From bowling and billiards to drinking and dining, the Back Bay's top all-purpose lounge has it all.

(617) 266-2695

50 Dalton Street (Scotia St)
Boston, MA 02115 42.346723 -71.08502

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Neighborhoods: Fenway/Kenmore, Fenway

kingsbackbay.com

Hours:

Mon 5pm-2am

Tue-Sun 11:30am-2am

Price:

$$

Last updated 5.13.11

Category:

Bars & Pubs, Bowling Alleys, Restaurants, Billiards Bars, Sports Bars, Bowling Events

Payment Methods:

American Express, Travelers Check, Gift Certificate, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Karaoke, Dance Floor

Restaurant Special Features:

Cheap Eats

Cuisine:

Traditional American

Bar & Club Special Features:

DJ, Specialty Cocktails, Date Spot, Romantic Nightlife

Smoking Permitted:

No

Editor's Tips

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.

Provided by CityGrid

Featured Review

Eric Grossman

Contributor

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,…

Editor's Tips

Parking:
Finding a spot in this crowded neighborhood is often a challenging task: Spring for the validated parking ($5 after 4pm) in the lot next door.
When to Go:
The regular menu is served until midnight on the weekends (until 11pm, Sun-Wed); after that, a late-night menu is served nightly until 1:45am.
The Extras:
Karaoke is offered on Thursdays at 10pm.
Call Ahead:
As this is a popular night spot, be sure to make reservations in advance to secure a table.
ambiance
80.0% positive
  1. “honestly, you will have more fun and better luck at an out of the city dirty bowling alley where they have cheap beer and greasy bar food.”
  2. “The music was so fun and they play videos too.”
  3. “The bowling was so much fun.”
  4. “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.”
  5. “The music was fun and upbeat with top 40 and some classics mixed in.”
drinks
73.08000087738037% positive
  1. “honestly, you will have more fun and better luck at an out of the city dirty bowling alley where they have cheap beer and greasy bar food.”
  2. “The bar staff are very good.”
  3. “Working at a bar myself, I can appreciate how the people at Kings are so friendly.”
  4. “The cocktails were great and the beer was cold.”
  5. “the place was basically empty and the bartenders were rude and had chips on their shoulders, the food was ok but overpriced for what it was, and the drinks were weak and overpriced.”
  6. “They were quick with drinks and made PERFECT martinis just the way I like them.”
  7. “Our server in the bowling area was very nice and we never went without a drink for long.”
  8. “She suggested we try the fishbowl drink which was a scorpion bowl with my favorite candy - swedish fish.”
  9. “Kings as it is known, is a great place to go with friends, have a very nice drink, and oh yeah, play a few strings of bowling.”
  10. “We sat at the bar in the bowling room for 3.5 hours while waiting for a lane, but didn't mind the wait because we had a great bartender who kept the drinks coming.”
  11. “The food and drinks were great.”
  12. “Bowling was a little pricey but the resonable food and drink made up for it.”
  13. “The food was good, drinks were strong, and there was a decent crowd especially considering it was a Sunday night late.”
food quality
85.0% positive
  1. “The food in the Kings Restaurant was amazing.”
  2. “I've had all the "best" burgers in Boston and would put this 2nd to the Four Seasons Bristol Bar Burger, at a fraction of the price!”
  3. “Bowling was a little pricey but the resonable food and drink made up for it.”
  4. “The food was very good and for a downtown restaurant, we thought the prices were reasonable.”
  5. “honestly, you will have more fun and better luck at an out of the city dirty bowling alley where they have cheap beer and greasy bar food.”
  6. “the place was basically empty and the bartenders were rude and had chips on their shoulders, the food was ok but overpriced for what it was, and the drinks were weak and overpriced.”
  7. “The food was fantastic as well.”
  8. “She suggested we try the fishbowl drink which was a scorpion bowl with my favorite candy - swedish fish.”
  9. “The restaurant had good burgers and good service, though some of our party's orders were not understood by the kitchen.”
  10. “The food, service and activities they offer make it a cool place to hang out.”
  11. “Quality meat cooked perfectly, fully melted cheese, crips bacon and fresh hand cut french fries.”
  12. “The music, food and most importantly, the service was terrific.”
  13. “was expecting something totally different- but they started passing trays of sushi, scallops in bacon, gourmet pizza and bruschetta- along with some other food I don't remember- But EVERYTHING WAS SO TASTY!”
  14. “They staff and the food were awesome.”
  15. “The food was good, drinks were strong, and there was a decent crowd especially considering it was a Sunday night late.”
  16. “The food and drinks were great.”
  17. “The burger here is outstanding.”
  18. “Recently was at Kings with a few old friends, had a total blast - great food, awesome service (seriously she was so personable and attentive), the place looks so fantastic.”
