Bowling in Bryn Mawr-Skyway

Bowlers at Narrows Plaza Bowl sling spheres down 40 synthetic lanes, each trimmed with automatic scoring and optional bumpers. After duos slip into their respective rental kicks and lace up their throwing arms, players draw orbital weapons and set to work mowing down pins in back-to-back bouts. Players leave point tallying to a computerized network that festoons 40-inch LCD screens with scores converted into the Xs and /s commonly taught in American math classrooms. Lanes can also be bumperized, enabling bowlers of any experience level to competently compete while balancing the fickle forces of geometry and physics. Between rounds, bowlers can slide over to the re-energizing food court full of pizza and libations (not included in today's deal).

TechCity Bowl offers a fusion of modern and classic entertainment, as 170-inch high-definition screens hover above the center's 32 lanes. The facility hosts open-bowling hours throughout the week, and allows customers to earn redemption tickets that may be redeemed for video games, radio-controlled helicopters, cameras, and more. They also offer league opportunities for adults and children, as well as interactive bowling games such as Rocky Road Race. Every Friday and Saturday night, TechCity Bowl takes on fluorescent hues and black-lit lanes for Cosmic X-Bowl. Laser lights and fog machines fill the alley with special effects, and a live DJ spins dance-worthy tunes that are broadcast on the high-definition screens. In the adjacent arcade, players can test abilities on air hockey and video games, and the onsite sports bar fills empty glasses with classic libations and seasonal microbrews. Bowlers can refuel in between rounds at the center's grill, which serves a full menu to keep hungry players from cracking open their bowling balls onto frying pans.

Lynnwood Bowl and Skate has sprung from a history so illustrious that the city of Lynnwood awarded its owners with a certificate officially recognizing its impact on local culture. That history began in 1956, when Lynnwood Lanes first opened. Two years later came Lynnwood Roll-A-Way, which was a separate endeavor until Lynnwood Bowl and Skate's current owners merged the businesses in 2006 with a major revamp. In August of that year, a renovation team resurfaced the lanes and roller rink, updated the computerized bowling system to accommodate the entirely new post-Y2K numeric system, and installed a glass door between the bowling alley and skating rink.

In addition to structural renovations, a fresh staff worked out the kinks that previously plagued the Bowl and Skate; they abolished leagues in lieu of exclusively open bowling hours and further diversified the center's activities by erecting the Asteroid climbing wall, a space-themed expanse of glowing handholds. Once visitors have exhausted their energy stores at the climbing wall, bowling lanes, or skating rink, they can gear up for round two at The Roll Bar, where cocktails flow alongside burgers and pizzas and skate-clad visitors flatten out too-thick crusts by rolling over them.