Is Bowling a Good First Date?

Key Takeaways

• Bowling is a fantastic date-night idea, and we explore why it’s a great option for those just starting out or who’d like to add fun back into their romance.
• We explore what to bring and what to wear on a bowling date to make your time at the lanes as fun as possible.
• Communication is key to having as much fun as possible while bowling, too!

Dating can truly be an intimidating part of life, especially if there’s someone who caught your eye that you can’t wait to get to know better. And, in an era where everything is going digital, from dating apps to work and life, getting to connect over low-tech, analog hobbies has never been more appealing.

Why not roll into a new relationship through bowling? Explore our advice to increase your hook potential on second dates and beyond:

Why Bowling is a Great First Date

A date night (or morning) at the bowling alley is sure to be just what you need to get the ball rolling on a new relationship. Here are just some of the reasons why:

• Bowling alleys are public. Especially for folks just getting to know each other, fun, public places. For extra peace of mind, there’s a set end date, giving you natural moments to assess whether this date is indeed up your alley.
• Bowling is great for group dates. Bowling can also be a great follow-up date, especially if you’re introducing your date to your friends. 
• Bowling is casual without feeling too casual. Bowling is a relatively inexpensive first date, and a great way to show you’re making an effort without it feeling like overkill.

Bowling is great for any time of day. Bowling is an excellent date night idea, but since many alleys are open much earlier (and indeed, some are 24 hours!), you have even more options. That means if you’re looking for a truly epic date from day to night, make bowling Round 1 and just keep rolling from there.Bowling is interactive: Many common public first date ideas leave out ways to build authentic ways to connect. For example, the movies aren’t great for conversation, while coffee shops or restaurants can end up feeling like too much of a job interview. You might say bowling strikes the right balance between casual fun and opportunities for conversation.You get a better insight into the person you’re out with. Relatedly, a fun, challenging game can help you discover more about your date than a simple chat over chai. For example, bowling can show how people react when something doesn’t go quite right, or how they react to your success. You can be yourself: Similarly, even professional bowlers know that bowling isn’t just a sport: it’s a pastime that’s open to all, which means the bowling alley is a great place to just show off your fun-loving side. 

Best of all, you win either way! No matter if you win or lose the game itself or if there’s interest in a second date, you will have learned more about yourself and had a fun day along the way. But if the date goes well, then no matter if you’re a left-handed or right-handed bowler, you’ve started the long game on the right foot. 

How to Have a Great Bowling Date Night: Your FAQs Answered

Whether for your very first date, a fun anniversary outing, or simply as a great way to keep the love alive, there are some things to consider so you get the most out of your bowling date night. Keep these tips in mind when planning a great date at the bowling alley.

What to Wear on a Bowling Date?

It’s only natural to want to dress to impress, but keep in mind your main accessory will be a 10 or even 15-pound bowling ball! That means it’s important to wear something that is comfortable, fits well, and that makes you feel confident when you’re moving around. 

Perhaps you want to add a theme like “50s vintage” with a trip for milkshakes at a diner after, or bowling is just one part of a “kids-at-heart” arcade adventure. Why not?

What else do I need for bowling?

One of the perks of bringing a date to the bowling alley is that most gear is provided if you don’t have your own. One thing to keep in mind is that you and your date will need bowling shoes. You and your date can either rent alley-friendly bowling shoes on-site or bring your own.

By purchasing your own bowling shoes, you’ll be rocking the lanes in style while staying comfortably focused on what really matters. Best of all, you’ll show that you’re someone who’s not afraid of commitment with your own perfect-for-you pair of bowling shoes. 

Is there anything else I need? 

Then, like the all-important bowling shoes, having your own bowling accessories is a definite way to make a good game get even better. Just as nobody likes playing with ill-fitting bowling shoes, having your own gloves, wrist supports, and grips are just a few small essentials that go a long way. 

Even better? Pack extras for your date! We can’t think of better ways to impress a date than with a bowling bag full of bowling gear, snacks, and other surprises to make sure you’re invested in having fun with your date now and for the long haul.

How do I make sure my date has fun?

Communication is important in any relationship, at any stage, and one of the most exciting things about starting to date someone is that “getting to know you” phase. If you’re dating a fellow avid bowler, this can include questions like, “Do you prefer single or double-handed bowling?” But regardless, it’s important to check experience levels. 

For example, if you’re as new to bowling as you are to each other, or if bowling is just an excuse to get to know someone better while trying something new together, many players use handicaps when the focus is on the fun itself. You don’t even have to focus on scoring the game if you don’t want to!

What if one of us is more familiar with bowling?

This is also where communication matters! Knowing how naturally competitive either of you are, or if one of you is more experienced at bowling than the other, those kinds of questions can go a long way in making sure the first date is a winning strike. 

If one has more experience bowling than the other, ask if it’s okay to share or ask for tips and tricks to improve the enjoyment of the game. Similarly, if you’re both super competitive, play on, and let the winner buy the snacks after! 

Ultimately, bowling is an excellent date night activity: as long as you’re both enjoying yourselves and each other, you’re doing it right.

Keep Rolling with Bowlers Paradise

Found this dating advice useful? Trust Bowlers Paradise for expert tips on everything from professional reviews on the latest exciting releases, selecting the right gear for you and your experience levels, and more ways to get the most out of your bowling.

Whether your bowling journey takes you to finding the love of your life, making a team of best friends for life, creating great lifetime memories, or all of the above, we’re here to be part of it. Roll into Bowlers Paradise!