Agawam Bowl

My first time at Agawam Bowl in a long time. I went downstairs to the bar and was surprised at how cool it is.

It's kind of a retro-modern mashup with vintage bowling charm and a bar made out of an old bowling lane and old cars (with the lights working) that makes you want to stay around. Whether you're a serious bowler or just here for the atmosphere, it's got something for everyone.

I love the fact it's all candlepin, which is seriously New England and seriously cool.

Fun evening with friends. Everything went smoothly. Good service. Clean enough bathrooms.

This is such a super fun place to go and play a few games of candlepin bowling. I'm so glad I found it!

Agawam Bowl is a 22 lane candlepin bowling center. Equipped with semi-automatic scoring, newly refurbished pin setting and comfortable surroundings, it's a great place for a night at the lanes.

I've been frequenting this center for many years and love the place. It's clean, convenient and affordable for anyone. House pros will help you learn and give you tips.

It's the largest candlepin center in Western Mass. Give it a try. You'll be happy you did.

Great place for candlepin. Fun night out or afternoon of bowling. 22lanes up and downstairs and remember a little tip....it's BOYB!!

Has potential but the equipment is ancient and the lane broke down while playing. Manager was difficult to deal with and had an attitude. Overall on its last legs for sure.

(I will never understand why Yelp recommends some reviews and not others. The words "not recommended" seem to imply a problem, but to the contrary, I see the two hidden reviews as rave recommendations.) This place is as good as it gets. Please click to read all the additional "not recommended" reviews here too. They share my sentiments about this place -- It is friendly, fun and affordable.

Growing up in Connecticut, I associate candlepin bowling with vacation trips to Massachusetts. I have nothing but pleasant memories of our special stops at the candlepin lanes.

Agawam Bowl has reinforced those positive memories, and reminds me why I miss New England. Candlepin Bowling has a long history, and the management here embraces and promotes it. You immediately know that the proprietor loves the game and cares about the guests.

John, the manager (owner?) of the bowling center warmly greeted us at the counter and immediately made us feel welcome. He had the Patriots game on TV, and warned us that he might occasionally yell in his excitement. He took some time away from the desk to give us some pointers on hand position ("lead with the middle finger, be careful where you put your pinky"), where to stand ("move back a little and try three steps - left, right, left"), adjust our speed ("slow down your feet"), and where to put the ball ("stop thumping it at the foul line -- get it farther out on the lane").

We will absolutely make this a destination on our next trip back east. This is a must-do activity for tourists along with eating lobster rolls and visiting Fenway Park. For locals, if you haven't been there in a while, go back and try it again. Bring your kids or grandchildren and keep the tradition alive. Sign up for a league. You'll create happy memories here.

I love this little bowling alley. I am from the Boston area and grew up bowling candlepin. None of those big clunky balls for me. This is like skee ball on a grande scale. Not many places left to do it. But you can come here. And it's old fashioned with friendly service and a juke box for music. I also discovered last nigth that while they don't sell beer like I remember from my youth, it is BYOB. So bring your six pack or bottle of wine and have a party at the bowling alley. It's so much fun!

Small, 2 floor candlepin bowling alley. Under new management, it seems to be in the midst of getting a facelift, which is good, because I think that's a first since it was built in the 1950's. The guys that run it are really friendly, and the pin action is decent.

Still a nice spot to bowl candle pin. Been about 4 years since I last came here, and I used to come a LOT in my childhood.

Glad to hear new management has tried to make improvements. While it's essentially a landmark as it's been open "forever" when I was there that day (hadn't bowled in years, but had time to kill, and decided to have a little fun) it did still look very much dated out of the 70's and 80's when "Candlepin Bowling" reigned supreme on Saturday TV on WHDH (and syndicated to WGGB locally). I do enjoy those nostalgic looks and kicks though.

Candlepin may not be so popular anymore, but places like these still keep the game alive and enjoyable. Location is tucked away a little but then go walk over to EB's for a sit-down/full meal after...