Company Outings & Corporate Events With Candlepin Bowling
Plan a company outing that gets coworkers talking, laughing and playing together. Harvard Lanes combines classic candlepin bowling with flexible lane reservations, café seating, food and drinks in Harvard, Massachusetts.
Bring Your Team Together Without the Awkward Icebreakers
A good company outing gives people something easy to do together. Candlepin bowling creates natural conversation and friendly competition without requiring experience, special equipment or a complicated agenda.
Reserve as many lanes as your group needs, settle into our refreshed café area, and give coworkers space to connect away from the usual meeting room. Smaller candlepin balls make the game approachable for new bowlers while experienced players can still enjoy the challenge.
Harvard Lanes welcomes businesses from Harvard, Ayer, Devens, Littleton, Boxborough, Lancaster and throughout Central Massachusetts.
Planning a non-work celebration? Explore our group events and private parties.
Why Teams Choose Harvard Lanes
A flexible corporate event venue where the activity, gathering space and refreshments are all in one place.
Low-Pressure Team Building
Bowling gives everyone a shared activity and plenty of chances to cheer each other on.
Flexible Lane Reservations
Reserve the number of lanes your group needs, subject to availability for your date.
Food & Drinks
Pizza, chicken fingers and other café options pair with beer, cider, seltzer and soft drinks.
Easy for Beginners
Smaller candlepin balls keep the experience approachable for mixed-skill teams.
Company Outing Ideas
Use the lanes as the main event or as an easy activity alongside food, conversation and recognition.
Team Building & Department Outings
- Friendly competition for mixed skill levels
- Small-team lane groupings
- Café seating between games
- A relaxed alternative to another meeting
Celebrations, Clients & Office Parties
- Employee appreciation events
- Milestone and project celebrations
- Client or partner gatherings
- Seasonal and holiday outings
Event details and availability depend on your date, group size, lane needs and food preferences. Send us the basics and we’ll help shape the right plan.
Two Ways to Host Your Company Event
Both options include bowling shoes and allow outside food or catering. Alcoholic drinks must be purchased from Harvard Lanes.
- Reserved lanes for your group
- Exclusive use of the back seating area
- Bowling shoes included
- Outside food or catering welcome
- Other customers may be in the building
- Add an hour for $5 per attendee
- Private use of the entire building
- All 14 candlepin lanes
- Downstairs party and outdoor areas
- Bowling shoes included
- Outside food or catering welcome
- $20 per attendee above 60 guests
Availability and the final quote are confirmed individually for every event. If your group only needs bowling, reserve lanes online. Use the event form when you need gathering space, exclusive areas or outside food or catering.
How to Plan Your Company Outing
A few details are enough to get started. Our team will help you work through availability and the experience that fits your group.
Tell Us About the Group
Share your preferred date, approximate headcount and the type of company event you are planning.
Choose Your Lane Setup
We’ll review availability and the number of lanes that makes sense for your group. Evening availability can vary during league season.
Plan Food & Gathering Time
Ask about café options, drinks and room to connect before, during or after bowling.
Show Up and Bowl
Bring the team, divide into lane groups and enjoy a company outing with a built-in activity.
Company Outing FAQs
How large a company group can Harvard Lanes accommodate?
Harvard Lanes has 14 candlepin lanes. The best lane setup depends on your estimated attendance and current availability, so include your headcount when you contact us.
Do employees need bowling experience?
No. Candlepin bowling is welcoming to beginners, and the smaller balls make it easy for people to start playing quickly.
Can we get food and drinks during our event?
Yes. Booked events may bring outside food or catering, and our café also offers pizza, chicken fingers and other options. Soft drinks, beer, wine, cider and seltzer are available; alcoholic drinks must be purchased from Harvard Lanes.
How much does a corporate event cost?
Non-private events are generally $20 per attendee for two hours, plus $5 per attendee for each additional hour. Full-house private rentals are $450 per hour for up to 60 guests, plus $20 per attendee above 60. Submit the event form for availability and a final quote.
Where is Harvard Lanes located?
We are at 204 Ayer Road in Harvard, Massachusetts, convenient to businesses in Ayer, Devens, Littleton, Boxborough, Lancaster and nearby communities.
How do we reserve a company outing?
Complete the event form with your preferred date and estimated attendance, or email hello@harvardlanescandlepin.com. Organizers can generally arrive about 30 minutes early. We typically confirm the final headcount a few days before the event, and payment is due on event day by card or check. If you only need bowling without reserved gathering space or outside food, reserve lanes online instead.
Start Planning Your Company Outing
Tell us your preferred date, approximate group size and what you want the event to accomplish. We’ll help you plan the bowling and gathering details.
204 Ayer Road, Harvard, MA 01451 • hello@harvardlanescandlepin.com