There are 7 larger/notable centers near where I live.
AMF Thruway: 60 lanes (SPL) with wood approaches, AMF ball returns from the mid-90's, holds PBA/regional/local tournaments, excellent maintenance on the equipment. They have old Brunswick AS-90 scoring machines but with new flatscreen displays). Thruway actually puts down oil and sport shots with their brand new Kegel machine. They also run a very good and busy pro shop. Bowlers at other centers around here recommend the shop. Liz Johnson and Ryan Ciminelli both have their equipment drilled here and they both practice here. Staff is very good here.
AMF Airport: The largest house in the area with 66 lanes, still has Brunswick wood lanes/AS-90 scoring. Upkeep isn't as good as Thruway, but it's ok. They also put out more oil than most places. Airport also runs a good amount of regional and local tournaments.
AMF Lancaster:36 lanes, old AMF wood lanes but has new AMF ball returns/masking units to go with the old AS-90 scoring. I have had balls gouged out here before because the upkeep here is the worst out of the AMF centers around here. That's why I hardly ever go there. The shot makes you adjust though, and it is one of the harder houses to play in. Rumor has it that this would be one of the AMF centers to possibly close as they don't draw a lot of customers.
Tonawanda Bowling Center: 42 lanes of brand new AMF HPL, new AMF ball returns and new AMF scoring machines. This is a high quality house, similar to Thruway which is maintained very well. They put down heavier oil (41-43 ft), and I have bowled in leagues here before. They're cash only, but are very reasonable with pricing. Plus, they have a good bar & grill inside the place. The whole place was renovated in 2003, which brought a new automatic entrance and the current bar & grill, along with an expanded pro shop. Then a few years ago brought the changes on the lanes. Some of the league bowlers here are very arrogant and I didn't exactly like the team environment. However, the staff and lane maintenance are excellent. Tonawanda holds many regional/local tournaments. In the early 90's, they hosted a weekly 1 hr bowling show called "Tops TV Challenge", which had a 3 match stepladder format.
Transit Lanes: This is a 52 lane house that has been recently renovated. They have Brunswick scoring (installed in 2000), Brunswick Anvilane as the surface, newer ball returns, nice couches in the entire seating area. This is also the most expensive house in the area too. In addition, the renovations in the early 2000's brought a new automatic entrance along with an expanded bar & grill that has a good menu. Jack Jurek's pro shop is also inside this center. Staff is good, and the lane maintenance is excellent. They are known for putting down heavy oil and long patterns (43 ft is the standard pattern). Also, Transit has a huge amount of leagues and they hold many regional/local tournaments.
Allie Brandt Lanes: 36 lanes of newer SPL, new AMF scoring, and AMF ball returns from the mid 90's. This is where I bowled juniors, and it was taken over and renovated by AMF. AMF sold this place to an independent operator a few years ago, and the staff/lane maintenance continues to be very good. The house shot is very over/under.
Brad Angelo Lanes: Taken over by Brad Angelo in 2012, this is where I currently bowl in leagues. The team environment is very good here, and the staff here since Brad took over is great. Brad has updated a lot in the 24 lane house, including renovations to the kitchen, bathrooms, and lane area. Ball returns are mid 1990's AMF, lanes are SPL. They put down a decent amount of oil, but have a variety of patterns during the season, including flat volume, short and long patterns. Brad also has a variety of non-bowling activities available, including cruise nights. The old Brunswick AS-80 scorers have got to go though. Lane maintenance is good, but there were 4 or 5 occasions that problems with pinsetters or scoring caused teams to move to other pairs this past season.
Granted, Brad didn't have a ton of time from when he took over the place until the fall season this past year to renovate (only about 4 weeks). However, I do think that he will be investing in this place as time goes on. I'm glad to say he has brought in a lot of new leagues and has brought a center that was on it's last leg with an out-of-state deadbeat owner back to being very respectable.
Now, there are other centers here in the area. However, these are the places I have spent the most time in. My preferences for open bowling are typically AMF Thruway, Transit, Brad Angelo or Tonawanda.
