Ottawa's bowling options range from Canada's own five-pin game, invented to be a gentler alternative to ten-pin, to newer ten-pin arrivals with full arcades and bars attached. This list was compiled by checking each business's own website alongside public review platforms like Tripadvisor and Yelp. We could verify eight bowling alleys currently operating in and around Ottawa, so that is what appears below rather than a padded-out ten.
1. Merivale Bowling Centre
Area: Merivale Road, Nepean · Specialty: five-pin bowling · Rating: 4.0 on Tripadvisor (25 reviews)
Merivale bills itself as Ottawa's biggest five-pin alley, with 48 computerized lanes, a fully licensed restaurant, and an arcade attached. It runs Rock'N'Bowling glow sessions on Friday and Saturday nights, and reviewers describe a genuinely family-friendly setup for birthday parties and casual leagues, though a few mention inconsistent staffing and arcade upkeep on busier nights. It suits big groups and families who want food, games, and bowling under one roof without leaving Nepean.
2. Splitsville Kanata
Area: Kanata Entertainment Centrum, Kanata · Specialty: ten-pin bowling · Since: March 2025
Splitsville opened in March 2025 as Ottawa's newest and biggest dedicated ten-pin venue, with 18 lanes inside a 26,000 square foot space that also holds a modern arcade and a full lounge menu. Reviewers praise the clean, organized setup and reasonable student pricing, though some note the bar service can feel understaffed and the pace rushed on peak nights. It's the pick for west-end residents in Kanata, Stittsville, and Barrhaven who want a proper ten-pin experience close to home.
3. West Park Bowling
Area: Wellington Street West, Hintonburg · Specialty: five-pin bowling · Rating: 4.0 on Tripadvisor (2 reviews) · Since: 1946
Opened in 1946, West Park is Ottawa's oldest bowling alley and sits attached to Fil's Diner and an Irish pub, giving it a genuinely old-school, low-lit charm. Regulars describe it as small, a little dated, and all the better for it, with friendly staff and a connected diner that makes it easy to turn a game into a full evening out. It's best suited to people chasing nostalgia over a polished modern setup, and for casual groups who don't mind a cozy, retro room.
4. Orleans Bowling Centre
Area: Taylor Creek Drive, Orleans · Specialty: five-pin bowling with automatic bumpers · Rating: 3.5 on Yelp · Since: 1989
Running since 1989, Orleans Bowling Centre has 32 automatic bumper lanes alongside Striker's Billiards, dart boards, and a youth bowling league for ages 4 to 19. Reviews mention friendly staff and decent bar food as consistent strengths, with mixed opinions on pricing. Its bumper lanes and youth program make it a strong choice for families with young kids in the east end.
5. Wolves Den Games Room
Area: Algonquin College, Woodroffe campus, Nepean · Specialty: ten-pin bowling
Tucked inside Algonquin College's Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre, the Wolves Den runs one of Ottawa's only ten-pin setups outside Splitsville, six lanes alongside an HD golf simulator and three pool tables, with a kitchen so you can order food right at the lane. Small groups can pre-book lanes by emailing or calling ahead. It's a solid option for anyone near the Woodroffe campus who wants ten-pin bowling paired with a golf sim and pub food in one visit.
6. Centre Francophone de Vanier
Area: Marier Avenue, Vanier · Specialty: five-pin bowling
This Vanier community centre has run five-pin lanes for close to 75 years, and residents rallied publicly in 2019 to keep the lanes open when the centre faced a funding shortfall. It functions as much as a neighbourhood gathering spot as a bowling alley, drawing longtime locals and francophone community groups rather than the party-package crowd. It suits anyone looking for an unpretentious, community-rooted lane over a commercial entertainment complex.
7. Gerry Lines Bowling Alley
Area: Fourth Line Road, North Gower · Specialty: five-pin bowling
Run by the volunteer-led North Gower Recreation Association, Gerry Lines is a small rural bowling alley within Ottawa's city limits that also hosts cosmic bowling nights, billiards, and arcade games. Its small scale and volunteer management give it a distinctly community-hall feel rather than a commercial one. It's best for families in Ottawa's rural south end looking for a low-key, low-cost outing rather than a big night-out venue.
