Sonic Bowl @ SAFRA Punggol

Sonic Bowl at SAFRA Punggol is the family alley for anyone who lives in Punggol, and nothing more ambitious than that. Bumpers go up on request, there are dinosaur-shaped ramps for children too small to swing a ball, house balls start at seven pounds, and the rental shoes fasten without laces. None of that is unusual, but it is all present and working, which is enough to get an afternoon with a five-year-old off the ground without planning it.

Go in expecting a neighbourhood floor. It has seen better days and the upkeep shows: lane conditioning, the air conditioning and general maintenance are all weak points, and service is inconsistent. If you bowl properly, or you care how the lanes run, there are better floors in Singapore and it is worth travelling to one of them.

If you just want an hour of pins with the family, it does that, and the LRT stop outside is most of the reason to pick it. The alley is on the fifth floor of the clubhouse at Punggol Waterway, three minutes on foot from Sam Kee. Payment is cashless. Bring your own socks, and if anyone in the group holds a SAFRA, NTUC or PAssion card, say so at the counter.