5 Top Places to Go Bowling in Dublin
Bowling in Ireland takes the form of its more austere version—the Irish road bowling. But it doesn’t mean the locals don’t enjoy a good day of regular bowling.
If you’re in the city and want to enjoy a less physically demanding sport, there are a few alleys in Dublin for a good game of bowling.
How Much a Game of Bowling Costs in Dublin
We’re breaking down the things you’ll need to spend money for when you go bowling in Dublin. Please note though that this is the average cost and the rates still vary depending on the bowling centre.
Top Bowling Centres in Dublin
What we look for in a bowling centre:
1. Leisureplex Charlestown

Location | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Accessibility | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Parking space | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Facilities and equipment | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Maintenance | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Cleanliness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Rates (higher score, better value) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Food and drinks | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
Bowling | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Customer Recommendations | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Leisureplex Charlestown is one of Leisureplex’ branches in Dublin. Leisureplex is an all-around entertainment place, but it has an amazing bowling alley where locals love going to as well!
The first thing we notice about Leisureplex Charlestown is that it isn’t as busy as the other branches so it’s not as crowded. There is a lot of space for everyone, so there’s no need to wait because there are bowling lanes for everyone.
And just in case the lanes are full, there are other sources of entertainment visitors can enjoy. There are pool tables, arcades, and even a cinema where they can watch the latest movies!
It has a nice, warm atmosphere too so it’s a perfect place to rent for parties. In fact, some visitors we talked to told us that they had rented the place several times, not only for kids’ parties, but also for adults.
We also appreciate the cleanliness of the place. The bowling lanes are spotless clean including the balls and the chairs around it.
We also want to commend the majority of the staff who always welcome visitors with a friendly demeanour. Sometimes they’re quite inattentive though, and you have to try catching their attention before they attend to you—we think this needs improvement.
Regarding the rates for the bowling lanes—we think it isn’t very expensive, but you might have to spend on food. There are several concessionaires around, but they serve really pricey food and drinks which can be a little disappointing.
Pros
- Not crowded so not too busy
- Lots of spaces for bowling and pool
- Has other sources of entertainment
- Friendly and warm staff
- Good atmosphere
- Kid-friendly and family-friendly
- Clean bowling alleys
- Has a cinema
Cons
- Pricey food
- Some staff are inattentive
Customer Reviews
Convenient entertainment place
Great Place for all entertainment. Pool, arcade, slots and bowling. Right beside Odeon so very convenient. — John Burns, Google Reviews
Perfect for bowling but food is expensive
Great venue for bowling however the only food available is from the expensive theatre concessions. I really wish they put together some sort of bowling meal package that is reasonable. We paid €32 for 2 hot dogs while bowling — Corey Lehmann, Google Reviews
2. Leisureplex Blanchardstown

Location | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Accessibility | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Parking space | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Facilities and equipment | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Maintenance | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Cleanliness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Rates (higher score, better value) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Food and drinks | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Bowling | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Customer Recommendations | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Leisureplex has another big branch—Leisureplex Blanchardstown, which is also an all-around entertainment area that’s perfect for adults as well as kids. But just like its other branches, this one has a savage bowling alley that locals gush about!
In fact, when we asked some of the frequent visitors, they told us that Leisureplex Blanchardstown has well-maintained lanes and bowling facilities. They appreciate the cleanliness of the place, which makes it relaxing for them.
As opposed to the bowling lanes though, some of the pool tables and arcade machines need replacing. Some of them were too old and worn-out so visitors couldn’t enjoy them anymore.
In terms of rates, Leisureplex Blanchardstown is quite pricey, but if you’re willing to splurge a little, we recommend trying it. There are a lot of other activities and sources of entertainment that’s worth checking out other than bowling.
It’s family friendly so both adults and kids can have fun. There’s a play area for kids, a dancing room, and plenty of decent food and drinks.
Location is good too! So while waiting for an available lane, you can roam around the area and get coffee or visit the shopping centre.
We recommend going on a weekday too because there’s no waiting time for a bowling lane during this time. Weekends can get a little busy, and you might find yourself waiting for hours.
Pros
- Kid-friendly
- Bowling lanes are in good condition
- Offers deals for families
- Good location
- Has a variety of entertainment
- Dancing room
- Lively atmosphere
- Decent food and drinks
- Great place for events
- No waiting time on weekdays for a bowling lane
Cons
- Worn-out pool tables
- Old arcade machines
- Pricey
Customer Reviews
Decent and well-maintained bowling alleys
Decent place to kill some time and wind down. Bowling alley, snooker & pool hall, along with food and amusements all under the one roof and in a great location… Bowling is decent enough though. The lanes have been kept in a good condition and if you’re in a group of people works out okay in terms of price. — Vlad, Yelp
Pricey but worth trying for a good game of bowling
Really nice bowling! Staff very kind and helpful. Only thing is that overall seems a bit too pricey at €34 for 2 games for 2 people, over in less than 1h. If it were a bit cheaper I would definitely go a bit more often and maybe even spend more on other stuff (food, other games, etc.). — Rafael S, Google Reviews
3. ALSAA Sports Centre

