Vancouver Five Pin Bowling

Many visitors are probably unfamiliar with five pin bowling, a sport invented in Canada at the beginning of the 20th century in Toronto. It is still popular throughout Canada but has never taken off in any other part of the world.

Five pin bowling alleys look a lot like ten pin alleys; the difference is that the alleys are narrower and the five pins (not ten) are smaller.

The game is well suited to kids because the balls, without holes, are smaller, you get three balls per frame instead of two, and you'll often find gutter guards, long inflated tubes that fill up the gutters and prevent wayward balls from straying.

Commodore Lanes and Billiards
838 Granville St.
604-681-1531

Varsity Ridge 5 Pin Bowling Centre
2120 West 15th St.
604-738-5412
Varsity Ridge is located just around the corner from Vancouver's best revival movie house, the Ridge, so you might want to consider going to the movies and bowling on the same afternoon or evening. The Varsity Ridge also has Glow in the Dark Bowling. You can call for their schedule.