-Courtesy of En Route Marketing
South Bowl (19 East Oregon Avenue) is a multi-faceted bowling alley and event venue that opened in 2015. 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. This year, the 5,000-square-foot adjacent outdoor oasis opens on Wednesday, April 26, and 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 lounge seating. The Yard will also offer rotating food, drink, and batting cage specials during the season. Additionally, The Yard is available for private events.
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. For little ones, South Bowl offers bumpers and the necessary equipment to help get the ball rolling. 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 Monday through Thursday nights, starting at 6:30 p.m. Teams consist of up to six players, with four bowlers per game. Teams bowl three games each night.
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. Not to be missed is the award-winning Burger Verde which features chorizo, green chilis coated in cheese sauce, red onion, cilantro, and chili aioli. The menu also offers 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 Victory Summer Love. Other brews that can be found at South Bowl include Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale, Neshaminy Creek Warehouse, and Yuengling Traditional Lager. Crowd favorites from the bar include the El Jefe Margarita with El Jefe Grande Tempranillo, House Rosé Sangria, and Tokyo Gin Fizz. Check out the entire food and drink menu HERE.
South Bowl is open Monday to Friday from 5 to 1 a.m. and Saturday to Sunday from noon to 1 a.m. The Yard is open Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 11 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 1 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 8 p.m., South Bowl is 21 and older.
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