There are plenty of places where people can go to participate in one of the top recreational activities in the country, but AMF would prefer Santa Clarans choose Moonlite Lanes as their bowling destination.
Throughout history, images of a dark, seedy place full of drunks and undesirables fill the average person’s head when they think of a bowling alley, but Moonlite Lanes isn’t so much a bowling alley as it is a family bowling center where individuals and families can go for a reasonably priced, interactive, and enjoyable experience that just happens to burn up to 300 calories an hour.
According to Steve Borasi, the district manager of Moonlite Lanes and other local AMF centers, “the bowling customer cares about two things – that the equipment works and that the service is good.”
While the machines at Moonlite Lanes aren’t the high-end, state-of-the-art equipment found at AMF’s 300 San Jose center, they are well-maintained and suit the needs of the average bowler. The lanes at the center are oiled daily and the staff is a head above the rest.
“We strive to make sure we are a service-oriented company,” said Borasi. “We hire service-oriented, friendly and engaging people to work here.”
To ensure patrons do not have to leave the bowling area until they are finished bowling, Moonlite Lanes offers lane service. Soon after a group is settled, a waiter or waitress will stop by to take food and drink orders. The server will then check back frequently, but bowlers can also press the call service button if additional service is desired.
“We offer the best service we possibly can,” said Borasi who also mentioned the center competes for customers with theaters and amusement parks among other local entertainment options. “We expect people to have fun when they come here.”
With a mission statement of “fun for families, serious for sport,” Moonlite Lanes is all about turning a good experience into a great one.
Some of the “great experience” comes from the remodel of Moonlite Lanes that was done two years ago. As part of the half a million dollar remodel, the original bar was kept but the kitchen was remodeled, the floors were given new carpet, and small improvements were made throughout the center.
As with any bowling center, a large portion of the business is comprised of league bowling. However, you don’t have to be a professional bowler in training to join a league. Any age and level of play is welcome, and there is a package for nearly every budget. League costs are $10-$14 per week. A standard league session runs 36 weeks but there are always promotions like the $10 for 10, which is 10 weeks of bowling for $10 each week. League bowlers are entitled to 2 free games per week, a 20% discount on food, $2.49 practice games, and a 2-hour span per week when league bowlers bowl for free.
Outside of league bowling, Moonlite Lanes has its Dollar Mania promotion Monday and Thursday nights from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. For a $5 cover charge, bowlers have access to $1 games, shoe rental, hot dogs, popcorn and 10oz beers for the entire evening. There are $2.49 games every Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday night after 9 p.m.
Moonline Lanes offers “Xtreme Bowling” on Friday and Saturday nights from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., complete with video screens, blacklights and music. For $17, each bowler gets two hours of playing time plus shoes. And while the center mostly fills up with the teen and 20-something crowd, it is for the whole family – from young to old, Xtreme Bowling is set up to cater to everyone.
Moonlite Lanes is at 2780 El Camino Real in the Moonlite Shopping Center and is open Monday and Wednesday 11 a.m. to midnight, Tuesday 9 a.m. to midnight, Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. During non-promotional hours, games are $4.95 before 5 p.m. and $6.20 after. Shoes are always $4.75. Additional information can be found at www.amf.com/moonlitelanes.