GOING BOWLING IN BARCELONA
As the second most popular participation sport in the world it attracts people of all ages and sizes, especially since its one of those sports which doesn’t require physical fitness and strength (unless of course you want to act hard and bowl with the heaviest ball on the rack…) It’s also a really good alternative to the more usual types of social entertainment, and a lot of bowling alleys also have a bar so no need to compromise there.
Nowadays, bowling alleys are divided into separate lanes of regulation length with gutters running down the sides, waiting to scoop up any off centre balls. Bowling as entertainment as opposed to sport is as straightforward as it could get – with mechanised positioning of the pins linked to a computer scoring system which also directs the players’ games, knowing the rules is simply an added bonus. Anyone can have a go.
If you fancy giving bowling a shot there are plenty of places to choose from.
- One of the best can be found in Barcelona’s biggest shopping centre La Maquinista (Metro Sant Andreu, line 1). Tel: 93 5042100 This has a great bowling alley, complete with a bar, disco music and UV bowling balls that glow when you chuck them towards the pins. www.newparkbowling.com
- Another important indoor bowling centre is the Bowling Pedralbes, Av. Dr. Gregorio Marañón, 11 Bajos, Tel. 933 330 352. www.bowlingpedralbes.com
- The other is a Namco Station. It has 20 lines, 7 pool tables, more than 60 arcade machines and free parking. (Av. Diagonal, 3, Barcelona). Tel. 933 562 500. www.namco.es/namco-b.html