Christchurch has the South Island’s best bowling line-up — several modern tenpin venues combining lanes with arcades and laser tag, and a deep network of Canterbury lawn bowls clubs, some with world-class greens.
Whether you want a family day out, a glow-bowling night, or a club where you can learn the game and improve, here’s where to bowl in Christchurch.
Tenpin Bowling in Christchurch
From a big dedicated bowling centre in Waltham to entertainment complexes in the central city and Rolleston, Christchurch’s tenpin scene covers casual play, leagues and party bookings.
Zone Bowling Garden City
- Where: 15–21 Iversen Terrace, Waltham, Christchurch 8011
- Lanes: 18 tenpin lanes
- Food & drink: Gourmet kitchen and licensed bar
- Also: Timezone arcade, laser tag, birthday-party and corporate function rooms; social and competitive leagues; open Mon–Fri 10am–late, Sat–Sun 9am–late
- Web: zonebowling.com · Phone: 03 668 3267
Read our review of Zone Bowling Garden City.
Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
- Where: EntX, central Christchurch [full address TBC]
- Lanes: [TBC]
- Food & drink: Full bar, cocktails, diner food (burgers, snacks); order by QR code to your lane
- Also: Circus-themed; arcade, VR, Holey Moley mini golf and karaoke rooms next door; under-18s permitted until 9pm Sun–Thu / 8pm Fri–Sat; no on-site parking (paid Wilsons nearby)
- Web: archiebrothers.co.nz · Phone: [TBC]
Read our review of Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq.
Full Monty’s (Rolleston)
- Where: Rolleston (Selwyn, ~25 min from central Christchurch) [full address TBC]
- Lanes: 14 lanes with interactive scoring and lighting
- Food & drink: Dining options on site
- Also: Arcade games, virtual golf and karaoke; popular for families, birthdays and groups; peak times/school holidays book out fast
- Web: [TBC] · Phone: [TBC]
Read our review of Full Monty’s.
Lawn Bowls Clubs in Christchurch
Lawn bowls is a Canterbury strength — the regional body, Bowls Canterbury, works with more than 50 clubs and runs extensive coaching, from beginner courses to youth high-performance squads. Below is a selection; the full directory is at bowlscanterbury.co.nz.
Bowls Canterbury (regional body)
- Where: Fendalton Park, 28a Makora Street, Fendalton, Christchurch 8540
- Greens: n/a (governing body)
- Members & play: The Centre for 50+ Canterbury clubs; runs coaching courses, pre-season programmes, secondary-schools competition and youth coaching
- Also: Best first point of contact to find your nearest club or a coaching pathway
- Web: bowlscanterbury.co.nz · Phone: 03 351 2050
Read our review of Bowls Canterbury.
Burnside Bowling Club
- Where: 330 Avonhead Road, Avonhead, Christchurch 8042
- Greens: 3 natural Maniototo weed greens (36.6m × 36.6m); summer and winter bowling
- History: Established 1963; with ~250 members it’s the largest club in the Bowls Canterbury Centre and the South Island
- Members & play: All levels; greens rated among the world’s best, having hosted World Bowls 2008 and 2016 and multiple international tests; hosts Bowls Canterbury’s youth high-performance (CYBA) coaching
- Also: Large clubhouse with dining room and lounge bar; function room hire (capacity ~150)
- Web: burnsidebowlingclub.com · Phone: 03 358 4617 · Email: [email protected]
Read our review of Burnside Bowling Club.
Canterbury Bowling Club
- Where: Christchurch Central [full address TBC]
- Greens: [TBC]
- Members & play: Open to ages 8–90, social or competitive; experienced coaches led by a head coach, with continuing coaching through early summer and occasional international masterclasses; over 75% of members started at the club’s April Open Day
- Also: Free coaching and loan bowls for newcomers (flat-soled shoes the only requirement); reduced subscription for members joining after 1 June
- Web: canterburybowlingclub.com · Phone: [TBC]
Read our review of Canterbury Bowling Club.
Recommended For
- Best for families & kids: Zone Bowling Garden City (bumper lanes, arcade and laser tag under one roof) or Full Monty’s in Rolleston for Selwyn families.
- Best for a night out: Archie Brothers in the central city — cocktails, lane-side ordering, plus mini golf and karaoke next door.
- Best for groups & parties: Zone Bowling Garden City and Archie Brothers both run party and group packages.
- Best for joining a tenpin league: Zone Bowling Garden City runs social and competitive leagues.
- Best for learning lawn bowls & improving: Canterbury Bowling Club, with free beginner coaching and loan bowls; Burnside for serious development (world-class greens and the CYBA youth squad). Contact Bowls Canterbury for coaching pathways.
Getting There & Practical Tips
- Booking: Book tenpin ahead for evenings, weekends and school holidays — Full Monty’s and the city venues fill up.
- Parking: Zone Bowling (Waltham) and Full Monty’s (Rolleston) have easy parking; Archie Brothers in the central city has no on-site parking (use paid Wilsons nearby).
- Under-18s at Archie Brothers: permitted until 9pm Sun–Thu and 8pm Fri–Sat; ID needed after 8pm or to buy alcohol.
- Lawn bowls: Many clubs hold an Open Day (often April) with free coaching and loan bowls — a low-commitment way to try the game. Phone ahead for casual roll-ups.
- Best time to visit: Tenpin venues are great rainy-day options; lawn bowls clubs like Burnside run summer and winter bowling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go tenpin bowling in Christchurch? The main venues are Zone Bowling Garden City (18 lanes, Waltham), Archie Brothers at EntX in the central city, and Full Monty’s in Rolleston (14 lanes), just outside the city.
Which Christchurch venue is best for kids’ parties? Zone Bowling Garden City and Full Monty’s both cater well to children’s parties with bumper lanes and party packages; Archie Brothers suits older kids and teens.
Where can I learn lawn bowls in Christchurch? Canterbury Bowling Club offers free beginner coaching and lends bowls — you just need flat-soled shoes. Many clubs run an April Open Day, and Bowls Canterbury can point you to coaching courses and your nearest club.
Where do serious bowlers play in Christchurch? Burnside Bowling Club in Avonhead has greens rated among the world’s best and has hosted World Bowls championships; it’s also a base for Bowls Canterbury’s youth high-performance coaching.
Where can I bowl on a rainy day in Christchurch? All tenpin venues — Zone Bowling Garden City, Archie Brothers and Full Monty’s — are fully indoor, making them reliable wet-weather options.