Auckland is home to New Zealand’s biggest and most varied bowling scene. Whether you’re after a tenpin alley for a family outing, a glow-bowling night with mates, or a lawn bowls club to join and improve your game, the city has options spread right across the central suburbs, North Shore, East and West Auckland. This guide rounds up where to bowl in Auckland — tenpin and lawn bowls alike.
Tenpin Bowling in Auckland
Auckland has the largest concentration of tenpin alleys in the country, from slick CBD venues with bars and restaurants to big family entertainment centres combining bowling with arcades, laser tag and bumper cars.
Metrolanes
- Where: CBD, Auckland [full address TBC]
- Lanes: 12 full-size + 4 mini-bowling
- Food & drink: Full bar and restaurant, cocktails
- Also: Movie & bowling packages, student discounts, kids’ parties
- Web: metrolanes.co.nz · Phone: [TBC]
Read our review of Metrolanes.
Newmarket Tenpin Bowling
- Where: 6/2 York Street, Newmarket, Auckland 1030
- Lanes: 16
- Food & drink: Licensed bar, snacks
- Also: Pool tables, extensive arcade, gaming machines (opened 2006)
- Web: newmarketbowling.co.nz · Phone: [TBC]
Read our review of Newmarket Tenpin Bowling.
Zone Bowling Botany
- Where: 500A Ti Rakau Drive, Botany, Auckland
- Lanes: [TBC]
- Food & drink: Cafe, Burger Alley
- Also: Laser tag, bumper cars, Timezone arcade, disco bowling Fri/Sat
- Web: zonebowling.com · Phone: [TBC]
Read our review of Zone Bowling Botany.
Zone Bowling Wairau
- Where: 10 Target Court, Wairau Valley, North Shore
- Lanes: [TBC]
- Food & drink: Food & beverages
- Also: Arcade, laser tag, parties
- Web: zonebowling.com · Phone: [TBC]
Read our review of Zone Bowling Wairau.
PINS (Lincoln, Henderson)
- Where: 28-30 Catherine Street, Henderson, West Auckland
- Lanes: [TBC]
- Food & drink: Food & drinks
- Also: Kids’ zone, glow bowling, open 9:30am–midnight
- Web: pins.co.nz · Phone: [TBC]
Read our review of PINS Lincoln Henderson.
Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
- Where: Westfield Newmarket, Central Auckland
- Lanes: [TBC]
- Food & drink: Bar, burgers, cocktails
- Also: Circus-themed; arcade, dodgems, VR
- Web: archiebrothers.co.nz · Phone: [TBC]
Read our review of Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq.
Arena Entertainment
- Where: 22 Corinthian Drive, Albany, North Shore
- Lanes: [TBC]
- Food & drink: [TBC]
- Also: Entertainment complex [details TBC]
- Web: arenaentertainment.co.nz · Phone: [TBC]
Read our review of Arena Entertainment.
Lawn Bowls Clubs in Auckland
Auckland has a long lawn bowls tradition — the Auckland Bowling Club, formed in 1861, opened the country’s first green. Today dozens of clubs across the region welcome new members, casual players and corporate groups, with many offering coaching and social “twilight” leagues.
Takapuna Bowling Club
- Where: 9-17 Bracken Avenue, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
- Greens: 2 (1 natural, 1 all-weather carpet)
- Members & play: ~190 members; competitive, social, corporate & collegiate bowls
- Also: “Krak A Jack” twilight league Nov–Mar; off-street parking; clubrooms [catering TBC]
- Web: sporty.co.nz/takapunabowls · Phone: [TBC]
Read our review of Takapuna Bowling Club.
Ponsonby Bowling Club
- Where: 105A Jervois Road, Auckland 1011
- Greens: 2 all-weather
- History: Established 1893, one of Auckland’s oldest clubs
- Also: Club day Thursdays 3pm; corporate & social events; modern clubrooms
- Web: ponsonbybowls.nz · Phone: +64 9 376 3313
Read our review of Ponsonby Bowling Club.
Carlton Cornwall Bowling Club
- Where: Epsom, Auckland [full address TBC]
- Greens: [TBC]
- History: Historic club (hosted 1950 Empire Games bowls)
- Also: [membership details TBC]
- Web: carltoncornwallbowls.co.nz · Phone: [TBC]
Read our review of Carlton Cornwall Bowling Club.
Recommended For…
- Best for families & kids: PINS (Henderson) with its dedicated kids’ zone and gutter guards, or Zone Bowling Botany for the full entertainment-centre experience.
- Best for a night out: Metrolanes in the CBD pairs full-size lanes with a proper bar and restaurant; Archie Brothers brings the cocktails-and-circus vibe.
- Best for groups & parties: Zone Bowling Botany or Wairau, with bowling plus laser tag, bumper cars and arcades under one roof.
- Best for joining a league or improving (tenpin): Newmarket and the Zone Bowling centres run social leagues — check current schedules.
- Best for lawn bowls & improving: Takapuna Bowling Club (active leagues, all-year carpet green) and Ponsonby Bowling Club (welcoming, historic). For coaching pathways, contact Bowls Auckland.
Getting There & Practical Tips
- Booking: For tenpin, booking ahead is strongly recommended on evenings and weekends — most venues book online.
- Parking: Suburban centres (Botany, Wairau, Henderson) have easy parking; CBD venues like Metrolanes and Archie Brothers are best reached by public transport or paid parking.
- R18 hours: Some CBD and bar-focused venues become R18 later in the evening — check the venue’s age policy if bringing children at night.
- Peak times: Weekend afternoons and school holidays are busiest; mornings and weekday afternoons are quieter and often cheaper.
- Lawn bowls: Most clubs run casual “have-a-go” sessions and club days — phone ahead, as greens and clubrooms may be booked for competitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go bowling in Auckland on a rainy day? All tenpin venues are fully indoor — Metrolanes (CBD), Newmarket Tenpin, the Zone Bowling centres (Botany, Wairau, Henderson area), PINS and Archie Brothers are all weatherproof options. Many lawn bowls clubs also have all-weather artificial greens for year-round play.
Which Auckland venues are best for kids’ birthday parties? PINS, Zone Bowling Botany and Wairau, and Newmarket Tenpin all cater for kids’ parties with bumper lanes, lighter balls and party packages.
Can I bowl in Auckland CBD? Yes — Metrolanes is in the central city with 12 full-size lanes plus a bar and restaurant, and Archie Brothers is at Westfield Newmarket just south of the CBD.
How do I join a lawn bowls club in Auckland? Contact a local club directly — Takapuna and Ponsonby both welcome new members and casual players. Bowls Auckland, the regional body, can point you toward your nearest club and coaching programmes.
Do Auckland tenpin alleys run leagues? Several do, including Newmarket and the Zone Bowling centres. Ask at the venue or check their website for current league nights and formats.