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The University of Tennessee

University Center Down Under

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Down Under » Group Info


How to Make a Group Reservation

Groups needing at least two lanes may make a reservation in advance to receive a group discount. Contact Amy Anderson at amyanderson@utk.edu or 865-974-1077. Amy is not in the office on Saturdays or Sundays. Please include the following information in your request, and be sure to check the Policies at the bottom of this page for helpful information.

  1. Your name
  2. Your phone number(s)
  3. Your email address
  4. Date and time desired
  5. Number of lanes desired (we recommend 4-5 bowlers per lane)
  6. Student Organization or UT Department Name
  7. Account number if you would like to pay via Interdepartmental Transfer
  8. Any other special requests

Rates for Officially Recognized University of Tennessee Organizations

Rates include two hours of bowling and shoe rental for up to 7 people per lane.

Friday and Saturday Nights (Glow Bowling)

  • Start times after 5:30pm are $22.88 per lane ($25 after tax)
  • Start times 5:30pm or earlier receive cheaper rates listed below
  • No set start times

Saturday Daytime (Glow Bowling)

  • Start times are 10:00am (GB), 12:30pm (GB), 3:00pm (GB), 5:30pm (GB)
  • $18.31 per lane ($20 after tax)

Sunday (Glow Bowling from 4pm-6pm)

  • Start times are 1:00pm and 4:00pm
  • $18.31 per lane ($20 after tax)

Any Other Time We are Open

  • $13.73 per lane ($15 after tax)
  • No set start times

Glow Bowl

Friday nights, all day on Saturdays, and from 4pm-6pm on Sundays are Glow Bowl times with loud music, moving lights, flashing lights and black lights. We encourage guests to wear white or neon clothing to take advantage of the black light effects! Friday and Saturday nights are typically a little louder and wilder because we're full of UT students. Saturday days and Sundays are typically a little more tame for the younger ones. Glow bowl times are:

  • Friday, 5:00pm-midnight
  • Saturday, 10:00am-10:00pm (varies on home football game days)
  • Sunday, 3:30pm-6:00pm

Rates for After Hours Events

If we just can't find a time during our normal operating hours that works for your group, try an after hours rental! Rates are the same for both UT organizations and public groups.

Two Hour, Four Lane Bowling Lane Rental, $200 + tax

  • Four bowling lanes
  • Use of 2 round tables behind your lanes
  • Bowling Shoe rental for up to 20 people (bowling shoes are required to bowl)
  • Maximum attendance 50 people (includes chaperones and those "just watching")
  • Other groups may be booked on our other eight lanes
  • $100 for each additional hour

Two Hour, Half Center Rental, $300 + tax (BETTER VALUE)

  • Six bowling lanes
  • Five billiard tables
  • One table tennis table
  • Use of 3 round tables behind your lanes
  • Bowling shoe rental for up to 30 people (bowling shoes are required to bowl)
  • Maximum attendance 75 people (includes chaperones and those "just watching")
  • Another group may be booked on our other six lanes
  • $150 for each additional hour

Two Hour, Entire Center Rental, $500 + tax (BEST VALUE)

  • Twelve bowling lanes
  • Eleven billiard tables
  • Two table tennis tables
  • Use of all seating areas and lounge space
  • Access to all the bowling rental shoes we have (bowling shoes are required to bowl)
  • "Glow Bowl" available at no extra charge
  • Maximum attendance 175 people (includes chaperones and those "just watching")
  • No other groups will be booked during your event
  • $250 for each additional hour

Extra Requirements for After Hours Rentals

Since Down Under only employees UT students, there may be times that we simply do not have the staff available to accept your reservation (especially between school terms or on holidays). After hours rentals require that an "After Hours Rental Application" be completed and delivered to the Down Under Recreation Coordinator along with a 50% NON-REFUNDABLE deposit a minimum of two weeks prior to your event. The remainder is due prior to the start of your event.

Group Reservation Policies

The following policies apply to all group reservations in Down Under:

  • ADVANCE RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO RECEIVE GROUP RATES
  • PRICING: Only the Recreation Coordinator may accept group reservations and/or offer discounted pricing. Please contact Amy Anderson at 974-1077 or amyanderson@utk.edu. Groups must rent at least two lanes to qualify for group rates. Unless otherwise noted, all rates are plus tax.
  • LOW ATTENDANCE: We know it is hard to pinpoint exactly how many lanes you will need, but we also can't reserve a large number of lanes and then the group not use or pay for those lanes. So, if on the day of your event, your attendance is lower than expected, you may cancel ONE lane without penalty. For example, if you reserve five lanes, and have lower attendance than expected, you may ask to cancel one lane and only pay for four. You may not cancel more than one lane, since reserving the lanes for you kept us from reserving them for someone else.
  • ARRIVE EARLY: It sometimes takes longer to park and enter Down Under than you think it will. Plan to arrive early so that you get to bowl the entire two hours. You may pick up your bowling rental shoes 15 minutes before your scheduled start time so that you are ready to go when the lanes come on. We typically leave thirty minutes between groups to allow them to clear out, us to clean, and the next group to set up.
  • LATE GROUPS must notify Down Under staff at 974-3450 by your reservation start time or your reservation may be cancelled. If there is no one else waiting for the lanes you reserved, you may be allowed to bowl beyond your scheduled time so you get the two full hours. However, if another group is waiting, you must surrender the lanes by at least 15 minutes prior to their start time.
  • UT FOOTBALL: No group reservations will be accepted for home football game days.
  • TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS must have a valid tax exempt certificate on file here prior to the event. Forms may be faxed to 865-974-1060. If you do fax the form, please speak with Amy to ensure it has been received, as our fax machine is three floors up and is used by many people. It is always wise to carry a copy of your tax exempt certificate "just in case." If we do not have a copy of your exemption certificate on file, and you do not bring one the day of your event, then you WILL be required to pay sales tax.
  • CHILDREN must be CHAPERONED at all times. A minimum of one chaperone for every ten children is required.
  • FOOD: You are welcome to eat in the scoring area, but DO NOT take food or drink up onto the wooden approach area. Please NOTIFY Down Under staff of any spills IMMEDIATELY.
  • BOWLING SHOES are required to bowl. Please do not wear these outside of Down Under, since this will track outside dirt and water onto the approaches. If you must leave the area please change back into your street shoes.
  • BOWLING BALLS are to be rolled one at a time. Please do not roll more than one ball at once. If a ball becomes stuck on the lane, do not roll another ball at it, as this can cause expensive damage to the pinsetter equipment. Anyone violating this policy will first receive a warning. Any further violation will result in the lane being turned off for five minutes for each occurrance.
  • LIGHTWEIGHT BOWLING BALLS are kept behind the counter. If needed, please ask Down Under staff for a six pound ball. Limit one ball per lane, so children will need to share..
  • BUMPERS are available for the younger children only. They are not designed to support a heavy ball being rolled by a teenager or adult.
  • RATES are subject to change and are not valid with any other offer.

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