What’s Like an Airbnb for a Bowling Alley?

Hosting an event at a bowling alley is a fun, low-key way to get together with friends, family or co-workers in a relaxed environment. If you’re thinking about hosting a group at a bowling alley without the hassle of other bowlers, you might have considered renting an Airbnb with a bowling alley for a fun day at the lanes.

That idea sounds great — in theory. But not only does Airbnb have a strict no-party policy, they also don’t offer hourly rentals. So even if your group size meets Airbnb requirements, you’re still looking at paying for at least an overnight stay.

Still, what are the actual rules for hosting a bowling party at an Airbnb? Is there something like an Airbnb for a bowling alley? Or are your options limited to finding the nearest bowling alley and hoping it’s within your budget?

There’s no need to fret — we’ve figured it out for you. This guide explains why an Airbnb with a bowling alley might not fit the bill, what your other options are, and how to find a bowling alley rental that works for your event.


Pro Tip: Airbnb might be a gutter ball when it comes to parties—they focus on overnight stays and typically prohibit events. Peerspace, on the other hand, is a strike for party planners, offering unique spaces you can book by the hour. So, you can roll into your gathering stress-free and focus on having a ball!


Table of Contents:

Can You Use Airbnb to Rent Bowling Alleys?

father and daughter bowling
Source: Pexels / Anastasia Shuraeva

Quick Answer: It Depends.

Airbnb does feature home rentals that include bowling alleys. However, the bowling alley is often considered an additional perk that guests can enjoy as a result of renting the house for overnight stays.

Where Airbnb Falls Short for Bowling Alley Rentals

Modern Duckpin Bowling Lounge
Source: Peerspace

No Hourly Pricing

When most people consider renting something like a bowling alley for a gathering, they’re looking at being in the space for a few hours at most. Airbnb doesn’t offer hourly rentals, and paying for an overnight stay when you only need a small portion of the space for a limited time can be expensive.

Better Alternative: Peerspace lets you book a space that meets your activity, location, and budget needs.

No Clear Guest Limits

Some Airbnbs do accommodate large groups — but those types of spaces aren’t widely available. And with Airbnb’s no-party restriction, you may not be able to host the event you want, even if you do find a large enough space.

Better Alternative: To ensure you have enough room to host all of your guests, use Peerspace to find a venue with a bowling alley that meets the needs of your invite list.

How Much Is Something Like an Airbnb for Bowling?

a little girl bowling at an alley
Source: Unsplash / April Walker

The cost of renting a space with a bowling alley depends on several factors.

Venue type — Designated bowling facilities may vary in terms of whether they rent out individual lanes or require guests to rent the entire facility. Private bowling alleys may offer fewer lanes but could come at a better price.

Event duration — Spaces with bowling alleys are likely to charge by the hour, though some may have minimum hour requirements to secure a reservation.

Amenities — Does the space offer food and beverage on site? Do they have bowling shoes or bowling balls available for guest use? The more amenities the space offers, the more the cost might be impacted.

How to Find a Space Like an Airbnb with a Bowling Alley

man bowling at a bowling alley
Source: Pexels / Pavel Danilyuk

Finding a bowling alley for your event might seem easy enough, but depending on what you’re envisioning, there might be more to consider than you think.

Bowling alleys can be crowded, leaving you and your guests waiting for lanes to open up (and hoping they’ll be near each other). Renting out an entire bowling alley solves the issue of reserving your ideal lanes — but the cost might be more than you want to pay for a smaller get-together.

We’ve broken down some of the most important factors to consider when searching for the right bowling alley rental.

Understand Event Policies

To ensure you can host an event with just your guests (meaning parts of the venue aren’t still open to the public), look for a space that guarantees private events. From there, check on the following:

  • Restrictions on the number of guests
  • On-site help during the event in case equipment malfunctions
  • Number of lanes available, and how many people can bowl on a lane
  • Cancellation policy

Understand the Space’s Amenities and Other Requirements

With the right amenities, you can help your guests have fun while feeling comfortable, too. Find out how many guests the space can hold and if there’s enough parking on-site to accommodate the guest list. Also, consider if the space needs to be accessible for guests with disabilities.

