Kings
From bowling and billiards to drinking and dining, the Back Bay's top all-purpose lounge has it all.
(617) 892-4215
50 Dalton Street
(at Dalton Street)
Boston,
MA
02115
42.346723
-71.08502
Neighborhoods: Fenway/Kenmore, Fenway
What People Are Saying About Kings
The Owner
Kings
Owner
Back Bay Kings is a 24,000 sq ft entertainment facility that includes 16 ten-pin bowling lanes, a billiards room with 8 Gold Crown tables, multiple bars and lounges, and a full service restaurant that serves food until 1:45am. The unique and memorable space, coupled with fantastic food & creative drinks has made Kings the place for fun in Boston. Kings is the perfect spot for groups of all sizes , from a romantic dinner, to a group outing on the lanes, to friends, singing Karaoke-Kings has you covered. And, with daily free events, you can't find a better value in Boston.
The Editor
Eric Grossman
Citysearch
Located in the former Loews Cheri cinema, this sprawling subterranean hangout offers various activities to a diverse clientele. By day, an all-ages crowd relaxes while enjoying games of 10-pin bowling. Come nightfall, the scene heats up as the kids go home and the socialites arrive, bringing with them lengthy waits for open tables and lanes. Friendly servers do their best not to interfere with any of the action. Kings' calling card is bowling, spread out over 16 regulation-sized lanes. Pricey shoe rental and game fees mean the fun doesn't come cheap, but never will you bowl in such a stylish, futuristic setting (computerized consoles enable players to track scores). To pass the time, those waiting for a lane play video games or dine in the retro Kings Restaurant (think meat loaf and mai tais).
High Marks
* "...I live and work down the street and go in at least 2 times a week with my co-workers after work. They have so much to offer..." (KirstenMc82, Citysearch user)
* "...With the option of bowling, playing pool, or just having a few drinks with friends, you can't go wrong. The food there is great as well..." (PamRobichaud, Citysearch user)
Low Marks
* "...It just happens to be in the Back Bay...which means they pay for a expensive lease and push prices, not service..." (beantown02446, Citysearch user)
* "...i went on a weekend night a little while ago and was surprised by how much of a disappointment it was..." (jeye, Citysearch user)
User Reviews
TheJaneJones
January 18, 2009
I went to Kings last night out of sheer boredom with my friends. We thought it would be funny just to go bowling like we used to do when we were kids. I had no idea how cool bowling is again. This place was packed last night! We got there around 8ish and went to get on a lane. There was a wait but luckily we didn't have dinner yet so the staff suggested we go into their restaurant and eat. Perfect suggestion. A hostess brought us over a very cool retro-y red booth and a server came over almost immediately afterwards. They had a bunch of specials but we just ordered off of their regular menu. I had the steak tips and OMG... they were so good. What do they marinate them in.... heaven? All of my friends tried something different and liked theirs too but they kept trying to steal my tips! We hung out in the restaurant for who knows how long, the time honestly flew by. Soon enough we were buzzed for out lane. We actually got one of the VIP lanes which was so cool... after all my friends and I are VIPs in our own minds. There was a server on the lanes as well. She suggested we try the fishbowl drink which was a scorpion bowl with my favorite candy - swedish fish. We played our allowed 2 games fairly fast but had such a fun time doing it while making fun of each other for every gutter ball we threw. This is definitely a cool place to hang out at. Everyone was so nice and attentive. Extra points for the great looking bathroom in the restaurant.
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JoanneRoy
December 22, 2008
We had our daughters 13th birthday party at Kings last weekend and everything was perfect. I have to say, I wasn't sure what to expect, but the entire party went perfectly. The event coordinator at Kings took care of booking the party with me and was very helpful and professional. We showed up 15 minutes before the party started and we were greeted by the Kings manager and servers. They went through the flow of the event and had everything set up. The server who helped us was wonderful. She helped the kids, made sure we had everything we needed and cleaned up around us. The kids had a lot of fun. Kings has bumper bowling for kids, fun music videos and an overall fun atmosphere. I would recommend booking a party at Kings to everyone I know.
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DianaC86
December 15, 2008
Me and my friends had a lot of fun at Kings on Friday night. The bowling was a long wait but there was a lot to do while waiting. They have 3 different bars, music videos, pool and other things. The wait flew by. I must say the one thing that stands out the most was the level of service we had from the staff. Everyone was very friendly and quick. Not at all what we expected. The food and drinks were great. We tried the Lettuce wraps because our server suggested them and we were impressed. Kings is a clean, well maintained place. We were there for about 4 hours total and I can't find anything wrong with our visit. I am getting a group together because I noticed they have Karaoke on Thursday nights in the lounge area.
read full reviewThe Details on Kings
Save Money:
Ladies bowl free on Tuesdays after 8pm, while Mondays are Industry Nights (starting at 9pm, bring a business card or pay stub to prove your connection to the hospitality industry and you'll enjoy free bowling).
When to Go:
Karaoke starts at 10pm on Thursdays, with weekly prizes and giveaways. DJs spin top-40 and dance tunes on Fridays, starting at 9pm.
Parking:
Finding a spot can be a dicey proposition: Spring for the validated parking ($5 after 4pm) in the lot next door.
The Extras:
If you're looking to bowl in quieter environs, hang out in the walled-off Kingpin Room, removed from the bustle of the main lanes and pool hall.
Category:
Bars & Pubs, Sports Bars, Bowling Alleys, Bowling Events, Billiards Bars
Payment Methods:
Gift Certificate, American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Travelers Check
Bar & Pub Special Features:
Bar & Club Special Features:
Smoking Permitted:
No
As Seen In…
Best Boston Nightlife
Best Boston Nightlife
Best Boston Nightlife
Message from Kings
- Bowling & Billiards
- Delicious Cuisine
- Full Service Bars
Back Bay Kings is a 24,000 sq ft entertainment facility that includes 16 ten-pin bowling lanes, a billiards room with 8 Gold Crown tables, multiple bars and lounges, and a full service restaurant that serves food until 1:45am. The unique and memorable space, coupled with fantastic food & creative drinks has made Kings the place for fun in Boston. Kings is the perfect spot for groups of all sizes , from a romantic dinner, to a group outing on the lanes, to friends, singing Karaoke-Kings has you covered. And, with daily free events, you can't find a better value in Boston.
