Dog Bowl
Dog Bowl is located on Whitworth Street West in Manchester, beneath one of the arches of the bridge- a perfect location for a bowling alley wouldn’t you say?
When I first heard of this diner, I thought the name had lots of negative connotations, however when you realise that it is also a bowling alley, everything falls into place.
This is the third of the Black Dog Ballroom’s venues which has only been open since April last year and deserves to be talked about.
Taking you into the heart of a New York themed bar and diner, you are transported when you walk into a classically American eatery.
Although we arrived early, the staff kindly let us dine before our reservation, so we ate and then burned off our meals on the lanes afterwards.
The menu is Tex-Mex inspired and made from the best of the local produce; from quesadillas, steaks, fried chicken and fajitas, it has a great selection of meals to immerse you in the culinary culture.
We decided to have a Pulled Pork Sandwich and Sweet Potato Fries and Burger with Pulled Pork and Sweet Potato Fries and House Slaw for our main course. The burger came with a large knife stabbed through the mountain of meat and bread, topped with onion rings- how has no one ever thought to do this before? Casually served on wooden platters, with the signature dog bowl paper for presentation- it was certainly far removed from the soggy chips and thin burgers that you would usually find in a bowling alley.
This was followed by Sticky Toffee Pudding and Doughnuts and Chocolate Sauce both served in glass jars. Everything was well cooked and presented in a unique way, setting it well apart from its rivals.
This diner is ideal for families, particularly with early teens, students and fun loving couples. It offers a number of deals to cater for those who are watching their purse strings. I certainly wish I had had something like this around when I was at university- I am sure it would have been a regular haunt.
The black and red décor, along with light wooden floors gives it a modern and minimalistic look to extend the appearance of a bowling alley right out into the dining area.
I would suggest that this is a place to come if you are already parked in Manchester at the end of a long day of shopping, before a show, or even to kick start your night on the town. If you want to visit just for this and this alone I would recommend you get the train- parking is very expensive and unnecessary if you want to take full advantage of the well-stocked bar.
It is not great for couples looking for a quiet evening to talk. As you can imagine, it’s full of excited, competitive people, pumped with sugar and adrenaline- so choose wisely if you want an intimate candlelit dinner for two.
However, If you are looking for something less formal and different to do with your partner then this is certainly the place to be to reinvent your date nights.
There are only 5 lanes in the alley, so make sure that you book in to avoid disappointment and end your night with a bang.
Never before have I been to a bowling alley where the bowls come out of a dog’s behind- but there is a first time for everything! The unique dispensers are inspired by the brand’s own black dog, named Bruce, the Patterdale Terrier.
With many offers such as ‘Burger, Beer and Bowl’, the aptly named ‘Yappy Hour’ and ‘Taco Tuesdays’, there is always something on offer if you are searching for the best meal deal.
Overall, if you feel you have exhausted the bowling experience- then think again. This is a much better version of your local bowling alley that serves food as an afterthought. There has clearly been a lot of time and energy put into this concept and it has been executed very well.
As a couple who has been together for a while, we appreciate it when we come across something new to do on a night out. This was a really fun way to use up the extra calories from our hearty meal and enjoy the feeling of being young at heart again.
Thanks to all the staff at Dog Bowl who made our Saturday night one to remember!
Tagged in Manchester