Rock N' Bowl, Midnight Bowling, Xtreme Bowling - whatever you want to call it, bowling in a room full of neon light and blaring music is cool. Luckily, Rochester's got no shortage of accommodating establishments.

If you've ever shown up at a bowling alley only to be told that it's league night, these midnight bowling sessions are a pretty safe bet. Another benefit is the diversity of ages that show up for late-night bowling. "It mixes from mid-teens to probably mid-30s," says one local alley manager.

Midnight bowling is definitely set up to attract a younger, hipper crowd. A typical scene includes dimmed house lights along with glimmers of the disco, black, and strobe variety. The air is filled with the aroma of nacho cheese and pizza, and if you're lucky you can usually score some arcade machines nearby. Over the stereo: pop, hip-hop, or classic rock radio hits - unless the lanes, as some of Rochester's do, let you pick the music. Bring your own "Big Lebowski" quips, but not your own White Russians. And if you're not of age the slurpees substitute just fine.

Bowl-A-Roll (1560 Jefferson Rd, 427-7250), hosts "Cosmic Bowling" (for the record, the best midnight bowling name) on Fridays and Saturdays nights after 9 p.m.

All six AMF Bowling Centers in the Rochester area feature "Xtreme Bowling" Fridays and Saturdays, usually beginning around 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. The details vary, so call ahead or check with your local alley for details. Pete MacCracken, general manager at AMF's Empire Lanes (2400 Empire Blvd, 671-2556), notes that the Webster location will have some new and improved equipment come mid-November, including "pick-your-own music videos, a better light show, and better equipment for a more unique and fulfilling experience." Popular food at the lanes, MacCracken says, includes, "pizza, fries, lots of subs, brownie bites, nachos, quesadillas, and taco sticks," while drinks range from the standard beer and booze to "margaritas, daiquiris, and Jager bombs."

Clover Lanes (2750 Monroe Ave, 244-1484) already has the pick-your-own music video set-up, and accordingly they calls their midnight bowling "VidZone." For $25, you and your group can get a whole lane with unlimited play 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights. Clover also features free wi-fi, an in-house Salvatore's, and a newly redone bar.

Last month, this column profiled Joe McBane, who was in the process of remodeling the original MacGregor's (281 Gregory Street) into a beer lovers' paradise. McBane reports that construction is done and opening night is scheduled for Tuesday, October 23.

"We're going to have 30 draft lines of the finest beers, and we'll be open from late afternoon, serving dinner, and all night," says McBane.

McBane is still hush-hush about the bar's name, which like the title of its signature beer, is under wraps until opening. A leak on the Beercraft Blog (beercraft.wordpress.com) suggests that the local Rohrbach Brewing Company is behind the unique ale.

"I'm going to keep a little mystery to it," says McBane. "[The beer] is ready and it's awesome.

McBane continues, "Opening night all will be revealed. Just ask for a pint of McBane's."