Growing up in the 80s and 90s, I remember when bowling alleys were rough, utilitarian places. The scoring system was a little CRT monitor stuck in the ceiling.
The equipment looked like it hadn’t been updated since the 60s—because it hadn’t! If there was food available, it was generally microwaved French fries and some flat soda.
Today, bowling alleys have changed dramatically. The best ones in the Bay Area are now full entertainment centers where you can go for an evening out, complete with restaurants, nice bars, bocce courts, and high-tech bowling.
One of the best bowling places in the East Bay is Plank at Jack London Square in Oakland (98 Broadway, Oakland, CA). I stopped by on Saturday evening to check it out.
The Ambience
Plank is a massive bowling alley and entertainment center located right in the middle of Jack London Square. Outside, you’ll find a beer garden with bocce courts (more on that in a moment).
As you step inside, there’s all kinds of entertainment on offer. Plank has a giant arcade complete with VR roller coasters, classic arcade games, and tickets you can redeem for prizes.
Plank also has interior seating for the restaurant and a full bar area with a 30-foot media wall. This seems like a very cool spot to hang out and watch a game, even if you don’t plan to go bowling.
It’s a giant space, and one of the nicest things about Plank is that the sides are open to the air. As you’re bowling, if you look just right, you can see through Jack London Square out to the bay. When I visited, the sunset made for a lovely view.
Oakland has a temperate climate—especially on the water—so the indoor-outdoor component is really nice. Even on hot days here in the 925, Plank is pleasant. I don’t remember much bowling on the waterfront from my 90s childhood!
Bowling and Food
The other entertainment options are a nice addition, but the cornerstone at Plank is the bowling alley, complete with food you can order right to your lane. Plank hosted us for the bowling round and food–Bay Area Telegraph paid for parking and incidentals.
I wondered how this would work, and if it might be hard to bowl and eat at the same time. It turns out there are nice table areas right behind the bowling section, so you can take a break in the middle of your game and have a snack or a drink, or grab a quick bite between throws while the other people in your party are bowling.
The menu at Plank is elevated American bar food. I got a Four Point Kölsch on tap, which was excellent and refreshing.
I visited with my wife, and we paired this with Plank’s pretzels and beer cheese, as well as a cocktail.
The pretzels were light and airy, perfectly salty, and delicious dipped into the warm beer cheese. These and other finger foods are perfect to eat while bowling.
Plank has chicken wings that are well-made and coated in a nicely sweet barbecue sauce. I also had about half-rack of baby back ribs. These were nicely smoky, but not falling off the bone—the perfect consistency to enjoy between bowling games without needing a fork.
For the sake of future guests, just remember to wash or wipe your hands before grabbing the ball if you’re eating these sticky, sweet items!
If you’d rather wait until after bowling to eat, you can always order drinks at the alley and then make your way to either the inside dining area or Plank’s outdoor beer garden.
We tried this out with a pizza after our bowling round, and the pie was tasty and fresh.
Overall, Plank’s food is a bit less high-concept than some other bowling alley dining spots in the Bay Area. The menu leans more toward down-to-earth items, again reminiscent of classic bar food.
That actually works in Plank’s favor—it feels like a fun night out without being the kind of place where you need to dress up and pay $30 for an entrée.
In terms of the bowling itself, you can rent shoes and pay either by the hour or by the game. I like the per-hour option. A little countdown clock at the bottom of the scorekeeping screen shows you how much time you have left. Bring socks–otherwise you’ll be paying $4 per pair!
This is nice, because you can play as many games as you want during your allotted time—you don’t need to stress about predicting in advance how long your arm will last or booking the right number of rounds.
When you register, Plank’s staff will also set up your bowler names for you. This is great, since you’re not wasting bowling time tapping away at the screen to enter data.
I’m a mediocre bowler at best, and I bowled a 144 during my best game at Plank. That’s an embarrassing score for a true bowler, but an excellent game for me!
The Arcade and Other Attractions
Bowling is the centerpiece of Plank, but it also has a full arcade. You’ll find shooting games, a VR roller coaster, games of skill, and more. You can buy an arcade card, then redeem tickets stored on the card for little prizes.
If you’re visiting with kids or teens, the arcade makes a great additional activity—or a place to stash them while you bowl with friends! Plank also offers bocce courts, though we didn’t test those on our visit.
The Verdict
Overall, Plank at Jack London Square makes for a very fun and unique evening out on the town. For those who live in the 925, just passing through the tunnel makes the experience feel that much more exotic and adventurous. Trains rumble by outside as you bowl–it’s a scene!
Luckily, Jack London Square is very close to the Caldecott and offers easy valet parking for around $20.
Plank’s indoor-outdoor feel is one of the loveliest parts of the experience. You feel like you’re bowling on the waterfront, while the interior still feels spacious and protected.
The bowling itself is a lot of fun, with easy setup and without many of the gimmicks you’ll find at other upscale alleys. I liked the elevated bar food concept—it’s still a bowling alley, not a fancy Italian restaurant, and it’s nice to see that reflected in the food.
One note: I would have liked to see some healthier and lighter options. The pretzels and wings were great but on the heavier side. A platter with some hummus or something similar would’ve been a welcome addition.
It’s nice to be able to snack while you bowl, but it’s also nice to have a beer garden area outdoors, where you can dine before or after and make it into more of a full evening.
Plank is a great place for a night out, but it’s also ideal for groups of friends or corporate events. Bowling gives you the chance to hang out with colleagues while doing something active, rather than sitting awkwardly around a restaurant table.
You wouldn’t dream of taking your work team to a 90s bowling alley, but with the food, cocktails, and upscale environment, Plank feels like the perfect spot for a team-building evening.
If you want something even more private, Plank offers six “boutique” lanes in their Boardroom area.
I’m already planning to return with a group of friends. Yes, I know that passing through the tunnel can be a hard sell for those in the 925, not to mention farther east—but Plank is worth the trip.
More info and Reservations: https://www.plankoakland.com/
