Situated just west of the stunning Victoria Park neighborhood (strolling Victoria Park is a perfect Sunday afternoon activity, highly recommended) is AMF Midtown Lanes. Midtown Lanes primarily serves the surrounding community and is typically filled with local residents, plus a smattering of Koreatowners and gentrifying neighborhood types.
Upon initial entry you will notice the awkward, but often packed, parking lot. After navigating the oddly angled spots and walking through the door you earn entry to not just Midtown Lanes but also Maria’s Café. Maria’s offers typical diner fare. My one meal at Maria’s (couple years back) was good. Sticking to breakfast and diner-style food is the suggested word on the street.
Our Wednesday evening bowling experience began in the right place, at the bar! Drinks are served in a Vegas meets Swingers-style space. $3.84 Miller High Life and $4 Blue Moon make drinking affordable. Specialties include “Big Bowl” Cocktails served in some super sized plastic container. Popcorn, from an old-style movie popper, also available. Also, the bar closes when business slows, so grab ‘em while you can.
On to the bowling -- Hampster, Blue Moon, Smudge, and I were drawn in by the lure of “QuarterMania!” which promises 25 cent games from 9-11p. $10 per person entry covers shoes plus first game, and every game thereafter is 25 cents. If you bowl more than one game, “QuarterMania!” is the economist’s choice. Warning: opting for “QuarterMania!” means *everyone* on your lane must participate. So if your friend is late and only has time to bowl one game they could end up paying hefty price of $10, ouch! Our suggested strategy is to arrive early, secure your lane, and bowl fast. Three games, plus shoes, for $10.50 is a great deal. But you must arrive early and keep up the pace to make happen. League play ends promptly at 9p and clears out fast, be ready to pounce the front desk. High game of the night award to Smudge, with a come-from-behind-in-the-tenth–frame victory score of 119.
Other notable characteristics include new lanes, fast ball returns, nifty automatic scoring machine, color coded balls, and a clean and friendly atmosphere. 70s disco better left in the vault plus a smattering of Black Eyed Peas played throughout the night. For those wanting to augment their bowling with another nearby activity World on Wheels skating rink (yes, roller skating rink!) is next door.
After all these years our takeaway from AMF Midtown Lanes remains unchanged. Solid alley to enjoy a few frames. Play the “QuarterMania!” our way and you’ll walk away feeling like you just got the bowling deal of the century.
AMF Midtown Lanes
4645 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90019
Prices & Hours
Shoes: $4.75
Day Game: $4.25, Evening, Weekend & Night Games: $5.50 - 5.75
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sun: 9a - 11p, Wed: 9a - 12a, Fri, Sat: 9a - 1a
No comments:
Post a Comment