Bowling alleys are the only safe place for people to simultaneously sate their hunger for ball-on-pin violence and knock-down pepperoni cravings. Let your whims run wild with today's Groupon: for $30, you and an unlimited number of lanemates get one hour of bowling with shoe rentals for everyone and any large pizza at The Park Tavern Bowling & Entertainment Center in St. Louis Park, which was City Pages' pick for 2010's Best Bowling Alley.

Serving the Minneapolis area for more than 50 years with tasty bites, fresh brews, and pin-slamming pastimes, The Park Tavern offers more smashing fun than a sledgehammer in a bubble-wrap factory. Lustrous lanes waxed smoother than a buttered bathtub play host to fun group outings, where friendly rivalries can be settled with the soothing sound of scattered pins. Lace up a pair of specialized sport sneakers and take to the lanes for an hour of ball-rolling fun with as many competitors as can fit in your entourage. But remember, the more people you invite, the more contagious diseases you'll have to pretend to have to keep their hungry mouths away from your large pizza. Shoe rental is included for all players in your lane.

Besides strengthening arm muscles, thighs, glutes, calves, and Jeff Bridges impressions, 10-pin bowling at The Park Tavern strengthens socio-familial bonds by giving friends and families a casual, nonviolent arena to challenge each other over chitchat and pin smacking. This all-inclusive atmosphere makes the alley a superb venue for introducing friends from different social circles to form a social Venn diagram. Bring your poetry friends to play your fantasy-football buddies, or build camaraderie with coworkers after a long day of coworking with today's Groupon.

It's recommended to call ahead to find out if lanes are available: (952) 929-6810. Games must start by 5 p.m. (except on Sundays) because of league play.

Reviews

The Park Tavern was named Best Bowling Alley 2010 by City Pages. Yelpers and Citysearchers give it an average of 3.5 stars.

• Add two bars for all your drinking needs (because honestly, who can bowl without drinking?) and great happy hour specials, and you've got everything you need for a bowling experience that dreams are made of. – City Pages
• Good bowling, beer, and food makes it one of the best bowling alleys in the cities. – Jason K., Yelp