For those unfamiliar with duckpin bowling, the game was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1900 and it was one of Babe Ruth's favorite games! Ten-pin bowling used to strictly be a winter sport and most alleys closed during the summer except for a few that remained open to play odd bowling games using the smaller balls. Summer bowlers suggested that it might be interesting to trim the standard pins down to match the size of the small ball. Because it was much harder to get strikes and spares, the rules were changed to allow three bowls on each turn but only counted as a score of ten if all ten pins were knocked down with the third ball. Duckpins became so popular that during the 1920's duckpin bowling spread along the east coast, from New England to Georgia. Today duckpin houses are still found only in the eastern states with the exception of our two locations here in Fountain Square, the only authentic Duckpin Bowling in the Midwest!
Today if you ride the elevator to the fourth floor of the Fountain Square Theatre Building you will be transported to another era in time at Action Duckpin Bowl. Originally opened in 1928 as Fountain Square Recreation, a bowling alley and billiard hall, the business closed in 1957 and remained vacant until 1994 when it was restored with authentic 1930's vintage bowling equipment and reopened with eight lanes of duckpin bowling, a 1918 pool table and an extensive collection of bowling memorabilia dating to the early 1900's. In addition to the eight lanes of bowling, Action Bowl has a café area that seats up to 120 guests where catering service can be provided for parties. Windows surround the cafe for a magnificent view of downtown Indianapolis. A snack bar menu is available to be served at your lanes during open bowling. Full bar and beverage service is available. We are a nonsmoking facility.
Atomic Bowl Duckpin
Opened in December 1997 in the basement level of the Fountain Square Theatre Building; Atomic Bowl has seven duckpin alleys furnished with authentic 50's and 60's bowling equipment. A pool table, 1950's vintage jukebox, and displays of midcentury bowling collectibles add to the retro atmosphere. Atomic Bowl has a café area that seats up to 90 guests for buffets provided by our catering services. During open bowling, food may be ordered from the snack bar menu to be served to your lanes. We are a nonsmoking facility.
Both Action Duckpin Bowl and Atomic Bowl Duckpin can be booked for private rentals, some seasonal restrictions may apply. To request private rental information and pricing click here or call 317-686-6006 ext 2. Whether you are entertaining a few friends or family, a large number of clients or wondering where to have your next office party, duckpin bowling is an unique location for fun and entertainment and will make your event most enjoyable.