Newly Renovated Bowlero To Host Grand Opening Saturday in Bethesda

Bowling alley to debut new menu offering ‘mega’ food at event featuring visit from Washington Redskins running back Chris Thompson

Glynis Kazanjian

Bowlero Bethesda will officially unveil its new look and brand Saturday—including menus that offers ‘mega’ food and drinks meant to be shared—when it hosts a grand opening celebration featuring Washington Redskins running back Chris Thompson.

The festivities, which will include one free game of bowling and a $5 arcade coupon for customers, will begin at 11 a.m. and last until 2 p.m.

“We are changing what traditional bowling looks like,” said Allen Morrison district manager for Bowlero Corp.

The renovated bowling center, formerly known as Bowlmor Bethesda, is at 5353 Westbard Ave., just off River Road. It will feature 34 bowling lanes with high-tech video walls, retro-rustic décor, a new sports bar and revamped lounge area, and new food and drink menus.

The venue also has a new interactive arcade, which includes an array of games including The Giant Crane, Mario Kart and Hot Shot Basketball—plus the classics, darts and billiards.

“There will be music videos, football games and ’80s movies, like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Top Gun, playing on the screens,” Morrison said. “It’s kind of nostalgic at night—you’re out with friends at it takes you back.”

Morrison said the new menus will feature “oversized shareables”—food and drink portions large enough for multiple people to share. Some of the new items include an XXL Party Pretzel, the Coney Mega Dog—a 2-foot-long hot dog—and the Alley Sampler of five appetizers, plus Mega Mules and Dunk Tank cocktails large enough to serve as many as six people. The bowling center offers new plush seating, bowling balls and shoes, Morrison said.

The center remained open while renovations were underway. Bowlero Corp., which owns all Bowlero, AMF, Bowlmor and Brunswick Zone bowling centers, is the largest owner and operator of bowling centers in the world, according to a company press release. Bowlero Bethesda is the third of Bowlero Corp.’s bowling entertainment centers to open in Maryland, joining locations in College Park and Timonium. Currently there are 50 locations in the U.S., with plans to open 90 by 2020.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated to correct the type of ‘mega’ food included on the menu.