Bowling shoes aren’t just fashionable—they provide the added two inches of height needed to load your ball into a regulation-size trebuchet. Lace up and reach for a three-holed pin-puncher with today’s Groupon: for $16, you get four games of bowling and two shoe rentals at Bel Mateo Bowl in San Mateo (up to a $32 value).

Bel Mateo Bowl welcomes rollers of all skill levels and ages. Recently renovated, the alley now features 24 Murrey Synthetic bowling lanes spaced out with enough room for tossing heavy spheres toward their pin-laden destiny. A state-of-the-art Steltronic Automatic scoring system, graced with giant LCD monitors, keeps track of points, relieving tiny pencils and nimble fingers from their tenured bowling posts. Your day at the alley includes four games and shoe rentals for you and a friend—a handy opportunity to impress a novice or woo a would-be failure by purposefully throwing the game.

After settling who's best at gutter-ball avoidance, guests can wander over to the snack bar and arcade room, where a round of video games adds extra points to the day's score. For musical enhancement, swing through on Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday night, when the alley hosts a lively karaoke showcase.

Reviews

Bel Mateo Bowl has a 3.5-star average from 58 Yelpers and a three-star average from five Insider Pagers:

• This is your typical family bowing alley. My wife and I have used them many times over the years for birthday parties. I must say that the kids always have a blast. – Sam L., Insider Pages
• Bel Mateo has maintained that old school bowling alley charm but has also modernized the alley with more up to date amenities you would want in an alley. – Scott S., Yelp, 2/2/11