Neon-lit lanes, retro arcades and the world’s highest bowling alley – these Dubai spots are right up our alley.
Whether with family, colleagues or on a date, bowling has an undeniable charm. Even if you can’t bowl as well as Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski, there’s plenty of fun to be had when hitting (or missing) those pins. And when you’re bowling in Dubai, you can raise the barriers or bowl blindfolded – we’re not judging.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly or adults-only venue, there are places to go bowling in Dubai that cater to all your needs. Plus, you can make a whole day out of it, as so many venues for bowling in Dubai come with food, drink and games. Lots of games.
So, bookend your bowling experience with anything from pool to pinball, or carousels to karaoke. It’s time to tie up your shoelaces, as here are the best spots to go bowling in Dubai.
Black Bunny
There is far more than bowling competing for your attention at Black Bunny. Spread across a large indoor entertainment space in Al Quoz, the family-friendly venue combines an eight-lane bowling alley with arcade games, virtual reality experiences, trampolines, wall climbing, soft play and indoor go-karts. The lanes cater to adults and younger players, with bumpers available for children and bowling shoes included with bookings. Once the scores have been settled, head upstairs and enjoy two billiards tables and a laser tag arena. When it’s time to refuel, a cosy café serves coffee, pizza, and sweet treats.
Where: Black Bunny, Al Ghurair Warehouse Complex. Al Quoz, Dubai
When: Daily from 10am to 10pm
Contact: www.blackbunny.ae
Brass Monkey
Bowling gets an adults-only makeover at Brass Monkey, where neon signs, retro arcade machines and late-night dining set the mood for some spirited competition. Both the Bluewaters, City Walk and soon-to-open Motor City locations feature 12 bowling lanes, while the surrounding entertainment differs slightly between venues. Bluewaters adds VR racing simulators to the mix, while City Walk features auto-scoring darts alongside billiards, foosball and arcade favourites. Between games, the menu covers tacos, sliders, pizzas, quesadillas and nostalgic desserts, with a full selection of beverages available from the bar. Brass Monkey is strictly for guests aged 21 and above, and stays open until 3am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Where: Brass Monkey, Various locations across Dubai
When: Daily from 4pm to 2am
Contact: https://brassmonkeysocial.com
Dubai Bowling Center
What Dubai Bowling Centre in Al Qouz lacks in style, it makes up for in scale. The big, brightly-lit recreation centre houses 16 professional bowling lanes and attracts everyone from families and first-timers to league players and corporate groups. Bowling is only part of the proposition. DBC Arcade mixes classic machines with newer games, bumper cars and virtual reality, while additional facilities include billiards, table tennis and gaming areas. Plus, there are birthday party packages and a child-friendly menu with pancakes, milkshakes and chicken nuggets for post-game refuelling.
Where: Dubai Bowling Center, Meydan Road, Al Quoz, Dubai
When: Daily from 10am to midnight
Contact: https://bowlingdubai.com
Dubai International Bowling Centre
For sheer scale, few venues in Dubai can compete with Dubai International Bowling Centre in Al Mamzar. Established in 2001, the long-running facility features 36 Brunswick synthetic lanes, making it the largest bowling centre in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. This is where recreational bowling meets the serious side of the sport, with regular leagues, competitive events and an on-site pro shop offering balls, shoes, bags and drilling services. Families are well catered for too, with lightweight balls and bumpers available for younger players. Elsewhere, the complex includes billiards, gaming facilities and food and beverage options, making DIBC an excellent choice for anyone who wants bowling to be the main attraction rather than an afterthought.
Where: Dubai International Bowling Centre, 44th Street, Al Mamzar, Dubai
When: Daily from 9am to 1am
Contact: https://dubaibowlingcentre.ae
GLITCH
Located inside Al Ghurair Centre, GLITCH is less a conventional bowling alley and more a giant indoor playground with bowling as one of the headline attractions. Its eight-lane setup uses automatic scoring and free-fall pin technology, accompanied by bright lighting and plenty of energy. Players must be aged four or above, making it suitable for families as well as groups of friends. Once the final frame is finished, the wider entertainment complex offers arcade games, virtual reality, climbing challenges and a zip line. In a first for the city, there’s an indoor roller glider, SkySurf, that will get visitors’ adrenaline pumping as they zip around the ceiling. However, we can’t stay away from BeastBowl, the eight-lane bowling alley fitted with state-of-the-art automated scoring from Brunswick.
Where: GLITCH, Al Ghurair Centre, Al Muraqqabat, Deira, Dubai
When: Daily from 10am to midnight
Contact: www.glitcharabia.com
Ground Control
Bowling gets a playful, cosmic makeover at Ground Control, with Dubai locations at Palm Jumeirah Mall and Dubai Festival City Mall. The entertainment hub puts bowling at the heart of the action, but there is plenty more to keep competitive groups occupied, including axe throwing, billiards, darts and arcade games. Visitors can load up a Ground Control card and move between activities, making it particularly well suited to families, birthday parties and larger groups. Food is part of the experience too, with burgers, Napoli-style pizzas, pasta, sliders, sharing plates, crêpes and milkshakes available when it is time to refuel.
