Rockin’ and Bowlin’ at Aiea Bowl

Just when it seemed like Hawaii bowling alleys were falling like pins, Aiea Bowl made several strikes to brighten up a fading pastime. The recently-renovated alley is now Hawaii’s most up-to-date place for picking up spares (or picking up a hottie’s phone number) and for eating some of the best local food on the island.

Strike up a good time at a popular Oahu alley.

Aiea Bowl revived a bowling slump by living up to its self-described slogan, “A new experience in entertainment.” Each day of the week has been pvied up into something catchy, offering different types of deals: Madhouse Mondays (bowl free with college I.D.), Tasty Tuesdays (five course menu/drink specials), $2 Bowling Wednesdays, Her Way Thursdays (ladies bowl free), Funtastic Fridays (cosmic bowling) and Super Duper Saturdays (cosmic bowling). If you prefer a quieter setting, regular bowling (without the music and lights) is offered during the day and into the early evening.

I decided to try some of my birthday luck at the alley this past (Funtastic) Friday, which seemed to be the trend. The live DJ gave shout outs to several others celebrating being another year older, and as for that birthday luck, let’s just say I maintained my personal standard of at least breaking a 100! I also realized, after editing the video (below), that I filmed more gutter balls than actual strikes…At least it looks like we’re having fun doing it!

VIDEO: Put on your dancing shoes! Cosmic bowing in Hawaii gets people on their feet.

Aiea Bowl has definitely become one of the highlights in Hawaii’s night life. Cosmic bowling starts around 9:30 p.m., which is when you’ll see little kids thrilled to be dancing in their glow-in-the-dark shoes, some even curled up on a nearby couch as their parents concentrate on a strike. It’s about a half-hour drive from Waikiki, on the way to the Disney Aulani or Koolina Resort. The “night life” part usually starts an hour later, when streams of teens and young adults show up. The alley bar adds to the scene; drinking and bowling makes a nice combo for those of age. Not to mention booty-shakin’, head-bobbin tunes blasting in the alley and the psychedelic light show bouncing off the walls and down the lanes.

A great way to spend my birthday!

Aiea Bowl not only brought new meaning to bowling but to authentic local food as well. I know a lot of people who go here for the ox tail soup, or if it’s breakfast, the fried rice omelet. The cook keeps extra busy by baking pastries and cakes, as seen on display daily in the restaurant. The alley added a nice sit-down area, adjacent to the bar, that’s somewhat separated from the bowling atmosphere.

Overall, I’d say Aiea Bowl makes great use of the space, fitting in an alley, restaurant, bar, bakery and lounge while appealing to all ages and cravings for food and fun.

AIEA BOWL • 99-115 Aiea Heights Dr., Aiea, HI 96701 • Alley opens daily 9am-2am, except Wed 9am-1am • Restaurant opens Sun-Wed 7am-930pm, Thurs-Sat 7am-12am • 808-488-6854 • www.aieabowl.com

Posted by: Bruce Fisher on Mar 8, 2012