The Houston location of Pinstripes has been long gone, but the void it left is still felt. The…read moreconcept was a compelling one: an event space and family destination built around bowling, anchored by an all-you-can-eat weekend brunch. Simple in theory, brilliant in execution, and one that no other venue has successfully replicated since. The space was gorgeous. The ample dining space, dedicated private rooms, and gourmet bowling alleys across the place was a sight to behold. This experience cost a pretty penny, which is partially what doomed them in the first place. As a brunch destination, it was a hot mess, largely due to their staff which had a hard time to keep up with the demand. The waits without reservations were brutal and even ones that arrived with reservations would still have to wait if the seating arrangements weren't done properly. The food itself was solid, featuring premium items like prime rib and mean herb roasted chicken, along with smoked salmon, shrimp cocktails, and even a dessert fondue. Throw in a few pasta + pasta dishes for the kids, along with an omelette station. At $35, this was a good value. The bowling experience was always their best asset. Lane reservations were a cinch, and the bowling balls were always quality. The area was well maintained and had a decent amount of seating for groups. Shoes and socks were always included in the $20 per person/per hour deal, which for River Oaks standards is on par price wise. While they live on in other cities, I do think Pinstripes was onto something in Houston. While it may not have fully materialized into what they envisioned, it did lay enough ground work to see the possibility was there. Here's hoping they find another home in H-Town in the near future.

Nice place to bowl... food is mmmmeyah (so so)!…read more Location: Pinstripes is located in upper Kirby near the color factory. Great thing is that they have a parking garage and Pinstripes validates parking... wooohooo! You just have to ask! Ambiance: This place is cute and happening! There is a large party room, but only one area to bowl. Food: The food was not the best. However, I did hear that they had a good brunch! I can't vouch for it and will say that I probably Never will. The experience I had with their food was more than enough. The parmesan fries were good. Service: The bowling area was packed, so service was also so so! A little slow for our liking! I may return, but not for the food... for the comradery!

I might just have to do a national barcade tour. We were here on Sunday afternoon, so there were…read morepeople everywhere, but I still had a blast. This place serves food, drinks, and has plenty of games! You can either buy your tickets in person or online beforehand. It's $12 for entry and you can stay as long as you want and come and go with unlimited game access. From what I can tell, some days have specials. Only additional purchases are food and drinks, obviously. They have pizzas, quesadillas, salads, dessert pizzas, and pizza burritos. I tried that last thing because I had never heard of it -- think of it as like a glorified hot pocket. It was delicious! I had a salad to balance things out, and I'll surprised by how hefty it was! Since I had never had their cider before, I decided to do a flight of five. When I placed my order, I was expecting them to give me a tray of five 1 oz pours... But instead, they told me the flight will consist of five 5 oz cups.... WHOA. So I grabbed the first two and had to come back for the rest after I finished. Every single one was delicious, but I really liked the mango habanero and the one with the coconut. Now, the games... I rarely come to a barcade that has TWO Guitar Hero setups. And they had plenty of classic cabinets, air hockey, Mario Kart, shooting games... Claw machines... It was quite epic. By the way, the claw machines did cost extra, and I peeped a party room in the back that had those interactive team floor games! That would be fun to reserve for a special occasion. This place really impressed me. If you enjoy games in a bar setting, I would recommend this spot if you are in the Houston area.

Cidercade is a good option for a big group activity that's (thankfully!) indoors, away from the…read moreHouston heat. I've been there with a group of adults and also with a group of kids, and just note that while it's totally fine (and very fun!) for kids, it's probably better for adults--there's no kid security check-in at the front, and the building is very big, with lots of games. We ordered a pizza from a touchscreen by a food window, and the pizza was actually pretty good, much better than I was expecting at an arcade. The downside was that, in the lunch rush, it took 30-40 minutes for that one pizza to come out, though you could tell they were individually making each item in the big pizza oven. If you want drinks, you separately order those at the front, near where you check in, which is a little odd to have two separate food/drink ordering spots. When we walked in, we paid for a wristband, which gave "free" access to all of the arcade games, except for the claw machines, which required you to buy an extra card.

I've been here for a birthday party and it was pretty decent…read more They have a full bar and kitchen. I had a few cocktails but didn't bowl. Food was decent. Standard bowling alley food. The service was okay. I did most of my transactions at the bar because I was with a larger party.

Annette B. I visited Palace Social on September 26th with a…read moregroup of ladies, and we had a wonderful time! From the food and drinks to the bowling, everything was great. The staff was very professional, friendly, and attentive to our needs. Anytime we needed anything, they were right there to assist us. The ambiance was beautiful and welcoming. There were several birthday celebrations taking place, which made the atmosphere lively and fun. Overall, it was an excellent experience, and all the ladies truly enjoyed themselves. I want to sincerely thank Palace Social for the wonderful hospitality they showed us. We had a fantastic time and look forward to visiting again!

