1 / 2Sacco's Bowl Haven
📍 Davis Square, MA
Sacco's Bowl Haven has run candlepin lanes since 1939, now paired with an American Flatbread wood-fired pizzeria. The retro setting draws families during the day and evening crowds later on. Staff are praised for handling large kids' groups.
Candle pin bowling ain’t exactly my jam but the pizza and cocktails are on point. Great place.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with kids aged 5 and up who can handle a real bowling ball (candlepin uses smaller balls than ten-pin). Daytime visits suit younger families; the atmosphere shifts toward adult nightlife on weekend evenings. Birthday party groups are well-managed by staff. The pizza is a genuine draw, not an afterthought.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →1,170 Google reviews
Josh Levine
“Candle pin bowling ain’t exactly my jam but the pizza and cocktails are on point. Great place.”
Eugenia Schraa
“Wonderful experience and Maddie in particular treated us so well in a huge party of kids. Very highly recommend!!”
Codex A
“Really Cute Retro hangout. Great way to spend a few hours”
Kristina
“We tried Sacco's for the first time on Saturday night. I hadn't planned ahead, so we didn't bowl, but the delicious dinner and exceptional staff made the visit worthwhile. It was packed, yet the folks at the host stand and AGM Tyler were calm and kind, and they went out of their way to find us seats. Our server, Mackenzie (sp?), was also a delight. I enjoyed the make-your-own nature of the Evolution salad, and my daughter loved the Medicine Wheel flatbread, which Mackenzie suggested when asked if a free-form was the only way to get a kid-friendly plain pepperoni. (We ordered it without the herb blend, and it was still flavorful.) Their chocolate milk is the best around, according to my connoisseur, and the warm brownie was the perfect treat. I initially thought we could only order it as part of a sundae, but Mackenzie offered it as a stand-alone dessert, which made the size appropriate for us. Tyler checked on us a couple times and was so warm and considerate, it felt like we were his special guests. It was wonderful ending to an otherwise difficult day, and we look forward to returning (w/a lane reservation!) soon.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Ralph Sacco opened these lanes in 1939, and the candlepin format — a New England original dating to 1884 — remains the main draw. Today, American Flatbread operates a wood-fired pizzeria alongside the lanes, with a full bar running the length of the bowling floor. The venue hosts kids' birthday parties, leagues, and drop-in open bowl sessions. Reviewers specifically call out staff like Maddie for handling large parties of children with ease.
