Round 1 Atlanta: Your Guide to Games, Bowling, and Night-Out Fun in the City

If you’ve heard people talk about “Round 1 Atlanta”, they’re almost always referring to Round1 Bowling & Amusement, a large Japanese-style arcade and entertainment center that’s popular with both locals and visitors.

While Round1 is a national chain, this guide focuses on how it fits into the Atlanta area, what you can do there, how to get to the closest locations, and how it compares to other fun spots in and around the city.

What Is Round1 (Round 1) and Why Do Atlanta Locals Care?

Round1 Bowling & Amusement is a multi-activity entertainment venue that typically includes:

• Bowling
• Arcade games (including Japanese imports and rhythm games)
• Prize and claw machines
• Billiards and ping-pong
• Karaoke rooms (in many locations)
• Food and drinks

For people in Atlanta, Georgia, Round1 is often:

• A go-to spot for group outings, birthdays, or casual nights out
• A family-friendly arcade during the day and early evening
• A late-night option for bowling and games, depending on hours at each mall

There isn’t a Round1 in downtown or Midtown Atlanta itself, but there are nearby locations that many Atlantans treat as their “local” Round1.

Where Is “Round 1 Atlanta”? Closest Round1 Locations to ATL

As of the latest commonly available information, the closest Round1 Bowling & Amusement venues serving the Atlanta metro area are:

*Exact store openings and mall tenants can change. It’s smart to check the Round1 official website or call the specific mall to confirm that a location is open and to verify hours before you go.

Since mall lineups can shift, people in the City of Atlanta often search “Round 1 Atlanta” and then pick the closest mall-based location in the metro area.

What You Can Do at a Round1 Near Atlanta

While each location can be a little different, most Round1 venues around Atlanta offer a similar mix of activities.

Bowling

Round1 is known for modern bowling lanes with:

• Electronic scoring and screens
• Bumpers for kids and beginners
• Shoe rentals on-site

Many Atlantans use it as an alternative to traditional bowling alleys when they want bowling plus arcade games in one place. It’s common for groups to:

• Bowl a couple of games
• Then spend time in the arcade and prize area afterward

If you’re going at peak times (Friday night, Saturday afternoon/evening, holidays), lanes can fill up, so going earlier in the day or calling the location for lane availability is often helpful.

Arcade Games and Prize Machines

One of the biggest draws for Round1 around Atlanta is the arcade selection:

• Japanese rhythm games and imports (popular with gaming enthusiasts)
• Racing and shooting games
• Classic arcade-style games
• UFO catchers / crane machines with plush toys, figures, and other prizes

Many local players go specifically for the claw machines and Japanese arcade titles that can be harder to find in standard American arcades.

💡 Tip for Atlantans: If you’re planning to spend a while in the arcade, look for time-play or credit package deals that can stretch your budget, especially on weekdays.

Billiards, Ping-Pong, and Other Activities

Depending on the specific Round1 location near Atlanta, you may also find:

• Pool tables (billiards)
• Ping-pong tables
• Darts or other bar-style games

These are popular for college students and young adults coming from areas like Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State, or Gwinnett-area campuses.

Karaoke Rooms (Select Locations)

Some Round1 locations include private karaoke rooms, which can be booked by the hour:

• Good for birthdays, office gatherings, or friend groups
• Typically offer a wide mix of English, Japanese, and other language tracks

Because not every location has karaoke, it’s best to check the specific Round1 closest to Atlanta to confirm whether private rooms are available and how to reserve them.

Getting to Round1 from Atlanta

Because Round1 locations are mostly in suburban malls, how you get there depends on where you’re starting in the Atlanta area.

Driving from the City of Atlanta

If you’re in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, expect:

• Traffic on I-85, I-75, or I-285, especially evenings and weekends
• Parking to be free or low-cost at the malls where Round1 is located

Locals often schedule Round1 trips around:

• Off-peak traffic hours (late morning, late evening, or weekdays)
• Combining the visit with shopping or eating at the same mall

Using Transit and Rideshare

In many cases, it can be challenging to reach suburban malls directly with MARTA rail only, but some areas may be accessible via:

• MARTA train + bus connections
• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) from the nearest MARTA station
• Carpooling with friends

Because these routes and schedules can change:

• Check the MARTA trip planner for up-to-date bus and rail combinations
• Consider using rideshare for the last leg if the mall is not directly on a bus route

When to Go: Busy Times vs. Quieter Hours

People in Atlanta often plan their Round1 visits around crowd levels and noise, especially families with younger children.