Pulled up to 810 Billiards & Bowling to celebrate my brother's birthday and honestly... a win was…read morehad First off no entry fee? Love that for us. Prices were super reasonable too. It was 8 of us and we only paid about $50 for an hour of bowling, which is kind of unheard of for a group that size. The place was definitely busy, but the staff kept things moving. Our waiter was super friendly and came through with solid drink recommendations (which we *definitely* needed lol). Food took about 20-30 minutes, but again, packed house so no complaints there. Now... the only thing holding this place back a little: the bowling balls. Baby, they have been THROUGH IT some were cracked and pretty beat up, so that could use an upgrade for sure. Other than that, good vibes all around. Plus, they've got pool tables if you want to switch it up. Would I come back? Yes. Would I bring my own bowling ball next time? Also yes lol.

I really wanted to like 810 Entertainment because it had been on my list of bowling alleys to…read morevisit, but unfortunately, I left pretty disappointed. The lanes were extremely dry and poorly maintained, with scratched floors and cracked bowling balls. If you're used to quality, well-conditioned lanes, this is definitely not the place for serious bowlers. We were also told that guests aren't allowed to bring out their own bowling balls because a host has to retrieve them, which was frustrating. The atmosphere is nice, but this is much more of an arcade/entertainment venue with bowling than a true bowling facility. The food was also underwhelming and not what I expected for the price. The biggest positive was our server, who was extremely friendly, attentive, and provided top-tier service. I'm giving more than one star because the atmosphere and overall concept are enjoyable, especially for a casual night out. However, if you're coming primarily for the bowling experience, I'd recommend looking elsewhere. Unfortunately, this was my first and last visit. Lane price was fairly high. Probably the highest I paid which wouldn't be the biggest deal if the experience was at lease above average.

This was a cute bowling alley and I had fun here. It is a bit pricy for two people, seems that they…read morecharge by the hour and shoes and included for up to 6 people? So definitely a better spot for groups, maybe not so much for two! Their pizza was surprisingly not bad for a bowling spot. I'm glad they kept the crust in the thinner slice, and it came out hot and melty. Not bad at all!

A nice ride back, just enjoying a good cheeseburger. I really am not good at bowling, but I have…read morefive friends with me about the environment. I saw Serio bowlers reset the lanes; they were in good shape and working well. And the balls provide were good tootonnes if parking

I was part of a bowling league before moving to Houston, so when Better Off Bowling popped up on my…read morefacebook feed, I knew I had to try it out! I joined without knowing a soul, and was quickly met by lots of smiling faces. Adding in the fun of bowling and a few drinks on a Sunday afternoon, and it's made for a couple of really fun seasons so far! Definitely come a bit early to mingle with your team and stay after to get to know people on other teams. Even if bowling isn't your thing, this is a great consistent activity for a Sunday afternoon, or whenever your section meets!

I was looking for something for my wife and I to do together on weekends and came across Better Off…read moreBowling - and I'm sure glad I did! My wife and I joined a random team that the league ended up filling up with free agents. We ended up having a fun time and met a bunch of cool people. We were thankful not everyone was great at bowling because we're not so hot at it either. It's fun to meet new people you bowl against each week as well as after bowling when everyone hangs out. Looking forward to the next league we can join!

This place is a gem that I took for granted during my undergrad years. I bowled with some friends…read morehere on a Friday night for quite the bargain -- $15 an hour + free shoe rentals for the whole group! The place looks well-maintained by friendly employees. Lanes felt decently oiled during my visit. However, our lane felt a little glitchy. On one occasion, the pin resetter failed to pick up 2 of the pins from a previous player's turn. The computer also didn't register several gutter balls throughout the 2 hours we played. Overall, it's still a very worthwhile experience. Despite the hiccups, this game room offers quite a nightly vibe on an otherwise quiet campus. It stays open on Fridays until 12:30AM and even serves alcohol for ages 21+. In addition, you can find plenty of other games here including a PS5, dual monitor PC set up, air hockey, and pool. There's certainly something for everyone to enjoy.

The venue was great, my group enjoyed the bowling, games. Great environment and great helpful…read morestaff!!

Dave & Buster's delivered exactly what we were looking for: a fun night out with great food,…read morereasonably priced drinks, and outstanding customer service. The chicken wings were a pleasant surprise. They were cooked perfectly, full of flavor, and easily one of the highlights of our visit. The drink prices were also very fair, which made it easy to relax and enjoy the evening without feeling like every round came with sticker shock. What really made the experience stand out, though, was the manager. They went above and beyond to help us maximize the points on our rewards card and took the time to make sure we understood how everything worked. That level of customer service is becoming harder to find, and it genuinely made us feel appreciated as guests. Great food, good value, excellent service, and plenty of fun. We'll definitely be back for another round of games and wings. And in response to why I give things four stars, I rarely give anything five stars unless it's perfection but for being with some of the highest that I give, I definitely ran it down some of the best that I've had there!

