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Author Topic: Where are the bowling alleys in the Norfolk, VA area?  (Read 1433 times)

rmarth1983

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Where are the bowling alleys in the Norfolk, VA area?
« on: August 12, 2007, 12:34:00 PM »
Hey all,

I just moved to the area about a month ago and am trying to figure out where the closest bowling alleys are to me before leagues start this fall. I'm living in Norfolk and working in Chesapeake, so I'm just trying to find an alley near my work or home.

Also, please give me your opinions on which would be best for league bowling. I'm looking for a laid back league with people in their 20's and 30's. Could also be interested in a more serious league.

Thanks in advance.
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Rich

University of Maryland Alumni
Mechanical engineering

Looking for old Quantum and Storm NIB

 

fins4ever88

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Re: Where are the bowling alleys in the Norfolk, VA area?
« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2007, 08:47:48 PM »
Yay, my area!

Worst bowling alley, AMF Military Highway. Stay away, the lanes are horrible and the service is worse.

AMF Norfolk is pretty good. If you don't mind the drive, AMF Chesapeake has some awesome people and a great pro shop there. Dave Harris is a great guy and very smart when it comes to bowling. If you really want to drive out to Virginia Beach, AMF Lynnhaven is probably the best bowling alley around, but again it's a bit of a drive. The pro shop there is also very good, and is not too bad in pro shop prices.

AMF Western Branch is my "home" house. Our lanes are fairly good, but stay away from the proshop. Ray Miller is a nice guy, but he's not the best driller in the world.

Chesapeake and Norfolk are good about league, but Lynnhaven is by far the best, but again, it's pretty out there.
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---Ryan

Scolai

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Re: Where are the bowling alleys in the Norfolk, VA area?
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2007, 09:13:17 PM »
quote:
Yay, my area!

Worst bowling alley, AMF Military Highway. Stay away, the lanes are horrible and the service is worse.

AMF Norfolk is pretty good. If you don't mind the drive, AMF Chesapeake has some awesome people and a great pro shop there. Dave Harris is a great guy and very smart when it comes to bowling. If you really want to drive out to Virginia Beach, AMF Lynnhaven is probably the best bowling alley around, but again it's a bit of a drive. The pro shop there is also very good, and is not too bad in pro shop prices.

AMF Western Branch is my "home" house. Our lanes are fairly good, but stay away from the proshop. Ray Miller is a nice guy, but he's not the best driller in the world.

Chesapeake and Norfolk are good about league, but Lynnhaven is by far the best, but again, it's pretty out there.
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---Ryan

I got some of the worst service I've ever experienced at Western Branch.  After waiting 2 hours for a lane when there were no less than 17 lanes available, I've decided I'll not be returning to that house any time soon.

AMF Chesapeake is a great house.  They host a PBA South Regional every June.  It's behind the Shoney's on Battlefield Blvd.

AMF Military is a dumpy kind of place, but I've had good experiences there in the past.  They also host a PBA Regional every November or December.

If you cross the river to Hampton, you can visit SpareTimes on Armistead Avenue.  It's a little tricky to get to, but it's a great house to bowl in.  Don't bowl in any other house in Hampton - they're nasty places or IN nasty areas.

Shoot me a PM and we'll get together next time I'm in the area.  My in-laws live up there and it's expected that I will go bowling at least once whenever I visit.
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fins4ever88

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Re: Where are the bowling alleys in the Norfolk, VA area?
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2007, 09:16:19 PM »
quote:
I got some of the worst service I've ever experienced at Western Branch.  After waiting 2 hours for a lane when there were no less than 17 lanes available, I've decided I'll not be returning to that house any time soon.



Very true. I'm pretty in with most of the people there, but it's still really bad. For some reason, they refuse to have more than one person working at the front desk, even though they know that it will be crowded.
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---Ryan

rmarth1983

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Re: Where are the bowling alleys in the Norfolk, VA area?
« Reply #4 on: August 13, 2007, 10:05:51 PM »
Thanks for the responses guys. Looks like I will be checking out AMF Chesapeake and Norfolk. I think Lynnhaven will be too far to get to after work...at least for earlier leagues.

Scolaí, I'll PM you tomorrow...gotta hit the sack so I'm not falling asleep at work again.
--------------------
Rich

University of Maryland Alumni
Mechanical engineering

Looking for old Quantum and Storm NIB

williewc

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Re: Where are the bowling alleys in the Norfolk, VA area?
« Reply #5 on: August 22, 2007, 05:16:40 AM »
none of the bowling alleys are that far away from each other out there,i know when the state tourny was out there, one bowling alley was in Chesapeake, one was in Hampton, and they were like 20 minutes from each other, and Virginia Beach and Norfolk is between those 2
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