The Spare Room Bowling, Perth

Wood lanes above Wilson Street

Up on the second floor at 2 Wilson Street West, across from the Best Western in Perth, The Spare Room keeps an alley built in the 1950s. Its eight five-pin lanes are the original wood ones, and staff ask bowlers to roll the ball gently rather than lob it, to spare the surface. Each lane takes five people at most, so groups of six or more need a second lane.

The counter sells jumbo all-beef hot dogs, root beer floats, nachos, slushies and popcorn, plus beer and coolers for adults. Leagues run from October 1 to May, with women's play on Wednesdays and mixed teams on Thursdays. The whole alley can be rented for birthdays and group parties. It stays open all year, air-conditioned in summer, and socks are required; clean indoor runners can replace bowling shoes. An empty alley may shut up to 30 minutes ahead of the posted time.