Good place for family and kids, kids really enjoy it! It…read moredoes get busy so food service did take a while in my experience. Huge indoor area although it was not that clean in the restrooms or carpet in general. Several games and food options. Prizes need to improve to attract more people.

As one of the more relaxed nightlife venues in Midtown, Unicorn Disco gets my thumbs up for being a…read morelittle different from the rest. It's a cool concept, an interesting space, and usually an easy place to enjoy a drink and some conversation. The decor with the ambient lighting is most definitely on point. The retro vibe is most definitely felt from the nicely stocked and lit bar to the booths and TVs. The subtle IG friendly illuminated signage is nice, as is their spacious outdoor seating. On looks alone, they get a big thumbs up from me. Presentation is a big theme here and it's never been more evident than their drinks. From light bulb cocktails to creative signature drinks, there's always something to capture here. They also have canned drinks and bottles as well, but I always make it a point to indulge on their adult slushies. It's perfect for hot weather months and they are a lot more potent than they look. Another unintended bonus? They have a boutique bowling alley, which is so cool. It's only two lanes but it's free, fun activity that no other nightlife spot in the immediate vicinity can say they have. The service here is good overall, I've never had any issues with the bartenders. They have an online service for bottle service / private parties and they supposedly serve food here. They're open late each night and while the crowd may vary, it is a fairly unique nightlife concept throughout H-Town.

Frequented by Rice and UofH students, this two-story bar is hip, quirky, and has the best DJs…read more Sometimes there might be a line if there's a large crowd. I went here with friends to celebrate their graduation, I loved how their menu had a variety of cocktails or the choice of ordering classic shots at the bar. The baristas were super nice too!

Bougier than your classic bowling alley, Bowl & Barrel was a popular spot on the weekends and was a…read morelot of fun! It was clean and well-maintained. Service was nice and helpful at the front and for food at our table. One can choose to have the side rails or even an aiming device that looks like a little slide for the bowling ball. The technology is really cool, as there are graphics to show how to hit all the balls and replays, and classic graphics of the old days still make their appearance :P The pins are attached to strings, so resetting for each turn is faster. The food selection was better than expected but still just okay-- the pretzel was my favorite: soft, served warm, but not much taste beside straight up salt crystals (but it did come with sharp mustard on the side). The highlight is definitely the gameplay over the food, but they are nice snacks in the meantime. Really liked having hand sanitizer at the table too! Balls and tables and shared with your neighboring lane, and we definitely needed a bigger table just for a few dishes and drinks. The bowling shoes felt nice and didn't look super worn out like they usually do. Instead of those plastic hard chairs, there's an improved cushioned couch, but ours was tearing and the tear was pretty uncomfortable to sit on. Would recommend reserving in advance! Whether for a little party or date for a bit of competition, Bowl & Barrel is a solid spot for bowling. Would go elsewhere after for a real meal though!

(9.22. Reply to Mr. R. Thanks for reaching out. I sent a email per your request)…read more Very cute rustic theme bowling scene. Visiting here after purchasing cookies from Tiff treats, I ordered water with lemon from the bar. The server followed me from the front desk, reached with her BARE HANDS, & long nails to collect lemons and squeezed each lemon and dropped in the cup. "No no I don't want the lemons inside my cup" She toss those in the trash collect two more cups. Reached her BARE DIRTY, unwashed hands and long nails back into the lemon tub to place them on napkins. Do you have any tongue to collect the lemons???? She trash those lemons and got ONE PICK TO STAB TWO LEMONS for two cups of water. Without saying a word. The laziness was pure disturbing. And the attitude as if she was bothered is nasty work. I explained in great deets to my friend. Who NEVER place lemons inside her cups no matter the level of establishment. She squeezed both. I just went without any lemon. For a woman who brings her own flatware. This type of shit turn my stomach & will physically make me ill. (Reminds me of an horrible experience from Cinco Ranch's location, Rouxpour, during the pandemic, which resulted me having a fever of 102.1). I do plan to return on a weekday to partake in their weekly special. $10 p/p for one hour game, shoes included. M-F 11a-4p. Other than that it's $40 per/hr. $6 for shoes. (Extra deets) (My friend Tre and I visit next door at General Public, she shared their HH is 3-6pm on weekdays where they serve drinks for the price of the hour. $3,$4,$5,$6.) That's when I learned they also a shared/ joint operation with the food service for Bowl and Barrel. Which is cool.