When you walk into Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill in Round Rock, Texas, you’re not just entering a bowling alley—you’re stepping into a deep-sea fantasy. Picture glowing jellyfish overhead, sharks swimming past your lane (yes, really), and the kind of vibe that makes you question if you just walked into an aquarium with a side of nachos.
Located inside the giant Bass Pro Shops complex, Uncle Buck’s is part restaurant, part bowling alley, and part underwater wonderland. Whether you’re here with kids, friends, or just a wild craving for fish tacos and funky lighting, this place brings a delightfully unexpected twist to your average night out.
What We Love
Ocean-Inspired Bowling Lanes
Each of the 16 bowling lanes is set beneath a canopy of glowing blue, with custom bowling balls that look like sea creatures and lanes lit to mimic rippling water. You’ll feel like you’re tossing a strike inside a coral reef—minus the scuba gear.
Themed Dining With a Nautical Twist
The grill serves up classics like burgers, seafood platters, and fried pickles—all while you sit next to a floor-to-ceiling saltwater aquarium. The vibe is kitschy-cool, with rustic diving decor and drinks that come with plastic sharks.
Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl and Grill/Google
Kid-Friendly Without Being Chaos
This is the rare family spot where the kids are mesmerized, but grown-ups don’t feel like they’re trapped in a cartoon. Arcade games, a full-service bar, and enough space to breathe make it a winning combo for all ages.
Unexpected Date Night Charm
It’s quirky, it’s different, and it’s way more fun than another cookie-cutter movie night. Share a lane, split some seafood nachos, and let the sea-themed scenery do half the flirting for you.
Fish Bowl Cocktails Worth the Hype
Oversized, neon-colored drinks served in actual fish bowls (yes, the kind you used to keep goldfish in) are part of the charm. They’re big enough to share—and Insta-worthy, too.
Atmosphere & Setting
The minute you walk through the door, it’s all ambient blue lighting, glowing sea creatures, and the sound of crashing waves and pins toppling. It feels part tiki lounge, part aquarium, part shipwrecked hideout—and the details are surprisingly immersive. Nautical rope, sunken treasures, wooden ship beams, and mounted fish cover the walls, while moody lighting makes every corner feel like part of a themed ride at a theme park (minus the lines).
Value (Is It Worth It?)
Bowling here is priced slightly higher than your average alley—around $32–$40 per hour per lane depending on the day—but the setting alone adds enough novelty to justify it. Food and drinks are reasonably priced, with full meals under $20 and cocktails under $15. You’ll want to budget about 2–3 hours if you’re bowling and dining. It’s perfect for families with kids, birthday parties, or couples looking to do something offbeat and memorable.
Other Considerations
There’s plenty of free parking, and the location is right off I-35, attached to Bass Pro Shops (yes, you can wander the giant store before or after). It’s indoors and air-conditioned, so no weather worries. Be sure to check ahead for wait times on weekends—lanes can fill up quickly. The venue is wheelchair accessible and great for both casual drop-ins and private events. And don’t forget: the arcade and gift shop are fun little bonuses if you want to extend your visit.
So if you’re craving something playful, social, and just plain different, Uncle Buck’s delivers with flair and fins. Come for the bowling, stay for the sharks—and leave with a story worth telling.
Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill
📍 200 Bass Pro Dr, Round Rock, TX 78665-2474