Bowl Your Way Back to the 1930s

Bowling alleys are  home of first kisses, fun with friends and playful games with your longtime honey. The experiences and memories we create by gathering together over , beer and bowling balls can last a lifetime and has all the ingredients to create a positive, lasting memory. 

Since 1936, this local treasure on Honolulu Avenue in downtown Montrose has been keeping children, teens and adults from all over the San Gabriel Valley entertained. And owner Bob Berger is a second-generation bowling aficionado; his family acquired the business over 30 years ago. “It’s the oldest and smallest operating bowling alley in L.A. County,” said Berger.

Berger spends almost all of his time personally tending to the customers at Montrose Bowl, working behind the counter and serving up wine, beer, sodas and snacks. 

“Weekends are always booked with private parties,” said Berger. “Birthday parties, wedding receptions, baby showers, rehearsal dinners, company parties, you name it. People can bring their own in. They just have to buy our drinks,” he added. 

And if bowling the perfect strike isn’t in the cards for your game, feel free to sip away on one of the 70 choices of beers, sink your teeth into a slice of cheesy pizza or rock out to some oldies. “We have a sound system so people can bring their own music if they want,” said Berger.

Open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., this one-of-a-kind bowling alley has some famous lanes strutting their stuff in films like Teen Wolf, Pleasantville, Frankie and Johnny and The Outsiders, just to name a few. So, don’t be surprised if you feel somewhat reminiscent of a long lost childhood from the 60’s, 70’s or 80’s because it is likely you will experience déjà vu upon entering this nostalgic location.

During the day, plenty of day camps visit the old bowl for some indoor fun because not unlike other bowling alleys, kids birthday parties ages 4-13 make up the largest clientele at . However, reminiscing about a time when things were simpler is a fine enough reason that adults visit the bowling alley for some fond memories. 

And with old fashioned scoring, make sure your friends don’t cheat because the days of electronic score boards would simply conflict against the old school ambience, retro feel and original bowling racks. The arcade games are updated for the proficient gamer, but much else has remained in the same condition it was 75 years ago when the average yearly wage was $1,713, the average cost of a home was $3,925 and President Roosevelt was re-elected.

“Come in on Monday night,” recommends Berger. “Monday night open bowling is $25 dollars an hour up to 5 people per lane starting at 5:30 p.m. We have a DJ, beer specials and rock n’ roll. We play everything from oldies to progressive pop, anything depending on the crowd.”

Friend Montrose Bowl on Facebook here. Check out the lanes at 2334 Honolulu Ave. or call them at 818-249-3895.