Bowling Mascot

Mascot has one of Sydney's more unusual bowling alleys. Manhattan Superbowl on Gardeners Road first opened as a bowling alley in 1961, spent decades as offices, and reopened in 1993 after renovators found the original timber lanes under the carpet. Today its 24 lanes are dressed in mid-century Americana, with Route 66 memorabilia, the Pontiac Bar, a beer garden, a diner and an arcade of more than 30 games. The Newmarket Hotel next door works hand in hand with the alley, so a group gets a pub and a bowling night in the same trip, which suits adult birthdays, farewells and end-of-year work parties.

Before you book a group night in Mascot:

• Getting there: there is a private car park off Tramway Street, with more street parking nearby, which makes it easy for guests driving in from other parts of Sydney.
• The experience: up to six people share a lane, bowling shoes are included, and disco bowling, the arcade and a vintage photo booth give non-bowlers something to do between frames.
• Group size: the adult function packages are based on at least 10 guests, lane bookings for up to 15 can be requested online, and bigger groups go through the functions team.
• Booking lead time: function packages need a 20% deposit to secure them, so lock in the date once numbers are roughly settled and call the functions team early for anything over 15.
• Food and drinks: packages include shared food, from wood-fired pizzas up to charcuterie boards, and the group can run a bar tab with its own limit or pay as it goes.

Casual bowling starts from $18 per person for one game Monday to Thursday, and function packages start from $55 per person midweek, with two games and a winner's trophy included. Outside food and drink are not allowed, apart from a birthday cake. Under-18s are welcome before 10pm and after that only with a parent or guardian, so an early family celebration and a late adult party can both work here.