Where: Ground Control, Palm Jumeirah Mall, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
When: Daily from 10am to 11pm
Contact: https://groundcontrolsocial.com
H Bowling Center
For bowlers who want the lanes to take centre stage, H Bowling Center in Dubai Maritime City is a strong contender. The spacious venue features 16 bowling lanes, including eight private VIP lanes that can be booked for celebrations and group gatherings. Away from the pins, visitors can challenge each other across 10 professional billiards tables, table tennis and a selection of arcade-style games. H Bowling Center also leans heavily into the dining side of the experience, with food served directly at the lanes and a menu that includes Mediterranean dishes and familiar comfort food. It is a good all-rounder for families and groups.
Where: H Bowling Center, Port Rashid, Dubai Maritime City, Dubai
When: Daily from 12pm to 2am
Contact: https://hbowling.ae
Lanes N Games
Tucked inside Mercato Shopping Mall on Jumeirah Beach Road, Lanes N Games combines bowling with the energy of a classic family entertainment centre. The venue is designed for groups of all ages, pairing its bowling lanes with a state-of-the-art arcade, video games and virtual reality experiences. Its location makes it particularly convenient for families looking to add an activity to a shopping day, while dedicated bowling, games and birthday packages cater to larger gatherings and celebrations. Food Trends handles the refreshments, so snacks and meals are close at hand between games. With everything contained on Mercato’s ground floor, it is an easy-going option for casual bowlers.
Where: Lanes N Games, Mercato Shopping Mall, Jumeirah, Dubai
When: Daily from 10am to midnight
Contact: www.mercatoshoppingmall.com
Switch Bowling
Lights, music, bowling. Switch Bowling has been keeping visitors entertained at Ibn Battuta Mall since 2010, and its 12 state-of-the-art lanes remain the centrepiece. The lively setup suits casual bowlers, families and competitive groups, but there is plenty to do once the bowling shoes come off. Four billiards tables, table tennis, air hockey and PlayStation gaming all sit under the same roof. There is also Alpys Cafe, where the menu includes Italian, Mexican and international dishes as well as burgers, snacks, coffees, juices and smoothies. Whether or not you’re the champion, you can unleash your inner Freddie Mercury in one of the soundproof karaoke rooms.
Where: Switch Bowling, Ibn Battuta Mall, Jebel Ali First, Dubai
When: Daily from 10am to 11pm
Contact: www.switchbowling.ae
The 44 at Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City
Dubai likes to do things differently, and The 44 claims one particularly impressive title: the world’s highest bowling alley. Perched on Level 44 of Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, the sports bar features just two lanes, so bowling is more of an addition to the evening than the sole reason to visit. That said, rolling a strike high above the city certainly has novelty value. The American-inspired venue also features billiards, darts, pinball, multiple screens showing live sport and an outdoor terrace with sweeping skyline views. Add burgers, wings and dishes from the grill, along with a drinks list featuring American whiskey and select wines. Serious about your strikes? The 44 remains one of the city’s most established choices.
Where: The 44, Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City. Al Habtoor City, Business Bay, Dubai
When: Daily from 12pm to 3am
Contact: @the44dubai
Tiger Strikes
Sport takes centre stage at Tiger Strikes inside Megaplex Dubai. The six neon-lit bowling lanes cater to players of all abilities, but the venue’s biggest point of difference is what sits alongside them. WIKIT uses augmented reality and BatFast technology to turn cricket practice into an interactive game, while digital darts and pool provide further opportunities to settle old scores. Once positioned as an adults-focused concept, Tiger Strikes now caters to families too, with dedicated family bundles and children’s event packages. A café and lounge serves food, mocktails and other refreshments between rounds. Tiger Strikes seamlessly blends snacking with spirited rivalry.
Where: Tiger Strikes, Megaplex Dubai, Umm Hurair. Dubai
When: Open daily from 3pm to midnight
Contact: @tigerstrikes.dxb
Triple 7
Hidden inside Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Canal View, Triple 7 taps into the nostalgia of old-school gaming while offering enough contemporary entertainment to keep the night moving. The four-lane bowling alley sits alongside billiards, pinball machines, classic arcade games and virtual reality experiences, all framed by neon lighting and graffiti-inspired interiors. Spread across two levels, the venue also features the upstairs 7 Heaven lounge for post-game drinks and bites. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, a menu of gourmet sliders, loaded nachos, made-to-order pizza and refreshing craft beverages awaits
Where: Triple 7, Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Canal View, Business Bay Dubai
When: Daily from 6pm to 3am
Contact: www.777dxb.com
Wavehouse
What Wavehouse lacks in bowling lanes – there are only four – it makes up for in its location. Located inside Atlantis, The Palm, the family-friendly entertainment destination pairs bowling with more than 70 arcade games spread across two levels, including a supersized Pac-Man. Visitors can also try automated darts or take on the Surf’s Up wave rider, making it easy to turn one game into an entire afternoon of entertainment. Comfortable seating and atmospheric lighting give the bowling area its own identity, while Wavehouse’s restaurant and bar serve fun food and drinks, from a one-meter-long hot dog to Jack Daniel’s banana sundaes. The bad news: this bowling spot in Dubai is so popular that you often have to wait for a free lane. The good news: there are arcades, ping pong and a soft play area to keep you busy, and all ages are welcome.
Where: Wavehouse, Atlantis The Palm, Crescent Road, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
When: Daily from 12pm to 10pm
Contact: www.atlantis.com