I've only been bowling on Sunday and Friday lately. For Friday it has been $1.50 shoes + $1.50 per game (so $6 for 3 games). The same place does a special on Sunday afternoons where it is $5 per person for shoes and 3 games.
I did take my kids and nephew bowling on a Tuesday at a different alley about a month ago (newer alley so the bumpers go up or down depending on the specific bowler, which is nice with a mix of kids). I think I paid $30 for myself and the three kids to get shoes and 2 games each. So that worked out to $2.50 for shoes + $2.50 per game. Still a heck of a lot cheaper than going to the movies, even when buying a pitcher of pop and some snacks. For 4 of us to go to the movies it costs like $60!
For what it is worth, I'll second the comment that it partly depends on who is running the counter and how well they know you. Last weekend open bowling got pretty busy when we were there, but I think the guy at the counter has started to remember me after 5 Sundays in a row. As it got busier, he kept the lanes on either side of us empty. I might be reading too much into it, but being polite and getting to know the people really seems to pay off - at least for me at a smaller place.
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