We have never been candle pin bowling before. This place is as authentic as you can get. If you're looking for lights and sounds, this is not the place for you. It seems like it hasn't been changed since it opened. That was okay with us. The snacks and drinks were vending machines. The bathroom was clean and functioning. The lanes were well kept. The shoes were well maintained. The owner was very polite and patient as we had no idea how to score and were figuring out how to reset the pins on the go. We had a good time. If you want something other than chips and soda, you'll need to bring it. No alcohol allowed though. read more

Doesn't look like much, but if you're into some classic candlestick bowling this is your spot. Old school vibe on the inside but provided fun. I like that fact you can byob and food and get to the lanes! read more

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Having lived in East Boston for over two years - I was shocked to find out there's a bowling alley on Saratoga Road - once I found out I had to visit. The place is easy to miss but once you're inside, the place just emanates history and tradition. The place is old and very different than a modern place like Lucky Strikes. Expect to have to keep score the old fashioned way on paper and to have to manually reset the lanes after every round. I had a blast playing candlestick bowling with friends. Total per hour per person with rental bowling shoes is 10 dollars. read more

Fantastic old school candlepin bowling in Eastie. Just like Sacco's Bowl Haven in Somerville before it was taken over by the Flatbread restaurant and renovated. Two floors of bowling and kids' leagues on the weekend. read more

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I'm convinced that there's no way to get a strike here! Anyway the place is mad fun, especially when you BYOB. Went with a group for a birthday party and had a blast especially being able to pick your own music on the digital jukebox which has a pretty huge collection (though isn't necessarily very true to the theme going on). Bring some $ bills to operate it - hope everyone appreciated my music cause the speakers were pumping it! Can't wait to go back again one day read more

Candlepin bowing is somewhat of a regional magic. Like all other forms of bowling (duck pin, ten pin) societal engagement is a bit on the decline. This is a family run enterprise. It is clean, priced reasonably, excellent rental shoes. They have food and supplemental activities. At first glance you may say you are stepping back too far in time. Reality is the classic wood paneling, ball return and pin setters are most endearing. Even more important is that the lanes are well maintained- just very well kept. The facility is a place of comfort and fun. They still have a pay phone. Go and enjoy. Back to the Future is a most excellent way to live! read more

Nice old school bowling alley. You can just feel the history when you step in. Some really cool hand-painted signage throughout. Machines however, can be finicky. All candlepin pinsetters are rather old these days, but even still, those at CPL had an above-average number of missing pins/stuck balls/no pins set during my visit. This was across three different lanes, so a fairly representative sample I feel. There's lottery/horse racing available if that's a plus for you. However the TVs and patrons can be a bit loud if you prefer a more quiet atmosphere when bowling. I wasn't particularly bothered, but some might be. This establishment is also cash only, so be aware. Plenty of seating available inside, but minimal parking outside. Most spots are resident sticker only during the week, so be aware. There is a shopping plaza nearby that you can use instead and then walk over. read more

So fun! 3 tries to knock 10 skinny pins with tinny ball. Don't forget to press the reset button for the next person.

Hidden away, deep in the heart of East Boston, one might not ever approach this alley. But you should: because it's the bomb. Cheap prices, basic lanes, and new shoes, this place rocks. Two floors of bowling allows plenty of space in an other wise small bowling alley. The staff might look tough, but they're very helpful! I'm hoping to host my next birthday party here. It seems like a special treat to have this in my neighborhood. read more

Great fun, cheap place for a good time with friends. I love it here, prices are reasonable and easy. As college students or people with kids, money to go out for a night is always hard to come by but here, it goes a long way! Check it out! read more

Central Park Lanes - Hit a 152 at CPL! - Bowling Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Classic candlepin! Friendly old time bowling. Reasonable prices. Jukebox and conveniently located near restaurants, ATM, stores and public transportation. Near all major highway and airport read more

This is real bowling and it's old school. It you're a really New Englander than it's Candlepin Bowling for you. If you've never tried it, you will have the opportunity to be the first to bowl a perfect game since it's never happened. 100 is a very good score. 125 (Like Greg Schrank) and you get a tip of the cap. What's great about Central Park Lanes (CLP) is that it's not fancy. No electronic scoring. No flashing lights. It's 1950's style with 1950's prices. Chuck, the owner, is a great guy and runs a place that is friendly to all ages. Folks on dates, kids, the elders are all at CPL. When you're done stop at Santarpios for pizza and BBQ or walk to the Pier. It's Eastie at its best! read more

This place is a gem! Highly recommend to anyone interested. Fun tidbit- eat at santarpios in East Boston and then head over to central park lanes. The ambiance exudes old school and the staff are friendly and generally helpful. Never a wait time here! read more

Its awesome that places like this still exist. It makes Wakefield Bowladrome look like Wamesit lanes.

Fun way to spend some time on a rainy afternoon on vacation. We enjoyed the retro feel & prices of this place .

I'm a Midwesterner who always wanted to try candlepin. A recent trip to Boston provided the opportunity, and Central Park is a great old-school bowling center. The counter guy was friendly and genuinely interested in what I thought of candlepin. The verdict? Candlepin is more enjoyable and challenging than 10-pin. America needs to discover the small ball and thin pins. read more

What a bargain of a bowling alley! Four of us bowled a full game for just $18 and there are always lanes open here at this old school joint. Its amazing. Highly recommend it if you're looking to explore East Boston. read more

We headed over based on the website and business hours listed (open at 11:00), but the doors were locked and no one answered the phone. We waited around an extra 30 minutes in case they were just running late. I guess I should have called before traveling over, but assumed with the favorable reviews and listed business hours, we would be ok. Maybe they are now out of business. Disappointed but found another spot to try out candle pin bowling. read more

We are from California and we don't have candlepin bowling and wanted to check it out. Tons of fun! Owner was super helpful and was curious our thoughts of the game. Highly recommend stopping in read more

Central Park Lanes looks the same as when I was a kid. There are some updates but wow, it's like stepping back in time & what memories!!! My husband and I took our 7 year old daughters today to bowl a couple of strings & we had s blast. We were virtually the only group there. Can't wait to go back! :-) read more

Best bowling alley around! A fun, family owned establishment that makes you feel right at home the second you walk through the door.

Played in a summer league on Thursday nights for the first time this past summer. It's a great way to meet people, and there is a wide variety of folks there for fun as well as competition. This is classic candlepin bowling - no frills, which makes it even more fun. Definitely stop in with a group, or be brave and sign up for a league. read more

Had a great time. Cheap fun for our group of 3. If you're an out-of-towner and brave enough to take a subway ride and a 10 block jaunt...it's worth it! Old school game without all the frills...the way it should be. read more

This place gets 5 stars for its pure time-warp townie awesomeness. The staff is helpful and welcoming. The old fashioned system has a certain charm, and you have to hand score so keep an eye on your friend that will cheat if given the opportunity. Prices are dirt cheap. Cash only and only open till 9 but it's well worth going with some friends for a few laughs. read more

Agree with the first two reviews above. One thing that wasn't mentioned, it has an excellent jukebox (how many bowling alleys have jukeboxes?) We bowled on a Thursday night on the first floor, no lines here, and mingled with one of the regular league bowlers who packed into the 2nd floor. Loved the look and feel of the old 50's decor and styling. Truely little has changed here and that's how they like it, we did too. read more

I completely agree with the other reviews. Definitely my choice for candelpin bowling near the city - a quick T ride and maybe 10 min walk and you're there. The guys who work here are super nice and help if you don't know how to calculate the manual scoring. Much cheaper than other places in the city and no lines to wait in! read more