Finding love at Tenpin
Most people who try ten pin bowling love it - but can you find love while ten pin bowling?
Tenpin argues you can - in fact, we reckon it's one of the best options for that crucial first date.
During ten pin bowling's first golden age in the 1950s and 60s, countless lasting relationships were formed over that first 'strike'.
And now ten pin bowling is massive again, there's never been a better time to get that romance ball rolling.
But if you're not convinced, here are just five reasons why a night out at one of Tenpin's UK centres is ideal for that first date - and subsequent dates come to that!
Breaking the ice
We've all been there - that awkward restaurant date, where you're more worried about knowing which knife and fork to use or spilling soup down your front than making small talk. Or you're at the cinema, sitting together in silence, cringing at a saucy scene or wishing you'd chosen a lighter film than Saving Private Ryan.
Well, a night at Tenpin has none of that awkwardness - but plenty of fantastic fun instead!
From selecting your bowling ball to flinging down your first shot, it's a dynamic activity guaranteed to have you talking and laughing throughout the game.
Instead of clumsily asking about each other's families and jobs, you'll be chuckling about how that ball ended up in the gutter or how you nearly had that elusive strike.
You'll probably end up willing each other on. And by the end of the game, the chances are you'll want to do it again - soon!
It's not just bowling
At Tenpin, we believe in offering you a whole range of activities too. So if your date is going well but the bowling's over, there's no need to head off early into the night.
From arcade games to karaoke, table tennis to laser tag, the fun needn't stop once that final ball is bowled - or even between games.
So what's on offer at Tenpin? Here are some of our other activities (check with each venue to see if they're available):
* Arcade games - Racing games, shooting games and everything in between, you can even take home a souvenir of your first date by collecting tickets while you play and seeing what prizes you can get.
* Pool - We have pool tables at all of our UK centres, so grab your cue and get potting.
* Table tennis - Fast-paced and fun, we have tables at 35 different centres across the country.
* Laser tag - Pull your vest on, grab your laser gun and experience the adrenaline rush of our own laser tag game, Sector 7! Several of our centres have Laser Arenas, providing an incredible 4D experience for you and your date.
* TNT and Sky Sports - All our centres have TNT and Sky Sports channels, so there's no need to miss out on the big game.
* Escape Rooms - For double dates and mates’ dates our Houdini’s Escape Rooms make a fun and challenging alternative!
And there are several other attractions at many of our centres, including VR zones, climbing walls and even karaoke!
It's affordable
So, you want a memorable first date but you're on a limited budget. Well, forget the posh restaurant or that second mortgage for cinema popcorn - no matter how small your budget, a night at Tenpin won't break the bank!
Naturally, you want to make a good impression, but you probably don't want to fork out a fortune in case there isn't a second date. Don't worry - a few games at one of our bowling centres is going to prove far cheaper than dinner and drinks at the new restaurant in town.
With one game costing much less than a tenner per person, you can decide to call it a day after that game or, if all's going well, you can decide on a second game - again, not expensive and all the while, you're getting to know each other in a fun and relaxed setting.
Keeping it casual
It's your first date, but what to wear? With ten pin bowling, you don't need to dress to impress - in fact, you can wear your own shoes if you want and they’re suitable (some of our centres can provide shoes just in case). Jeans and a comfy top will do just fine too. And if you hit it off, the glad rag occasions can come later!
Then, if you're peckish, check out Tenpin's tasty meal deals before grabbing a refreshing drink and munching on tasty burgers, pizza, fries, nachos and more. For example, if you play on Thursday and book online, you can get TWO games of bowling and a burger meal for just a tenner per person! OK, so it's not haute cuisine, but who wants that on a first date? Play, eat, drink and chill - perfect!
Relax and have fun
Most of all, ten pin bowling is the perfect first date to have fun on, joke around and feel really comfortable with each other. You even get a bit of exercise too - and don't forget, exercise releases endorphins, which are the neurotransmitters behind feelings of pleasure and love!
There's no pressure on a ten pin bowling first date - and if one of you is a better bowler than the other, why not gently help your fellow player improve with some tactful tuition? They'll thank you for it when they get their first strike.
And instead of rushing into an intense conversation, keep things relaxed by focusing on the game to start with. Then, as things inevitably get less reserved, you can start talking about your interests and other topics as you play.
We're confident that by the end of a game, you'll probably have been bowled over by each other - or you might discover your fledgling relationship needs a bit more direction!
So there you have it - just five reasons why ten pin bowling is a great first date idea.
At Tenpin, we're certain you'll have a great time, whether you're attending with friends, family - or maybe that big love in your life.
And who knows - a few years on from that first date, maybe you can bring the kids along too!