Gehris Lanes Bowling Center

Now, I haven't been to Lucky Strikes in Center City but I have been to Gehri's every Wednesday night during the school year for the last 2 years.  Great great great place that's easily accessible by the Market-Frankford line (65th Street stop).  It's probably not as nice as your typical bowling alley in your suburb but it's got that old school feel, the games are cheap and the lanes are open late.  The approaches can be a little sticky but they oil the lanes consistently and have made a lot of renovations in the last year.  A repairman is on site at all times and if anything goes wrong, like your pin machine breaks or your ball isn't returned, he is on it immediately.

Smitty works the front desk on nights here and has a heart of gold.  He recently got married and I swear you could not find a more happy-go-lucky guy.  They just upgraded their kitchen to be a "cafe" but it's still a lot of fried foods.  I've had the funnel cake, chicken wrap, salad, pizza (cheese and pepperoni), hot dog (w/ chopped raw onions, ketchup & mustard), french fries (w/ lots of hot sauce), chicken fingers (w/ bbq sauce and honey mustard sauce on the side), spaghetti and meatballs.  All are good, the cooks are super friendly altho the food is a little bit slow, which is ok in the end since you're busy bowling!

My bf played in a summer league this year (every Monday for 14 weeks) following Smitty's suggestion so you can see how welcoming this place is.  There are plenty of balls (not crap house balls w/ no core or plastic balls, they are used legit balls but you have to hunt for one that your fingers will fit in) and shoes (old school blue and red ones) that you and your friends can borrow and there is even a pro shop where they've got accessories and will drill a new ball for you (Bobby's schedule is unpredictable and doesn't come in before 6, but he's great)!  Definitely check it out but call beforehand to make sure there is open bowl because there are so many leagues that play here!