The great thing about On The Cheap is I get to tell you about a variety of fun things you can do without spending a lot of money. Maybe it’s catching a movie. Maybe it’s a trip to a zoo or aquarium. Maybe it’s watching a professional sports team.
(Photos courtesy of Pin Chasers in Zephyrhills)
Or, maybe it’s bowling.
Wait.
Bowling?
Like “putting on different shoes and throwing a ball down a lane” bowling?
Yes, bowling.
Everyone’s gone bowling before, but maybe it’s been a while since you gave it a try.
So, whether you’re in a league or haven’t played it in years, you have a few chances to play some games at a big discount. And on some days, it’s absolutely free.
The venue is Pin Chasers, 6816 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.
I don’t have to spend a lot of time describing a bowling alley, do I? It’s really big (32 lanes), it’s clean, and it has automated scoring. But I’d like to point out that it’s also indoors, which means you won’t be subjected to blazing hot temperatures or a sudden downpour while you play. There’s no chance of bowling getting rained out or ruining your clothes, and I consider that a pretty big advantage these days.
A typical game of bowling costs around $6 to $7 (shoe rental is free), and that’s not a bad deal.
But this is On The Cheap, so we’re looking for bigger bargains. And we’ve found them this month during what they call “Bowl Fest.”
On Aug. 22, students in kindergarten through 12th grade can bowl absolutely free from 10 a.m. until noon. That’s two hours of games at no cost whatsoever. If a child hasn’t played before, the staff can help teach them. And they’ll even have face painting for the youngest players.
You don’t have to paint your face to bowl, of course. But it probably doesn’t hurt, either. Maybe the pins will get intimidated and fall down on their own.
Free bowling is a great way to have a fun morning with a child or grandchild, or for friends to get together over the summer.
But what about older players?
Well, on Aug. 19, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., women can bowl for free. And it’s the guys’ turn on Aug. 27 during those same hours.
So if you want a night out with friends, while remaining friendly with your budget, keep those dates in mind. No face painting, but they’ll have snacks and beverages, too.
Those are great deals, and if you want to bowl at other times (or just want to play more), Pin Chasers has specials just about every night as well.
On Mondays, you can buy a $5 wristband and play for just $1 per game, with $1 drafts, soda and hot dogs. On Thursdays, they have unlimited bowling from 9 p.m. until closing for just $10, with drink specials as well. On Sunday nights, it’s the same deal, but it’s $9.33. On Tuesdays, unlimited bowling starts at 9:30 p.m., for $9.99 and includes free pizza. Then they have cyber bowling on the weekends and buy-one-get-one-free games starting Aug. 22 and running through Sept. 6. That’s a lot of bowling.
Oh, there’s one more: On Labor Day (Sept. 7), you can bowl from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., for $10. That’s 12 hours of unlimited bowling. I admit that staying there the whole time might be a little much. Maybe you’d like to see your family and eat lunch that day. But it’s nice to know that you can play as many games as you want for one low price.
Whether you play every few weeks or haven’t been inside a bowling alley in years, the next few weeks are perfect for grabbing a ball (don’t worry, they have plenty) and having some fun.
They’re open every day, rain or shine. And in Florida, it’s probably rain and shine. So maybe it’s best to stay inside, and work on your strikes and spares instead.
For more information, call (813) 782-5511 or visit PinChasers.net.
Published August 12, 2015
