Robbers threatened a worker at New York Thunderbowl bowling alley while customers were still inside before making off with more than £800.
They held a female staff member in a headlock on Tuesday before raiding the till.
A black woman of about 30 entered the bowling alley at about 10pm and went into the manager's office.
A white man, possibly with a shaved head followed her.
The woman robber threatened a staff member, held her in a headlock and demanded money from the till.
The female robber was carrying a blue holdall which police believe was used to stash the money.
The man may have already been in the bowling alley and police cordoned off the public telephone in the lobby while a forensics team inspected it yesterday.
They both drove off along Rockingham Road at high speed in a silver Peugeot 306.
The pair drove quickly through red lights in the town centre before heading towards Geddington along Stamford Road.