  19. “The food there is great as well.”
  20. “They have the best steak I have had in a while and it was cheap!”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The menu has become more diner friendly(especially since it's non smoking now in the lounge) and the staff is on top of things.”
overall
91.66999816894531% positive
  1. “This place is a little overwhelming, but a good place to go if you get bored easily or can't decide between boozing, bowling or billiards.”
  2. “This is the best place to go in Boston to shoot pool and hang out with friends, and make some new ones.”
  3. “Extra points for the great looking bathroom in the restaurant.”
  4. “Recently was at Kings with a few old friends, had a total blast - great food, awesome service (seriously she was so personable and attentive), the place looks so fantastic.”
  5. “This is a great place, definitely check it out.”
  6. “Kings as it is known, is a great place to go with friends, have a very nice drink, and oh yeah, play a few strings of bowling.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “Overall a great time and I will recommend Kings and return.”
service
81.4799976348877% positive
  1. “beautiful people?”
  2. “They staff and the food were awesome.”
  3. “Go to Jillians for a much better scene and more friendly staff.”
  4. “Recently was at Kings with a few old friends, had a total blast - great food, awesome service (seriously she was so personable and attentive), the place looks so fantastic.”
  5. “Working at a bar myself, I can appreciate how the people at Kings are so friendly.”
  6. “Our server, Patty, was knowledgeable and personable; she made our dining experience one to remember.”
  7. “the place was basically empty and the bartenders were rude and had chips on their shoulders, the food was ok but overpriced for what it was, and the drinks were weak and overpriced.”
  8. “Our server in the bowling area was very nice and we never went without a drink for long.”
  9. “The server who helped us was wonderful.”
  10. “We sat at the bar in the bowling room for 3.5 hours while waiting for a lane, but didn't mind the wait because we had a great bartender who kept the drinks coming.”
  11. “Everyone was very friendly and quick.”
  12. “The bartender was incredible.”
  13. “Kings is very clean and the staff are so nice.”
  14. “The staff were extremely attentive.”
  15. “The food, service and activities they offer make it a cool place to hang out.”
  16. “The bar staff are very good.”
  17. “From no word from manager, our waitress told us no hot foods were being served only salads or cold club sandwhiches.”
  18. “which means they pay for a expensive lease and push prices, not service.”
  19. “You get service with an attitude and it's just another dirty bowling alley.”
  20. “The restaurant had good burgers and good service, though some of our party's orders were not understood by the kitchen.”
  21. “Everyone was so nice and attentive.”
  22. “Everyone is very nice that works there and I always see the same staff and they now know me by name.”
  23. “other than that, the waitress was nice and fast.”
  24. “Lanes don't work and poor customer service”
  25. “The menu has become more diner friendly(especially since it's non smoking now in the lounge) and the staff is on top of things.”
  26. “Service not so bad, clueless and cute waitresses.”
  27. “The music, food and most importantly, the service was terrific.”
value
41.66999816894531% positive
  1. “honestly, you will have more fun and better luck at an out of the city dirty bowling alley where they have cheap beer and greasy bar food.”
  2. “For the short time we were there, it was QUITE an expensive evening.”
  3. “Great place for bowling even thought its pricey.”
  4. “The food was very good and for a downtown restaurant, we thought the prices were reasonable.”
  5. “When all was finished, we were charged full price which they apparently, thought was fair.”
  6. “which means they pay for a expensive lease and push prices, not service.”
  7. “It does get a bit pricey for bowling ($4 for shoe rental, $6.50 per game) but seemed like pool is a better deal ($14 per hour, which entertained a big group of us for quite a while).”
  8. “Pool is also expensive given the poor condition of the tables.”
  9. “They have the best steak I have had in a while and it was cheap!”
  10. “Bowling was a little pricey but the resonable food and drink made up for it.”
  11. “I've had all the "best" burgers in Boston and would put this 2nd to the Four Seasons Bristol Bar Burger, at a fraction of the price!”
  12. “the place was basically empty and the bartenders were rude and had chips on their shoulders, the food was ok but overpriced for what it was, and the drinks were weak and overpriced.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “Our server in the bowling area was very nice and we never went without a drink for long.”
  2. “They were quick with drinks and made PERFECT martinis just the way I like them.”
  3. “Everyone was very friendly and quick.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/14/11

