South Bowl opens ultimate backyard experience, The Yard

-Courtesy of En Route Marketing

South Bowl (19 East Oregon Avenue) is a multi-faceted bowling  alley and event venue that opened in 2014. In 2019, South Bowl added to its entertainment complex by  launching Philadelphia’s ultimate backyard experience, The Yard, making it a top gaming destination in  the region. The 5,000 square-foot adjacent outdoor oasis gives visitors the perfect backdrop to spend  time with friends while playing various games under the sun. The Yard is home to slow and fast-pitch  batting cages, two 40-foot-long bocce courts, shuffleboard, horseshoes, an outdoor arcade area with  billiards, and a full bar with seating. Bocce Ball league play will occur twice a week at The Yard through  fall.  

Inside, the 25,000-square-foot bi-level space has been renovated from a former tomato and vegetable  packing plant to a stylish retro bowling space. South Bowl can accommodate 600 guests and boasts 26  bowling lanes, two full-sized bars, multiple lounges, and a rooftop deck. Another highlight of the facility is its extensive mix of games, from billiard tables to over 20 retro arcade games, foosball, darts, and air  hockey.  

South Bowl utilizes state-of-the-art Qubica AMF bowling lanes with BES X, the latest bowler  entertainment and scoring systems technology. South Bowl offers bumpers and the necessary  equipment to help get the ball rolling for little ones. The bowling alleys are spread throughout the  complex and designed to present bowlers with a range of experiences. The main hall features 16 lanes,  used for regular and league play. Each lane can host up to six players. Even the bowling alley seating is  unique; benches were built using reclaimed pre-1940 Maplewood from shuttered bowling alleys  throughout Pennsylvania and upstate New York. 

For larger groups looking for a more intimate experience, South Bowl offers a private six-lane bowling  alley on the first floor and a four-lane bowling alley located on the mezzanine level. Lanes are available  on a first-come, first-served basis. All areas of South Bowl, including the entirety of the building and The Yard, are available for event rentals, including birthday parties, bar/bat mitzvahs, corporate events,  fundraisers, weddings, baby showers, and holiday parties. The main floor has a stage for special events,  and throughout the venue, there is an enhanced integrative AV system. 

With South Bowl’s size, it is the perfect space for bowling league play. Leagues run Tuesday through  Thursday nights, starting at 7 p.m. Teams consist of up to six players, with four bowlers per game. Teams  bowl three games each night. New leagues begin in June; interested groups can learn more here. 

A short walk to the Philadelphia Sports Complex, South Bowl is the perfect venue to tailgate before sporting events during any season. Guests can also enjoy games from South Bowl by staying up-to-date  on their favorite Philly teams throughout the evening and watching on seven large screens located  throughout the site. There are also four projectors in the central bowling alley, two in the game area,  and one upstairs. Additional televisions are placed throughout South Bowl to ensure guests can check  the latest scores. Prefer to groove to tunes? DJs entertain guests on Friday and Saturday nights on the  main floor. 

Unlike its sister site, North Bowl, owner Oron Daskal wanted South Bowl to expand services beyond just  bowling. The South Philadelphia location allowed for that. “South Bowl is an experience, a destination,” said Daskal. “The space is purposely designed to provide a multitude of indoor and outdoor options to  keep visitors of all ages entertained for hours.” 

With all of the complex’s activities, guests are sure to work up an appetite. South Bowl’s kitchen and  pizza bar are equipped with a wood-fire pizza oven dishing out hand-tossed pies made from locally sourced ingredients. Favorites include the American Red Hot with red sauce, hand-cut pepperoni, long  hots, Fresno Chili Peppers, fresh mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, and hot honey garlic oil, and the  Shroomin’ Pizza with garlic white sauce, roasted mushrooms, caramelized onions, fresh mozzarella,  sage, truffle oil crust, and Pecorino Romano. The menu also features elevated pub fare ranging from  burgers, wings, tacos, and a selection of loaded tater tots, to salads and vegetarian options.  

Thirsty? South Bowl serves up signature cocktails and local brews on tap, including Love City Unity IPA  and Victory Brotherly Love. Crowd favorites from the bar include the Malbec Margarita and House Old  Fashioned. South Bowl is open Tuesday to Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight and Saturday to Sunday from 2 p.m. to  midnight. The Yard is open Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 11 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from  2 to 11 p.m. Hours for The Yard may vary due to weather; please call ahead to confirm availability at  215-389-2695. Guests can use the free parking lot adjacent to South Bowl or complimentary street  parking. A parent or guardian must accompany children under the age of 18. After 9 p.m., South Bowl is  21 and older.