand! It’s finger food, it’s something easy so you can keep having fun without those awkward silences you two would have during a proper dinner date.
You Won’t Strike Out doing Bowling on the First Date
They probably weren’t into you to begin with if a bowling date wasn’t “their thing”. I don’t see this being the case, though, because everyone has fun bowling with their friends. It’s a fun, somewhat challenging game that doesn’t get serious. It gives you enough time to chit-chat and get to know another. Plus, it’s super cheap!
What do you think?
Leave a comment if bowling was your first date. Or, if you’re seriously considering it with one you’ve got planned!
Your friends and dating “experts” will often tell you never do a first date at a noisy place. The idea behind this suggestion is that you can’t hold deep conversations. Where does bowling on the first date come into play? Everyone loves the game (admit it, you so do), so wouldn’t it be a great…