Nightly deals are awesome

by NickSR at Citysearch

Weekly nights are hooked up. I used to go to college night and bowl free on Tuesdays, now I go to Wild Wednesdays and bowl for $10. They have awesome Karaoke and Trivia nights too. Recently I heard someone talking about Kings. They said "This place is like Disney for adults". I don't know if I would say that, but it is pretty darn close.

2 Star Rating: Below Average

03/29/10

21 Plus in the eye of the beholder

by BostonSon at Citysearch

I was told my girlfriend of 4 years had a fake VT id, by the manager at Kings... she is 24, from VT, and was never shot down as a matter of fact. Because the manager went to UVM he denied her ID and entrance, an ID which check outs across the board ( I checked with ABC commission) and never apologized once for making a misjudged and far from astute decision on a real ID, on a wednesday mind you.... GO LUCKY STRIKE!!!

  • Pros: Bowling Alleys
  • Cons: Narrow lanes, poor staff
4 Star Rating: Recommended

03/10/10

I like this place

by Jaydog at Citysearch

This is a fun place. Been here many times, the staffs are nice, cheap drinks, and alot to do.

  • Pros: fun, good food
  • Cons: a bit loud
3 Star Rating: Average

03/01/10

Billiards, Bowling and Boozing

by thelittleH , Citysearch Contributor at Citysearch

This place is a little overwhelming, but a good place to go if you get bored easily or can't decide between boozing, bowling or billiards. We arrived early enough on Friday evening to bowl without a wait, and had snacks and plenty of drinks during two games, despite wait staff that were sometimes difficult to locate. Later on in the evening, bowling seemed to require more patience but by then we had started to play pool.

It does get a bit pricey for bowling ($4 for shoe rental, $6.50 per game) but seemed like pool is a better deal ($14 per hour, which entertained a big group of us for quite a while). Not a cheap destination, but otherwise a fun place to go in the city.

  • Pros: lots of options
  • Cons: inconsistent service, sensory overload, not cheap
1 Star Rating: Poor

02/03/10

Inelegant place and Uncivilized Staff‎

by Nipun Goel at Citysearch

The staff treats you like they are doing some kind of favor to us. They are rude and are not willing to speak to you like humans, Last night I went there with some guests. At one point two friends rolled in two balls simulataneously, then a guy with pierced ears came charging at us from behind the pin laying area. We apologised that we didnt know it was that big a deal and we did not break anything. But this technician guy called up a bouncer and forced us to leave or else he will call the police. I dont understand that if a person is talking peacefully, you have no professional duty to shout your lungs out in front of everybody. Although it was no big deal for us that we were gonna sue them or something but we all felt very humiliated.

I seriously doubt the managers hiring tactics.

I will NOT recommend this place to my friends

  • Pros: None
  • Cons: Rude Staff, Faulty Pin laying system, 90-180 min waiting tim

The Details on Kings

Place Categories:

  • cool whole place
  • pricey bowling
  • great food
  • recommend kings
  • great music
  • not so bad service
  • very nice everyone
  • very nice server
  • very good bar staff
  • big group
  • outstanding burgers
  • big huge projection screens
  • rude bartender
  • full price
  • beautiful people
  • not recommend place
  • personable patty
  • dirty bowling alley
  • tasty everything
  • nice waitress
  • very nice drink
  • good care
  • great time
  • expensive lease
  • great cocktails

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.