Need your bowling alley recommendations... (Raleigh, Cary: school, best, area)

[cry884]

I'm looking for a place to go bowling on a Saturday afternoon/ evening with a group. The last time, I confirmed via phone a few days before, but when we showed up, they were having league night and we were told we'd have to wait 3 hours to bowl! Don't want that again! So, anyone familiar with a cool place? My main preference is a place that's non-smoking or at least with a non-smoking area, if possible.

Oh, I'm looking in the Raleigh area - North, ITB, or .... ?

[cry884]

What if I say, "Please!!!!"?

[Juanvald]

If you are looking to bowl on a Saturday, there will be no worries in regards to leagues. In my opinion, the best lanes in North Raleigh are at Buffaloe North off Capital Blvd. It is smoke free, but there is no bar. If you want to drink, then I suggest AMF over off Glenwood(can't recall if it is smoke-free). I think the lanes are better quality at Buffaloe North, but if you are looking for just a good time with some friends/family, then you can't go wrong with AMF.

[trusam]

Buffalo lane on Capital Blvd. in North Raleigh is very busy on Saturday afternoons. We went there 3 times and came back because of long waiting time. But now we call them 2-3 times one or two hours before we want to go there and find out how many people are waiting. When you find 1 or 2 people are waiting for the lanes just go there and you will get the lane in 10-12 minutes. This works for us, might work for you as well. Hope not many people start doing this otherwise everyone will show up at the same time!!!!

[fester600]

I would try Buffaloe lanes in Cary. I know they are smoke free, but unfortunately that seems to mean alcohol free in most bowling alleys:

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[Juanvald]

Originally Posted by fester600

I would try Buffaloe lanes in Cary. I know they are smoke free, but unfortunately that seems to mean alcohol free in most bowling alleys:

Quick Links

Yeah well call ahead first. My wife and I arrived at Buffaloe Lanes Cary yesterday to practice. We got there at 1pm when they say they open. Somehow, there were already people bowling that were at the end of the 10th frame. When we asked for a lane, they said they would not have one for 3 hours because of some tournament going on as well as birthday parties. They really should put a note on their website regarding these tournaments. We drove 20 minutes to get there and got nothing out of it. I can't wait for that bowling alley to be built in Holly Springs. I won't miss Buffaloe Lanes Cary one bit.

[JJingle]

AMF Pleasant Valley off Glenwood has a ton of lanes. I've never had to wait there.

[uncletupelo]

western lanes is old school retro cool. give it a try.

[miamiblue]

Originally Posted by uncletupelo

western lanes is old school retro cool. give it a try.

+1 for Western Lanes. It's the only bowling alley I've been to in this area, but just the fact that the lady at the bar will slide your beer down the counter to you is enough to make me want to go there. Don't think it is non-smoking, but it is definitely old school. The scoring is with pencil and paper. It wasn't very crowded when we went on a Friday or Saturday night (can't remember exactly which it was).

[JJingle]

Originally Posted by uncletupelo

western lanes is old school retro cool. give it a try.

I like Western Lanes. In fact, I was there on Saturday. It's always a good time. Just know that you have to count your own pins and it can be a little smokey.