Hollywood Bowl calls this one Manchester, but it sits on Ashton Leisure Park on Fold Way, so do not set off for the city centre. It is a big alley, 26 lanes, with arcade games, pool tables and a bar and diner. It opens at 9am on Saturdays and Sundays and 10am on weekdays, and stays open until 11pm or later every night.
Little ones are covered. Bumpers can go up on any lane, there are lighter balls, and ramps let a toddler push the ball off themselves. Junior pricing runs to under-16s. A game takes about 45 minutes for a group of up to six, so two games and a burger fill a couple of hours. Outside food is not allowed, but you can order from the lane and eat between frames.
The lane prices only appear when you book, which is the catch. The deals give a feel for it: eat, drink and bowl, one game with a burger or hot dog, fries and squash, starts at £8.50, and three games start at £10. The venue says weekday bookings before 11am get its best prices. Friday and Saturday nights, school holidays and wet weekends book up hours ahead.
What it costs: Junior pricing applies to under-16s, but standard lane prices only show at booking. Listed deals: eat, drink and bowl (one game, a burger or hot dog with fries, squash for juniors) from £8.50, and a 3 games deal from £10. Prices are marked as indicative and confirmed at checkout.
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One email a week: what is on this weekend within a sensible drive, and the places worth booking before they go.