The Complete Guide To Bowling Alleys In Dublin

Last updated on April 7th, 2023 at 05:39 pm

Sometimes you just need to smack down some pins with a crisp wallop! When the mood strikes for a few games of bowling in Dublin’s fair city, it can be hard to know which bowling alley suits your particular needs best. Dublin can actually boast of a surprisingly comprehensive selection of bowling alleys for a city of its compact size. Whether you’re just looking for a fun evening out with friends and family, or thinking of joining a competitive bowling league, Dublin has a venue to suit you.

We have scoured the city and its surroundings for the full lowdown on all of the bowling alleys in and around Dublin, and have come up with this exhaustive list to help you choose the perfect venue for you.

In this post we share our complete guide to the bowling alleys in Dublin.

Map of Bowling Alleys

The map below shows the location of every bowling alley highlighted in the post:

ALSAA Sports Centre

Source: ALSAA Bowling Alley

The ALSAA Sports Centre in North Dublin is perhaps the spiritual home of ten pin bowling in Dublin. The ALSAA bowling club, established in 1963 by a group of Aer Lingus workers with a passion for the game, run regular leagues that play throughout the week and cater to all standards. 

While the bowling alley has an undeniably retro feel to it now, the facilities are still excellent, offering 10 lanes, a simple food menu serving family-friendly classics, and ample parking. This bowling alley is our top pick for adults looking to bowl in a no-fuss atmosphere.

More information can be found here.

Location: Old Airport Rd, Toberbunny, Dublin

Leisureplex Blanchardstown

The first of four Leisureplex locations on the list, Leisureplex Blanchardstown is undoubtedly the biggest and best of the three. Conveniently located beside Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, Leisureplex Blanchardstown benefits from extensive parking and a wide range of casual restaurants to choose from nearby. 

This bowling alley is an excellent spot to host birthday parties and other group events. The huge range of other activities available apart from bowling make it make a particularly good place for families with young children. Prices are lower from Monday to Thursday, and the lanes are generally quieter also. While the price of a game isn’t cheap, the quality of the lanes and the excellent host of other games and distractions make a visit to a Leisureplex location more than worth it in our opinion. Compared to many other bowling alleys in Dublin, the Leisureplex lanes are notably more modern and spacious.

Full information for all of the Leisureplex locations can be found here.

Location: Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin

Leisureplex Coolock

The second Leisureplex location on our list, Leisureplex Coolock is another excellent place to bowl for those living in North Dublin. As a member of the Leisureplex chain, this bowling alley is perfectly suited to those with young families due to the range of other family-friendly activities on offer. 

However, between bowling, Quaser, pool tables and many more activities, Leisureplex Coolock offers a great day out for all ages. 

Location: Malahide Road, Northside, Dublin

Leisureplex Tallaght

Another great location in the Leisureplex chain is Leisureplex Tallaght in the south of the city. Featuring the family-friendly facilities that are the hallmarks of the chain, this bowling alley is the perfect spot to take a group of teens or to host a children’s birthday party.

Featuring plenty of low level neon lighting, child-friendly food options and a kids play centre to boot, Leisureplex Tallaght is a brilliant option for stressed parents looking for an easy day out that the kids will love! For adults looking to bowl, going later in the evening is a great idea to maximise the chance of avoiding a gaggle of kids at the lanes.

Location: Village Green Centre, Tallaght, Dublin

Leisureplex Charlestown

Finally, the newest addition to the Leisureplex chain is Leisureplex Charlestown, located near the Ballymun neighbourhood of North Dublin. Sporting an ultra-modern decor, the bowling alley is one of the best in the country, with no less than 16 lanes to strike out on.

Similarly to the other Leisureplex locations, there is a range of other activities to keep everyone occupied, food and drink available on site, as well as plenty of parking. In addition, there are BYOB nights held throughout the week.

Location: 135 Charlestown Way, Charlestown, Dublin

Leisuredome

Located just outside County Dublin in Ashbourne in Meath, Leisuredome is worth the slight extra drive for those looking for the perfect spot to bring the kids on a rainy day. Since opening in 2022, the bowling alley is the most modern in and around Dublin, and it’s clear no expense was spared.

The bowling lanes are stylish and well-built, with purple neon mood lighting and super high resolution screens brightening up the dark alley. The entire location is cashless and runs on a slick top-up payment card system that can be used to pay for bowling games, arcade machines, and even food at the restaurant.

Alongside bowling, Leisuredome offers laser tag, escape rooms, a kids playground, and a full arcade room. The in-house restaurant serves up some favourite kids food items such as pizza, nachos, and crepes. Milkshakes and ice cream are also available of course!

For stressed parents on the north of the city, taking the kids to Leisuredome is guaranteed to be a sure-fire hit.

Location: Unit 21, Ashbourne Retail Park, Ashbourne, Meath

Website: https://leisuredome.ie

Bray Bowl Entertainment

Located in the seaside village of Bray, just outside of County Dublin, Bray Bowl Entertainment is an excellent spot for those looking to get out of the city. The location is particularly accessible by public transport, situated close to Bray DART station. 

Offering 12 lanes, this bowling alley is particularly well-known for its legendary BYOB nights hosted every Friday and Saturday. In addition to the bowling alley, there is a great selection of retro arcade games, as well as lots of other activities, including pool, table tennis, and laser tag. This spot is a great option for people without kids who are looking to bowl in a fun environment.

More information can be found here.

Location: Quinsborough Road, Bray, County Wicklow

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