Did you bowl at Don Carter’s or Cloverleaf? Here’s what Miami landmarks looked like

Saturday morning youth leagues. A hot dog and a beer. A Friday night date. The thunder of the roll and the clack of the pins.

Bowling in Miami is now an endangered species.

A few old-style alleys still exist, but most of them are gone, along with the peeling paint, greasy snack bars and sweaty rental shoes. In their place: a few boutique bowling alleys with better food, neon lights and lots of sports on TV.

Let’s take look at the bowling alleys of yore through the photo archives of the Miami Herald:

Bowling lanes at Miami Beach Convention Hall in 1967.
Bowling lanes at Miami Beach Convention Hall in 1967.
Jossie Lynn Martinez of Miami, 1971 Miss Tournament of the Americas, looks out from a “forest” of pins while inviting bowlers to the ninth annual Tournament of the Americas at Cloverleaf Lanes in North Miami-Dade.
Jossie Lynn Martinez of Miami, 1971 Miss Tournament of the Americas, looks out from a “forest” of pins while inviting bowlers to the ninth annual Tournament of the Americas at Cloverleaf Lanes in North Miami-Dade.
Ibra Nauritz shows her excitement after hitting a strike at Cloverleaf Lanes in near North Miami Beach. Nauritz was bowling with the super seniors league in 1993.
Ibra Nauritz shows her excitement after hitting a strike at Cloverleaf Lanes in near North Miami Beach. Nauritz was bowling with the super seniors league in 1993.
In 1979, Congress Bowl in North Miami. It was demolished for a development.
In 1979, Congress Bowl in North Miami. It was demolished for a development.
Cloverleaf Lanes bowling center in 2005. It’s now a medical complex.
Cloverleaf Lanes bowling center in 2005. It’s now a medical complex.
In 1967, Richard Canicatti at Coliseum Lanes.
In 1967, Richard Canicatti at Coliseum Lanes.
The bowling balls at Holly Lakes in 1999.
The bowling balls at Holly Lakes in 1999.
Gary Yohe helps his neighbor, Stephanie Wright, 3, at Don Carter’s Tamarac Bowling Center in 1986.
Gary Yohe helps his neighbor, Stephanie Wright, 3, at Don Carter’s Tamarac Bowling Center in 1986.
Jay Waterbury shows his form while bowling at Flamingo Lanes in Broward in 1992.
Jay Waterbury shows his form while bowling at Flamingo Lanes in Broward in 1992.
At a celebrity bowling at even at Don Carter’s Lanes in Sunrise in 1995, former Miami Dolphins quarterback Earl Morrall signs an autograph for Dick Vucenic of Lauderhill.
At a celebrity bowling at even at Don Carter’s Lanes in Sunrise in 1995, former Miami Dolphins quarterback Earl Morrall signs an autograph for Dick Vucenic of Lauderhill.
In 994, a day of youth bowling at University Bowl in Davie. Justin Padilla, 2 of Pembroke Pines, cheers after his turn.
In 994, a day of youth bowling at University Bowl in Davie. Justin Padilla, 2 of Pembroke Pines, cheers after his turn.
Youngsters inspect bowling balls on one of the six lanes a 1976 open house at the new Miami Beach Youth Center.
Youngsters inspect bowling balls on one of the six lanes a 1976 open house at the new Miami Beach Youth Center.
Coral Springs Charter School tammates bowl at Sawgrass Lanes in Tamarac, Florida on Thursday, October 17, 2019.
Coral Springs Charter School tammates bowl at Sawgrass Lanes in Tamarac, Florida on Thursday, October 17, 2019.
Coral Springs Charter School eighth-grader Katarina Hagler, 13, warms drys her hand as she bowls with teammates and is on the verge of setting county, state, and national records bowling average as she competes at Sawgrass Lanes in Tamarac, Florida on Thursday, October 17, 2019.
Coral Springs Charter School eighth-grader Katarina Hagler, 13, warms drys her hand as she bowls with teammates and is on the verge of setting county, state, and national records bowling average as she competes at Sawgrass Lanes in Tamarac, Florida on Thursday, October 17, 2019.
Ida Fagan, more than 90 years old at the time, bowls in North Miami in 1983.
Ida Fagan, more than 90 years old at the time, bowls in North Miami in 1983.
In 1992, Thomas Guerriero lets the bowling ball go during a game with some friends at the Holiday Lanes in Hallandale Beach. The bowling alley, near a casino, was recently demolished.
In 1992, Thomas Guerriero lets the bowling ball go during a game with some friends at the Holiday Lanes in Hallandale Beach. The bowling alley, near a casino, was recently demolished.