I knew this lady who got offended if you called the place she worked a "bowling alley"... she would correct you, "it's a bowling center!"

Of course she did this because she was always trying to elevate the image of bowling and she genuinely believed that "alley" had a negative vibe to it.

So what do you call it?

Is it a bowling alley or a bowling center?

Tony
http://www.allBowling.com

Most of the time I revert to my childhood when I talk about where people bowl.  I learned to bowl at the alleys, not a center.  However I now bowl in a center, the difference being that the Bowlaway (my youth) had 16 lanes and a couple of pinball machines for most of its history (for a while it did have a pie and sandwich counter - yes, I know, you like pie).  Zeppoz (now) has 16 lanes, a bar, a poker room, lots of pinball games, video games, pool tables, a full service restaurant, a golf simulator, a full service pro-shop, you get the idea.
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"Things fall apart; the center cannot hold; mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,"

It depends on where I'm bowling.

Sunday league is definitely an "alley." It's old, no tech updates, the wood lanes are rumored to have been resurfaced last in the 1970s, both inside and outside need a coat of paint and there are potholes in the parking lot large enough to swallow up an SUV. Why do I bowl there? It's the toughest shot in the area, and my husband and I are trying to avoid becoming "house" bowlers.

Monday league is in a modern "center" housed inside a casino. It's bright, shiny and new. Most of the time it's clean, even though it's only two and a half years old, there are constant software updates and improvements being made. Why do I bowl there? It's where my pro shop and coach are. It's where I help coach the youth leagues. It's closer to home. And after bowling there's a choice of three restaurants and three bars for celebrating or recuperating depending on that night's scores.

Interestingly, at the alley, everyone who works there bowls, from the counter people to the snack bar girls. Any one of the employees is likely to ask you about joining a league if you show up for open bowling. At the center, the people working the counter, snack bar and bar don't bowl for the most part and don't ask if you're interested in leagues, lessons, or even if you know how to work the scoring system. They put in their time and go home. Go figure.

Deb

Tony

You've been hangin with Susie Minsew!!!  I know it is a respect thing for centers and an image situation.  I grew up in an age where many places were known as Dungeons!!!.  There are still some places I would consider Alleys but Centers are now becoming the proper terms.

Smash49
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Smash49
robert@bowlersslidesock.com
Bowler's Slide Sock: Simply the finest slide product on the planet!  This sock will make you want to throw everything else away!
www.bowlersslidesock.com

Smash,

Couple of places in Big D that I could think of.
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Tracy
If you want to play, train your body.
If you want to win, train your heart.

Around this site I tend to say "bowling center" or "house" but in speech I say bowling alley.  

"Bowlin' alley" just flows off the tongue.  It's like poetry.

Shiv
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Listening to the monotonous staccato of rain on my desk top

I bowl in a "center", I only say that because, like previously said, we have the dance floor, the snack bar, the full pro shop, yada yada yada! I would rather bowl in an "alley" anyways, there a lot more friendly, customer oriented, feels like a family!
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16 years and still going strong! 16 years old that is! The names Warrior Princess, Xena..Warrior Princess
And why would I "saw" pins in half, THATS A WASTE OF PINS!

ive always refered to it as a bowling alley
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90% of the game is 50% mental!

Im not even supposed to be here today!

what did the 5 fingers say to the face...SLAP