Typically busier times:

• Friday evenings
• Saturdays (afternoon and night)
• Holiday weekends and school breaks

Typically quieter times:

• Weekday afternoons and early evenings
• Later on Sunday evenings

If you prefer a less crowded experience—especially for kids, first-time bowlers, or anyone overwhelmed by noise and lights—aim for those quieter weekday slots when possible.

Costs, Packages, and What to Expect to Spend

Prices can vary by location and change over time, but in general at a Round1 near Atlanta you might pay for:

• Bowling: Per game or per hour, plus shoe rental
• Arcade games: Paid using a card system loaded with credits
• Prize machines: Often priced per play and can add up quickly if you’re chasing a specific prize
• Table games: Hourly charge (billiards, ping-pong)
• Karaoke: Hourly room rental if available

To keep your costs predictable:

• Decide in advance how much you want to load on an arcade card
• Look for weekday or daytime specials on bowling or play packages
• If you’re going with kids, set a clear prize-machine budget so expectations are clear

Food and Drinks at Round1

Most Round1 locations in the Atlanta area offer at least:

• Quick snack-style food (pizza, fries, appetizers)
• Soft drinks and sometimes alcoholic beverages for adults

Because they’re inside malls, many Atlantans:

• Eat at the food court or nearby restaurants first
• Use Round1 more as a games-and-bowling stop than a full dining destination

If you have any dietary restrictions, you may want to:

• Check the mall’s full dining list
• Plan to eat before or after your visit rather than relying on the in-venue food alone

Tips for Families Visiting Round1 Around Atlanta

For Atlanta-area families, Round1 can be a fun outing when it’s planned with a bit of structure.

Helpful tips:

• Go earlier in the day to avoid heavy crowds and louder, late-night vibes
• Consider time-limited cards or set dollar amounts per child
• Keep track of arcade card balances so you don’t accidentally overspend
• Talk ahead of time about prize expectations—claw machines are chance-based and can be frustrating for kids if they expect a guaranteed win

If you’re bringing a larger group of children (birthday party, youth group, or family gathering), call the specific Round1 location in advance to ask about:

• Group options or lane reservations
• Best times for large groups to visit

Round1 vs. Other Atlanta Entertainment Options

Someone searching “Round 1 Atlanta” might also be comparing it with other local entertainment choices, such as:

• Traditional bowling alleys in the city or nearby suburbs
• Other arcade venues or barcades in Midtown, Inman Park, or the Battery Atlanta area
• Family entertainment centers in Gwinnett, Cobb, or DeKalb

Round1 can be a good choice if you want:

• Bowling + modern arcade in the same place
• Access to Japanese-style rhythm games and UFO catchers
• A mall-based environment where you can also shop and eat nearby

If you want something more centrally located in the City of Atlanta without driving out to a suburb, you might look at in-town arcades, smaller bowling spots, or neighborhood game bars—but these may not offer the same style of imported Japanese games or prize machines that Round1 is known for.

How to Check the Nearest Round1 for Atlanta Right Now

Because entertainment options around Atlanta can change—especially in malls—the most reliable way to confirm current Round1 locations and hours is to:

1. Search for “Round1 Bowling & Amusement near Atlanta, GA”
2. Identify the closest mall-based location to your home, hotel, or neighborhood
3. Check:
   • Current hours of operation
   • Available activities (bowling, karaoke, billiards, etc.)
   • Any age policies or late-night rules

If you’re planning a group event, birthday party, or corporate outing, call the specific location directly. Mall information desks or mall management offices can also confirm whether Round1 is operating in that mall and may provide a phone number or guest services contact.

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, Georgia, “Round 1 Atlanta” usually means a short trip to a nearby Round1 Bowling & Amusement in a metro-area mall, where you can bowl, play arcade games, try your luck at crane machines, and turn an ordinary afternoon or evening into a full outing.