SJSinNYC,
I would imagine going to a bowling alley is different then a bar/restaurant. People go to a bowling alley to go bowling and food is an added convenience that not everyone there uses. On the other hand people go to a bar or a restaurant mainly for the food/drinks.
I still think this argument is DUMB though. You want to argue whether it’s good or not to go to a bar, do that. Why be busy with being dan l’kaf zchus these boys or not?! We have no idea who they are if they in fact exist!