Other questions to help you plan include:

  • Do you need or want bumpers, ramps, or other bowling aids?
  • Are bowling shoes or bowling balls available for rent? If not, are certain types of shoes required or not permitted?
  • Is catered food permitted, or is there a snack bar, restaurant, or another food and beverage option on site? Is alcohol permitted?
  • Are other activities available, such as arcade games or pool tables?

Get Clear on Cost

Ask about the rental cost and any additional fees up front so you know what to expect when the bill arrives. In addition to a reservation fee, the space you reserve may also charge a cleaning fee or require a security deposit. The following questions can help you figure the actual cost:

  • Is there an hourly minimum?
  • Is there a cleaning fee?
  • Are there costs associated with food service?
  • Discounted rates for groups or a certain number of guests?

Once you find the perfect bowling alley rental, communicate regularly with the host to ensure you’re on the same page about any pre- and post-event requirements. Regular communication can help you avoid any misunderstandings that could negatively impact your event.


Pro Tip: If the host allows on-site visits before booking, take them up on it! This can give you a better idea of what to plan for.


Airbnb vs. Peerspace for Bowling Alleys

man bowling at bowling alley
Source: Pexels / David Guerrero

If you’re looking to book a space with a bowling alley, both Airbnb and Peerspace offer options, but they cater to different needs. While Airbnb works well for residential stays with a bowling alley, it’s restrictive and costly for events. Peerspace, on the other hand, offers flexibility, affordability, and event-ready spaces that make it a better choice for your next bowling alley gathering. With Peerspace, you’ll find:

Event-Friendly Spaces: Peerspace is designed for hosting events, offering venues with bowling alleys that welcome gatherings of all kinds.

Hourly Rentals: Instead of paying for a one-night stay, you can book a bowling alley space by the hour, making it more cost-effective for shorter events.

Flexibility: Peerspace provides a variety of spaces tailored to your specific needs, whether it’s for a birthday party, team-building event, or casual hangout.

Budget-Friendly: You only pay for what you use, ensuring the price aligns with your budget.

Start Your Bowling Alley Search on Peerspace

Retro Bowling Alley
Source: Peerspace

Finding the ideal bowling alley space on Peerspace is easy. Here’s how it works:

1. Visit Peerspace – Head to Peerspace.com or download the app.

2. Enter Your Details – Select the type of event, then choose your location, date, and event timeframe.

3. Filter Your Search – Narrow your options by searching for spaces with bowling alleys. Use the keyword “bowling alley” to find venues near you with the exact activity you want for your guests. You can add other filters at this stage, too, to find your ideal space.

4. Check Amenities – Scan the results for the must-have features you outlined earlier — food service options, on-site parking, whatever you need to make your guests feel comfortable. 

5. Message the Host – Ask questions, discuss special requests, and confirm details. Now’s the time to get clear on what bowling essentials are available at the space and what guests should plan to bring for themselves. 

6. Book Your Venue – Confirm your reservation and get your bowling shoes ready for a night at the lanes! You can look forward to a fun event knowing that with Peerspace, you and your guests can get together in a space designed for parties.


Pro Tip: Download the Peerspace app to easily browse bowling alley options and book your space. Get the app on iOS or on Android.


Find a Bowling Alley for Your Next Event with Peerspace

a man bowling at an alley
Source: Unsplash / José Juan Rosa

Planning an event at a bowling alley should be all about fun and strikes—not stress and spare options. Why complicate things with venues that require overnight stays or come with unnecessary limitations? Instead, focus on finding the perfect location that fits your budget, timing, and must-have amenities, like:

  • Enough lanes for your group
  • Shoe rental
  • A snack bar for those mid-game cravings

Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, corporate outing, or just a casual night out with friends, Peerspace makes it easy to find the right bowling alley for your event. Browse a variety of unique spaces, from retro-themed alleys to modern lanes with all the bells and whistles, ensuring your event is a perfect 300.

Head to Peerspace to roll into your next adventure and score the ideal venue for your bowling bash!

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