Location | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Accessibility | ★★★★☆ (5/5) |
Parking space | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Facilities and equipment | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Maintenance | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
Cleanliness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Rates (higher score, better value) | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Food and drinks | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Bowling | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Customer Recommendations | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
When we asked the regulars of ALSAA Sports Centre, they had one thing to say—ALSAA has the cheapest rates in Dublin. And we agree—despite the bowling alley being one of the newest features of the centre, the lane rates are reasonable!
In addition to this, the bowling facilities are well-maintained and always clean. We love that there’s also a good selection of balls, which is very important since we all use balls with different weights.
The staff are very helpful as well—they immediately attend to every concern you have. And if you have kids, we think you’ll be relieved to know that the staff are very good with kids so they can help in dealing with them.
In terms of the atmosphere, we love that the place exudes a welcoming vibe. It has a cosy, casual type of vibe that makes you feel relaxed and light.
We also appreciate that it’s not difficult to have a lane for you and your group. Maybe because it’s a sports centre that offers other sports facilities so not everyone plays bowling.
Contrary to the bowling alleys though, some facilities are already old and need an upgrade. Some equipment needs replacement as well since they can’t be used properly anymore.
We think it’s also great that the sports centre has a bowling shop. So if you’re a bowling enthusiast, you can buy apparels and other equipment from the shop.
Last but not the least—the cafe. After a good game of bowling, it just feels nice to relax and eat at the cafe that serves really good food at reasonable prices.
Pros
- Reasonable rates for bowling lanes
- Helpful and friendly staff
- Clean lanes
- Cheap and tasty food and drinks
- Kid-friendly
- Friendly and relaxed atmosphere
- Has a bowling shop
- Not very busy
- Great ball selection
- Plenty of parking
Cons
- Expensive membership fees
- Building is a little old and needs renovations
Customer Reviews
Reasonable rates, top-notch facilities
We tried this bowling alley and it was really good. Really good staff and moderate price. Enjoyed and is nice for family and friends. — Jerry Sebastian, Google Reviews
Clean and well-maintained bowling alley
Lovely bowling alley, always clean. Cheapest place to bowl in Ireland
Very cheap food and very tasty. Lovely staff. Highly recommend beat bowling alley I have ever been to in my life — Bobby Comerford, Google Reviews
4. Bray Bowl Family Entertainment Centre

