We’re lucky to live in a city that has plenty of indoor play spaces to keep our kids active when it’s either too wet or too hot to play outside. And thanks to the just-opened Round 1 Bowling & Amusement facility at Westfield Southcenter, families now have another place to add to their arsenal. From bowling and karaoke, to arcade games and billiards, we’ve got the inside scoop on this high-tech venue that is scoring big points with parents and kiddos alike.
photo: Kristina Moy
Bowling
If your family likes to bowl, you won’t strike out here. This 40,000-square-foot state-of-the-art entertainment and amusement facility offers 14 bowling lanes equipped with electronic bumpers, dinosaur ramps and kid-sized bowling balls. Gutter balls are so last year. If you’re one of the lucky ones to have the Moon Light Strikes Game land on your turn, get ready to show your stuff. With the lights down, everyone bowls at once for the chance to win prizes. Guys need a strike and girls and kids 12 and under need to knock down more than nine pins to win. With the chance to win prizes and ginormous lane screens playing your family’s favorite sports teams, this is bowling at its best. Score!
photo: Kristina Moy
Karaoke
If Disney’s Frozen soundtrack is on repeat in your car, let your little Elsa and Anna wannabes belt out their favorite tunes in a private karaoke room. Round 1 offers more than 100,000 songs (with new songs added each month) in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Japanese. Families can sing their heart’s out in a standard room designed for 6-11 people or go for the party room and bring along 40 of their closest friends.
photo: Kristina Moy
Billiards
If you thought your days of playing billiards were gone, think again. For those looking to play a game (or two!), Round 1 has four Brunswick tournament size tables for you to use. Each Gold Crown V includes all the bells and whistles (new corner castings, apron details and a redesigned ball storage area) and can be reserved per hour. Note: Age restrictions do apply.
photo: Kristina Moy
Arcade Games
Round 1 boasts one of the biggest arcades in the state which means you will have no trouble finding a game for every age and playing ability in your crew. In addition to the most popular arcade games on the market, this massive arcade has driving games like Mario Kart DX, Batman and Show Down as well as rhythm games, sports games, exclusive arcade games and brand new games including the new Star Wars Battle Pod.
photo: Kristina Moy
If your kids are into redemption games (where tickets can be exchanged for prizes), there are plenty to choose from including skill games like basketball tossing and ball throwing as well as carnival classics such as skee-ball, Fish Bowl, Gold Fisher, Mega Spin and Flappy Tickets.
photo: Kristina Moy
For kids who like a little thrill with their gaming experience, the Typhoon Motion Theater comes with six different simulated rides, Dolby Digital Surround Sound and a WIND turbine that adds a new dimension of motion simulator ride realism. Ride a thrilling roller coaster, travel through the inside of a pinball machine or experience a high-speed race car drive. All simulated rides last approximately four minutes and are guaranteed to get your body moving (literally) and your blood pumping.
photo: Kristina Moy
Good to Know
1. This place is loud! There is no wall between the arcade and the bowling alley, so come prepared to embrace the noise. The good thing? If your tot has an epic meltdown mid-game, nobody will even notice.
2. Food and drinks are available from the Snack Bar. Expect to find typical bowling alley fare on the menu including pizza, chicken wings, sliders, chicken tenders, nachos and hot dogs. The Snack Bar also carries a selection of draft and bottled beer as well as wine and mix drinks. Place your order before you grab a bowling lane and have your food delivered to you when it’s ready.
3. Sign up for a $5 annual club membership and take advantage of the savings. Members save $1 off per game of bowling as well as $1 off arcade game packages, karaoke and billiards. Come back often and your membership will automatically upgrade to silver, gold or platinum.
photo: Kristina Moy
4. Bowling shoes are available in kids and adult sizes. Kids’ shoes can be found behind the counter and adult shoes can be found on the far back wall near the billiards tables. All adult shoes come in men’s sizes. Women should choose shoes that are one-and-a-half sizes smaller than their shoe size.
5. If you don’t want to spend a ton of money on arcade games, purchase a Time Play card and get unlimited play on games throughout the arcade. Just look for the “Time Play” sign on the machines. Note: Time Play games do not give redemption tickets.
6. Take advantage of the bowling rates Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. That’s when it’s just $4.50/person for one game or $8.50/person for two games.
7. Be prepared to spend a lot of time in the prize store. This gigantic room is where your kids can redeem their tickets for prizes. Make sure to load all of your paper tickets onto your gaming card (some games give out paper tickets while others load the points directly onto your card) before you enter the room. This will save you both time and tears in the prize store.
photo: Kristina Moy
Round 1 Bowling & Amusement
Westfield Southcenter
2351 Southcenter Mall
Seattle, Wa 98188
206-243-2787
Online: round1usa.com/location/south-center-mall
Have you been to Round 1 Bowling & Amusement? What is your family’s favorite part? Tell us in the Comments below.
— Kristina Moy
