May we bring in our own food or drink?
We do not allow outside food. Since we are a restaurant and BYOB establishment, you may bring in beer and/or wine only, and a food purchase is required (click here to view full BYOB guidelines). Liquor laws are very strict in New Jersey. Hard liquor is strictly prohibited at Humdingers. Please leave any hard liquor outside, or we will hold it until you leave if it is brought onto the premises. We are also required to check IDs and will ban anyone caught with a fake ID or attempting to skirt around our strict BYOB policies.
Can we bring in our own cake and decorations?
If you'd like to bring in a cake, you must have a room rental in order to do so. Please call our events department for room availability.
Batting Cages - Spikes?
Absolutely no spikes of any type are permitted. Anyone wearing spikes will be responsible for damages.
Sorry, but leave your cute pets at home!
We love pets, but only Service Dogs are allowed in food service facilities, subject to these conditions by the New Jersey LAD:
- You must keep the Service Dog in your custody at all times.
- You can be required to pay for any damage your dog causes.
Under the ADA, your service animal can be excluded from a public accommodation if "it poses a direct threat to health and safety. For example if your dog is aggressively barking at other people, the facility can kick the dog out."
Why do I have to wear bowling shoes?
Bowling shoes have special soles that allow you to slide. The appropriate footwear also keeps our approach area in good condition.
What else can our group do other than bowl?
Ah, now that’s right up our alley! (Pun intended.) We have a fantastic menu at our Café, which is also BYOB, plus delicious sweet treats at our Creamery. We even have state-of-the-art automated batting cages, complete with Hit-Cams in every cage. Throughout the facility, you’ll find multiple arcade sections featuring a variety of video games and Virtual Reality (VR) experiences. You also won’t want to miss our latest attractions, Laser Tag and Valo Arena! And, of course, we have our Mission Impossible-style Laser Maze, too!
Be sure to check out our vintage 1940s phone booth, and don’t forget to commemorate your outing with a photo strip from our Photo Booth, located near the Front Desk.
Do you rent out the entire facility for massive groups?
Please consult with our Party Office for more details. Call 201-701-1900 ext. 105 to inquire.
Do you offer discounts for large groups?
Yes! Please consult with our Party Office for more details.
We are interested in a large group gathering – do you offer this?
Yes, we do—and in our appropriately named Gathering Room! We can comfortably accommodate up to 160 guests in our spacious event area, with flexible seating arrangements to suit your group. Our Executive Chef and culinary team are experienced in banquet operations, and our food consistently receives rave reviews! Please contact our Party Office at 201-701-1900 ext. 105 to inquire.
Can we reserve just a room for our business meeting?
Yes! Our Gathering Room features a massive, state-of-the-art video screen, HD projector, and crystal-clear audio, with HDMI, Ethernet, and laptop/computer connectivity. We’re fully equipped to accommodate your business needs! Choose from a light menu or a full buffet, prepared by our Executive Chef and culinary team.
Do you validate parking?
Parking is free at Humdingers, so validation isn’t needed. Welcome to Paramus!
What weight bowling ball should I be using and what size finger holes?
The general rule of thumb is to use a bowling ball that weighs approximately 1/10 of your body weight. For example, a child who weighs 80 lbs. should try an 8-lb. ball, while an adult weighing 125 lbs. should try a 12-lb. ball.You can check your finger hole size at our Special “Fitting Ball” located at the front desk.
How much does a bowling pin weigh?
Most bowling pins weigh 3 lbs. 6 oz.
How far apart are the bowling pins?
Although they appear closer, pins are placed 12 inches apart from center to center.
How often do you condition the lanes?
We condition our lanes three times a week, depending on usage. At Humdingers, we typically condition the lanes just before league bowling begins. We always strive to provide excellent lane conditions and a great scoring experience for all of our bowlers.
Does Humdingers have leagues?
Humdingers is a recreational bowling center, making it a great choice for casual bowlers, families, and friends looking to have fun rather than hardcore league bowlers, unless, of course, they’re here enjoying time with friends or family! We offer a fun, relaxed bowling experience, including our interactive SPARK Bowling option. We also occasionally host leagues throughout the fall, winter, and spring. Please note that these leagues are privately run and not operated by Humdingers.
Why are the lanes so slippery?
If you’ve ever gone over the foul line, you may have noticed that the lanes can be slippery. That’s because bowling centers, like Humdingers, apply lane conditioner to protect the lanes and help ensure proper ball reaction. For your safety, avoid crossing the foul line, as doing so can result in injury. Our lanes are equipped with a foul-line warning buzzer that sounds as soon as the line is crossed, providing an additional reminder to stay behind the foul line.
How many games can we bowl in an hour?
A single game averages about 10 minutes per player, depending on the time between bowlers. At Humdingers, the average bowler typically takes about 15–20 minutes to bowl one game. That’s why we recommend the following amount of time per bowler:
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1–2 bowlers: We recommend purchasing 1 hour.
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3–4 bowlers: We recommend 1–1.5 hours, depending on age.
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5–6+ bowlers: We recommend 1.5–2 hours per lane.
How old do you need to be to bowl?
If the child can handle rolling a bowling ball down the lane or a bowling ramp, they can bowl! We have children as young as 3 years old bowl at our centers. Bowling ramps and lane bumpers are available for anyone to use during their game.