Location | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Accessibility | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
Parking space | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Facilities and equipment | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Maintenance | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Cleanliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Rates (higher score, better value) | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Food and drinks | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Bowling | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Customer Recommendations | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
What we love the most about Bray Bowl Family Entertainment Centre is that it’s such a well-maintained place of leisure. Everything’s clean and well-organised so visitors can just enjoy it without worrying about the little things!
Bray Bowl offers a lot of activities like retro arcades, games, and laser tag. But one of its main features is its top-notch bowling alley which everyone always goes for!
What we love about the centre is that its bowling alley has several lanes. So even if the place gets a little busy, there’s always an available lane for a large group!
Speaking of lanes, we love how each lane is well-maintained and each ball polished and cleaned. The seats around the lanes are clean as well, which makes playing much more comfortable.
We also love that Bray Bowl serves good food and drinks. What’s a better way to enjoy a good bowling day than having food to munch on while waiting for your turn, right?
We also want to commend the staff for being attentive to the needs of its visitors. They’re always willing to assist you if you need them and are always around.
The only thing that might turn you off is that Bray Bow is a little far from Dublin’s city centre. However, we think it’s worth the trip if you want to fully enjoy the experience—plus, it’s located near the beach!
Pros
- Well-organised
- Clean facilities
- Reasonable bowling price
- Bowling shoes not required
- Attentive staff
- Retro arcades
- Near the beach and the station
- Has a lot of bowling lanes
- Not too crowded
- Good food
- Multiple kids activities
Cons
- A little far from the city centre
- Lighting is a little dark for some
Customer Reviews
Not too crowded and has a lot of bowling lanes
The establishment offers great indoor bowling and arcade games. The arcade games are good, not too crowded. They got loads of bowling lanes. They got billiard tables as well. The place is tidy and doesn’t smell like cigarettes like others. They have their own cafe for coffee drinks and snacks, but nothing fancy. This is a good addition to Bray activities aside from beach walk and hiking. Will come back sometime. — Eugene Jacob, Google Reviews
Good value for money
Bowling was fun and the cost was good and efficient. Had a fun time with friends. Laser tag was even more fun . Also tried the amazing VR gaming. All of these we got for such a cheap rate. Per person for all these 3 costs around 20-25 per person. — Yasin Ansari, Google Reviews
5. Leisuredome

Location | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Accessibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Parking space | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Facilities and equipment | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Maintenance | ★★★★☆ (5/5) |
Cleanliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Rates (higher score, better value) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Food and drinks | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
Bowling | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Customer Recommendations | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
What we love the most about Leisuredome is that most of its facilities are new, so there are rare cases of machines not working. It’s an entertainment place with one of the nicest bowling alleys in Ireland—it should live up to its reputation!
Another thing we love about the place is that it’s easy to book a lane for you and your group. Everything’s done via phone, so when you arrive, your lane is already prepared for you including all the things you need like scoresheets and the balls.
We really recommend booking in advance because if not, the bowling alley tends to get really crowded. Some patrons wait for thirty minutes to an hour just to get a lane.
Good news though is that while waiting, there are other activities to enjoy like arcades, escape rooms, and laser tag. At least you can do other fun things while waiting for your turn at the alley.
We also love the overall vibe of the place—it’s spacious so even if there are a lot of people, it doesn’t feel very crowded. This is probably the reason why the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxing despite all the activities going around.
We’re able to talk to some of the patrons of Leisuredome, and they told us the only thing they didn’t like about the place was the cashless transactions. While safer, it’s a bit inconvenient to those who are more comfortable bringing cash with them.
Pros
- New facilities
- Plenty of parking space
- Clean bowling lanes
- Plenty of other activities (arcades, escape room, laser tag, adventure park)
- Spacious
- Not too busy and not too crowded
- Uncomplicated booking system via phone
Cons
- Long wait for bowling lanes
- Booking doesn’t get through sometimes
- Lack of staff members
- Cashless
Customer Reviews
An all-around leisure place with plenty of conveniences
Great place for the kids!! Bowling, arcade and soft play area all under one roof…there is more upstairs for the older ones but not sure what it is,I think escape rooms and laser tag…. Nice little cafe there as well and plenty of spacious seating….! — Aisling Egan, Google Reviews
Uncomplicated booking system for bowling lanes
We went bowling. We booked on the phone. Really uncomplicated. We paid on the phone and when we arrived it was a nice fast service. We enjoyed our family bowling. — Carina Ewertowksi, Google Reviews
FAQs About Bowling in Dublin
Bowling is not as physically demanding as other sports such as football, but it’s worth trying if you’re looking for a hobby or a sport to enjoy with friends. For other activities in the city that you might love, you can try Go-Kart in Dublin.