AMF Noble Manor Lanes

Is this the first bowling alley I've been in since moving to Pittsburgh? I can't remember if I've been to one... let alone reviewed one. Alas, BBBS and Bowl for Kids' Sake brought me to Noble Manor Lanes.

It's a bowling alley -- not necessarily dripping with old-school personality, but not a place you'd want to dress up and order a martini either. Place feels cramped, loud and crowded. But it doesn't feel skeevy (that's a huge bonus for bowling alleys). Score keepers are automatic (has that been updated throughout the industry? I feel like there's a vintage alley out there somewhere, where you need to track your own score).

With a large group gathered for the charitable event, they quickly ran out of several sizes of women's' shoes (I lucked out with getting an 8), but the shoes were fairly new in condition. I couldn't find many house balls that fit my strength and my finger span either, but managed with a ball that was heavier than my preference, with holes that fit my fingers. Whatever... free weight-lifting. :)

The lane was SLIPPY (as Yinzers would say). So, careful if you get too close -- I stumbled a few times.

Snackbar: we were provided pop and pizza (it was only a Sunday morning!). The pizza was meh, but what I would expect.

For fun: Noble Lanes seems to promote heavily on its Cosmic bowling sessions for weekends.

It still boggles my mind no one has opened a bowling alley in Robinson.  You either drive up to Neville Island, or hop on the Parkway and head down to Greentree which is where you'll find AMF Noble Manor Lanes.

Easily accessible from the Parkway, NML has above average facilities as far as lanes and equipment is concerned.  Their bowling balls could be better marked, although I did appreciate the "small", "medium", and "large" engraved on the balls to indicate the finger-hole sizes.  (This whole paragraph is a stirring pot of innuendo.)

Service was a bit hit or miss, and it wasn't really all that busy.  The manager is a complete SWEETHEART.  She quickly addressed two issues we had come up and you can tell she wants everyone at the alley to have a good ole time bowling.

For $10 we did two hours of cosmic bowling (shoes included) from 9pm to 11pm, not bad for a random rainy (and these are frequent) Pittsburgh Friday night.  Drink pricing at the bar was a tad on the steep side, two drinks were $12.  But the concession stand gave good sized portions, so at least you don't go hungry once you get your bar tab.

I like the drive to Greentree more than to Neville Island, so I definitely see myself returning to NML.